A Walk in the Night and A Dry White Season

A Walk in the Night and A Dry White Season African apartheid and discrimination that some many people had to face has become the basis for a number of books and films. â€Å"A Walk in the Night† and â€Å"A Dry White Season† are two movies that describe the oppression people of African descent had to face. The discrimination and unequal treatment had no real basis, except for selfishness, greed and the mere ability to inflict unpunished harm onto other people.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"A Walk in the Night† and â€Å"A Dry White Season† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The movie â€Å"A Walk in the Night† tells a story of an African man Mikey who has had a rough night. He is one of the workers at the local factory and is fired because he confronts the foreman, after being called a racist name â€Å"kaffir† (A Walk in the Night). This is very much representative of the society where people were able to get a way with offending others based on their race and skin color. Such behavior would not be tolerated if it was done to someone of equal status or race but for those of African descent this was acceptable. This shows how ignorant and cruel a whole nation of people can be and what sort of influence a large number of individuals can have. Mikey is outraged by such behavior and his reaction costs him his job. After he leaves the factory, he meets Joey who is caught up with the wrong crowd and leads a life of crime and unemployment. Even though Mikey wants to help Joey, he realizes how futile and pointless his efforts are because a whole society is prejudiced and will not be able to change overnight. Mikey then finds out that his girlfriend is pregnant and is feeling hopeless because he lost his job and he knows that the society they live in is very much unhealthy. He then encounters a police officer who adds to the frustration by harassing him and calling another racial name. Mikey is in such a stressed condition that he goes drinking with his neighbor Uncle Doughty. They have a heartfelt conversation because Doughty has been around for some time and knew Mikey when he was a child, as well as his mother. The climax of the movie is the scene where Uncle Doughty says: â€Å"Mikey, my boy†¦ It’s just a manner of speech.† (A Walk in the Night). This outrages Mikey and he kills Doughty. This scene shows how tired and humiliated the nature of African people was because they were facing discrimination and disrespect for so long. The movie â€Å"A Dry White Season† is another representation of discrimination towards Africans. It tells a story of a white teacher in a South African school who is asked for help by a man Gordon. Ben, the teacher, refuses, as he does not want to participate in the fight between races and societies. Even though he avoids the fight, he faces it later because he sees the unacceptable behavior of the white people. Gordon an d his wife are killed and Ben takes up the fight against the white man’s regime.Advertising Looking for essay on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The quote â€Å"Blacks lead double lives one you see and one you dont† proves how the offense and stress that the whites have caused is unseen and Native Africans are forced to live their lives in segregation and separation (A Dry White Season). In the movie, Ben represents the fight for respect and equality and portrays everyone who was in support of blacks and was not afraid to fight them. Both movies are a strong representation of events that can be seen as one of the dark spots in human history. A Dry White Season. Ex. Prod. Paula Weinstein. Beverly Hills, United States: MGM. 1989. Film. A Walk in the Night. Ex. Prod. Mickey Madoda Dube. Johannesburg, South Africa: SABC. 2000. Film.

The Trent Affair in the Civil War

The Trent Affair in the Civil War Trent Affair - Background: As the secession crisis progressed in early 1861, the departing states came together to form the new Confederate States of America. In February, Jefferson Davis was elected president and began working to achieve foreign recognition for the Confederacy. That month, he dispatched William Lowndes Yancey, Pierre Rost, and Ambrose Dudley Mann to Europe with orders to explain the Confederate position and endeavor to obtain support from Britain and France. Having just learned of the attack on Fort Sumter, the commissioners met with British Foreign Secretary Lord Russell on May 3. In the course of the meeting, they explained the Confederacys position and emphasized the importance of Southern cotton to British textile mills. Following the meeting, Russell recommended to Queen Victoria that Britain issue a declaration of neutrality in regard to the American Civil War. This was done on May 13. The declaration was immediately protested by the American ambassador, Charles Francis Adams, as it conveyed a recognition of belligerency. This afforded Confederate ships the same privileges given American ships in neutral ports and was seen as the first step toward diplomatic recognition. Though the British communicated with the Confederates through back channels during the summer, Russell rebuffed Yanceys request for a meeting shortly after the Southern victory at the First Battle of Bull Run. Writing on August 24, Russell informed him that the British government considered the conflict an internal matter and that its position would not alter unless battlefield developments or a move towards a peaceful settlement required it to change. Frustrated by a lack of progress, Davis decided to send two new commissioners to Britain. Trent Affair - Mason Slidell: For the mission, Davis chose James Mason, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and John Slidell, who had served as an American negotiator during the Mexican-American War. The two men were to emphasize the Confederacys strengthened position and the potential commercial benefits of trade between Britain, France, and the South. Traveling to Charleston, SC, Mason and Slidell intended to embark aboard CSS Nashville (2 guns) for the voyage to Britain. As Nashville appeared unable to evade the Union blockade, they instead boarded the smaller steamer Theodora. Using side channels, the steamer was able to evade the Union ships and arrived at Nassau, Bahamas. Finding they had missed their connection to St. Thomas, where they had planned to board a ship for Britain, the commissioners elected to travel to Cuba with the hope of catching a British mail packet. Forced to wait three weeks, they finally boarded the paddle steamer RMS Trent. Aware of the Confederate mission, Union Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles directed Flag Officer Samuel Du Pont to send a warship in pursuit of Nashville, which ultimately did sail, with goal of intercepting Mason and Slidell. Trent Affair - Wilkes Takes Action: On October 13, USS San Jacinto (6) arrived at St. Thomas after a patrol in African waters. Though under orders to head north for an attack against Port Royal, SC, its commander, Captain Charles Wilkes, elected to sail for Cienfuegos, Cuba after learning that CSS Sumter (5) was in the area. Arriving off Cuba, Wilkes learned that Mason and Slidell would be sailing aboard Trent on November 7. Though a well-known explorer, Wilkes had a reputation for insubordination and impulsive action. Seeing an opportunity, he took San Jacinto to the Bahama Channel with the goal of intercepting Trent. Discussing the legality of stopping the British ship, Wilkes and his executive officer, Lieutenant Donald Fairfax, consulted legal references and decided that Mason and Slidell could be considered contraband which would allow their removal from a neutral ship. On November 8, Trent was spotted and was brought to after San Jacinto fired two warning shots. Boarding the British ship, Fairfax had orders to remove Slidell, Mason, and their secretaries, as well as to take possession of Trent as a prize. Though he sent the Confederate agents across to San Jacinto, Fairfax convinced Wilkes not to make a prize of Trent. Somewhat uncertain of the legality of their actions, Fairfax reached this conclusion as San Jacinto lacked sufficient sailors to provide a prize crew and he did not wish to inconvenience the other passengers. Unfortunately, international law required that any ship carrying contraband be brought to port for adjudication. Departing the scene, Wilkes sailed for Hampton Roads. Arriving he received orders to take Mason and Slidell to Fort Warren in Boston, MA. Delivering the prisoners, Wilkes was hailed as a hero and banquets were given in his honor. Trent Affair - International Reaction: Though Wilkes was feted and initially praised by leaders in Washington, some questioned the legality of his actions. Welles was pleased with the capture, but expressed concern that Trent was not brought to a prize court. As November passed, many in the North began to realize that Wilkes actions may have been excessive and lacked legal precedent. Others commented that Mason and Slidells removal was similar to the impressment practiced by the Royal Navy which had contributed to War of 1812. As a result, public opinion began to swing towards releasing the men in order to avoid trouble with Britain. News of the Trent Affair reached London on November 27 and immediately incited public outrage. Angered, the government of Lord Palmerston viewed the incident as a violation of maritime law. As a possible war loomed between the United States and Britain, Adams and Secretary of State William Seward worked with Russell to diffuse the crisis with the former clearly stating that Wilkes acted without orders. Demanding the release of the Confederate commissioners and an apology, the British began reinforcing their military position in Canada. Meeting with his cabinet on December 25, President Abraham Lincoln listened as Seward outlined a possible solution which would appease the British but also preserve support at home. Seward stated that while stopping Trent had been consistent with international law, the failure to take it port was a severe error on the part of Wilkes. As such, the Confederates should be released â€Å"to do to the British nation just what we have always insisted all nations ought to do to us.† This position was accepted by Lincoln and two days later was presented to the British ambassador, Lord Lyons. Though Sewards statement offered no apology, it was viewed favorably in London and the crisis passed. Trent Affair - Aftermath: Released from Fort Warren, Mason, Slidell, and their secretaries embarked aboard HMS Rinaldo (17) for St. Thomas before traveling on to Britain. Though viewed as a diplomatic victory by the British, the Trent Affair showed American resolve to defend itself while also complying with international law. The crisis also worked to slow the European drive to offer the Confederacy diplomatic recognition. Though the threat of recognition and international intervention continued to loom through 1862, it receded following the Battle of Antietam and Emancipation Proclamation. With the focus of the war shifted to eliminating slavery, European nations were less enthusiastic about establishing an official connection with the South. Selected Sources US State Department: Trent AffairCivil War: The Trent Affair Library of Congress: Trent Affair

Definition of Consumption within Sociology

Definition of Consumption within Sociology In sociology, consumption is about so much more than just taking in or using up resources. Humans consume to survive, of course, but in todays world, we also consume to entertain and amuse ourselves, and as a way to share time and experiences with others. We consume not only material goods but also  services, experiences, information, and cultural products like art, music, film, and television. In fact, from the sociological perspective, consumption today is a central organizing principle of social life. It shapes our everyday lives,  our values, expectations and practices, our relationships with others, our individual and group identities, and our overall experience in the world. Consumption According to Sociologists Sociologists recognize that many aspects of our daily lives are structured by consumption. In fact, Polish sociologist Zygmunt Bauman wrote in the book Consuming Life that Western societies are no longer organized around the act of production, but instead, around consumption. This transition began in the United States in the mid-twentieth century,  after which most production jobs were moved overseas, and our economy shifted to retail and the provision of services and information. As a consequence, most of us spend our days consuming rather than producing goods. On any given day, one might travel to work by bus, train, or car; work in an office that requires electricity, gas, oil, water, paper, and a host of consumer electronics and digital goods; purchase a tea, coffee, or soda; go out to a restaurant for lunch or dinner; pick up dry cleaning; purchase health and hygiene products at a drug store; use purchased groceries to prepare dinner, and then spend the evening watching television, enjoying social media, or reading a book. All of these are forms of consumption. Because consumption is so central to how we live our lives, it has taken on great importance in the relationships we forge with others. We often organize visits with others around the act of consuming, whether that be sitting down to eat a home-cooked meal as a family, taking in a movie with a date, or meeting friends for a shopping excursion at the mall. In addition, we often use consumer goods to express our feelings for others through the practice of gift-giving, or notably, in the act of proposing marriage with an expensive piece of jewelry. Consumption is also a central aspect of the celebration of both secular and religious holidays, like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween. It has even become a political expression, like when we buy ethically produced or sourced goods, or engage in a boycott of a certain product or brand. Sociologists also see consumption as an important part of the process of forming and expressing both individual and group identities. In Subculture: The Meaning of Style, sociologist Dick Hebdige observed that identity is often expressed through fashion choices, which allows us to classify people as hipsters or emo, for example. This happens because we choose consumer goods that we feel say something about who we are. Our consumer choices are often meant to reflect our values and lifestyle, and in doing so, send visual signals to others about the kind of person we are. Because we associate certain values, identities, and lifestyles with consumer goods, sociologists recognize that some troubling implications follow the centrality of consumption in social life. We often make assumptions, without even realizing it, about a person’s character, social standing, values, and beliefs, or even their intelligence, based on how we interpret their consumer practices. Because of this, consumption can serve processes of exclusion and marginalization in society  and can lead to conflict across lines of class, race or ethnicity, culture, sexuality, and religion. So, from the sociological perspective, theres much more to consumption than meets the eye. In fact, theres so much to study about consumption that theres a whole subfield dedicated to it: the sociology of consumption.

Inditex(Zara) Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Inditex(Zara) - Case Study Example The United States of America is acknowledged to be a graveyard for European retailers. Everyone who goes there is believed to have struggled with comparisons to Laura Ashley’s shutting down and Benetton’s declining. The US is believed to be a complex market as shopping malls are located in the middle of nowhere while the real fashionistas live around the East and West coasts. In addition, everyone nowadays is dressing in Wal-Mart, the Gap and T. J. Maxx. If one is to open a successful fashion retail stores in the US, they would have to open at least 300 and focus all their energy into it to make it work. Another problem causing the inability of Inditex (Zara) to break the US market is a matter of size. For starters, the store is European which means it makes European style clothes. The clothes just would not fit in the US fashion where most of the clothes are for small bodied people. Therefore, Inditex would have to ask themselves why make production more complex? More money would have to go into producing new clothes that fit the US market. Inditex is a pioneer in the fashion industry essentially imitating the latest fashion trends and speed the cheaper imitated versions into stores. Badia (2009) Every one of their brands follow the Zara brand: trendy, decent but inexpensive products sold to people in beautiful, high-end stores. Zara has similar prices to the Gap with coats going for $200, T-shirts at $30 and sweaters for $70. Inditex now makes 840 million clothes every year and has around 5,900 stores located in 85 different countries. Arnarsson (2009) stated those numbers keep changing as in recent years, the company has already been opening more than one store a day or about 500 every year. Recently, there are around 4400 stores located in Europe and about 2000 Spain only. The company’s roots go back in 1963 when the railway worker’s son, Ortega, started a company making robes and housecoats in La Coruna. Oshea (2012) reveals he opened his

New Media and Consumer Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

New Media and Consumer Behaviour - Essay Example The different kinds of social media that can be used to market products include social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, badoo, MySpace, blogs, and others. In understanding the use of social media for marketing purposes, there are several terms that must be understood. Such terms include the term social media itself. Social media can be defined as the usage of mobile and web based technologies to communicate and maintain dialogue. Social media usually allows interactions to take place across multiple platforms. Social content on the other hand refers to material such as blogs and micro blogs that form part of the social networking experience (Zarrella 2009, p. 1). The increased use of social media has had a huge impact on the way that consumers relate with the marketers and how they relate with the different products. The impact of social media on the relationship has mostly been a positive one where a higher level of interaction has been achieved. There have however been s ome negative impacts on the dependence on social media on the relationship between customers and brands. It has for example been suggested that the use of social media has led to a decrease in brand loyalty among consumers. The positive benefits of the use of social media however outweigh the negative impacts and it is therefore important for the marketers to understand the power and the potential of the social media on their products (Tuten 2008, p. 10). The change or shift in consumer behavior has made it necessary for marketers to adopt the new strategies to market their products. Most consumers have adopted online shopping as opposed to physically visiting the stores. This means that there is a large group of potential clients that are easily reached through the use of the social media. There has also been an increase in the amount of online activity by the potential shoppers which has made it necessary for marketers to venture online to reach more customers. This has therefore made it easier for the marketers to reach the potential clients. The increase in the number of social networking sites that are available have also meant that more consumers can be found in the social networking sites. It has indeed been stated that the social networking sites are responsible for the revolution that has been see in the consumer behavior. The social networking sites provide the consumers and the marketers a means to interact without being limited by geographical or time boundaries. It also provides the marketer a means to interact with the consumer without being limited by their budget (Kabani & Brogan 2010, p. 8). The social media has also improved the relationship between the clients or consumers and the different companies in that is more usable than the traditional means of interaction between the consumers and the clients. The technology that is used in the social media simplifies the process of interaction and is generally more user friendly. This mean that peo ple can use, simplify and even reinvent communications and the messages that are being communicated. The accessibility of the social media or social networking sites also improve the relationship between the consumers and the product. most of the social networking sites such as facebook and twitter are accessible via many means including through the use of internet enabled mobile phones. This means that they are widely accessible thus interaction will be more efficient. For

Propaganda during World War 1 and World War 2 Research Paper

Propaganda during World War 1 and World War 2 - Research Paper Example In 1914 the War Propaganda Bureau were created in Great Britain. Bureau implemented propaganda among the soldiers and the population of the foreign countries.   In August 1915 the propaganda service was created in France. The activity was held by means of leaflets spreading. In 1917 the United States Committee on Public Information ruled by George Creel was created. The main task of the committee was to mobilize the public opinion inside of the country to support both the participation of America in War and the peacemaking efforts of Wilson due to the public opinion split straight after the war was declared. Creel’s committee started working not having any tested tools of mass media. Thus, it was necessary to improvise. As that time there was no developed radio and television for the fast spreading of information, the committee formed the mobile groups of volunteers. The main goal of such organizations was to make people think that the opponents wanted to destroy the country and they were not going to stop (Lasswell, 1972:40). The activity of the created organizations, which dealt with propaganda were successful and brought good results. For example, more people started entering such organizations as Red Cross. Less people tended to join those who propagated the end of the war and peace establishment (McQuail, 1969:5). Germany became the victim of the informational and psychological operations of the opponents. Under the informational pressure the revolution started in Germany and led to its failure.

Hell angels the Motorcycle riders Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hell angels the Motorcycle riders - Essay Example It was not long before other chapters throughout California were established and the group gained increasing prominence. During these early years the insignia and many membership elements were established (Winterhalder 2005). Today for an individual to become a member of the Hell’s Angels they must be a white male, have a driver’s license, an American made working motorcycle, and can never have applied to be a police officer or prison guard (Winterhalder 2005). Similar to the mafia there are a highly structured variety of stages an individual must progress through – including hang around, associate, and prospect stages – before becoming a fully-fledged member (Winterhalder 2005). Today there are over one hundred chapters of the Hell’s Angels. Surprisingly these chapters are not limited to the United States, but are spread out over 29 countries globally, with the first international chapter established in New Zealand in 1961 (Winterhalder 2005). While the members of Hell’s Angels contend they make great contributions to society, they have also been involved in a high number of criminal incidents. Perhaps the most seminal incident occurred at the 1969 Altamont Free Concert, a free Rolling Stones concert (Lavigne 2010). The Hell’s Angels were hired as security for the event, but during one incident greatly overstepped their bounds and killed one of the concertgoers. This incident is only the most publicized in a long-history of criminal incidents. In recent years the Hell’s Angels were involved in a shooting in Sparks, Nevada. Jeffrey Pettigrew, president of the San Jose chapter, was shot in the back two times by members of a rival gang (Lavigne 2010). In 2002 another incident occurred in Nevada. Referred to the River Run Riot the Hell’s Angels engaged in physical conflict on the casino floor (Lavigne 2010). This incident