Run DMC and the Commodification of Subcultures - 998 Words

What can the Rap Group Run-D.M.C tell us about the commodification of subcultures and how the style of a subculture can be sold to the mainstream, how does this redefine Hip-hop? Introductory Section: From the socio-economic struggles of 1970s New York, a new kind of subculture emerged with a new style of music known as Hip-hop. The group Run-D.M.C pioneered, to some extent the transformation of Hip-hop from an underground phenomenon to a genre recognised as mainstream and an asoect of pop-culture. Run-D.M.C produced the first rap album to go tripple platinum and the first rap song to be featured on the 24 hour music channel, MTV. The group became increasingly popular throughout the 190s and because of this, the style of the subculture they represented was sold to the mainstream not only through Music, but other forms of Media. The Album Raising Hell released in 1986 is an important album to discuss. Particular tracks from this album are examples from Run-D.M.Cs career that could be used to discuss the commodification of the group, therefore the subculturethey represent. The tracklist includes songs that introduce the merging of seperate subcultures to make them mainstream, the selling of style and brand directly through music and the continual promotion of the group post the peak of their popularity. I will discuss what Run-D.M.C exemplifies and the implications that this has on Hip-hop, does becoming pop dismiss the authenticity of a genre and the origins of a

The John Peter Zenger Trial

John Peter Zenger was born in Germany in 1697. He immigrated to New York with his family in 1710. His father died during the voyage, and his mother, Joanna, was left to support him and his two siblings. At the age of 13, Zenger was apprenticed for eight years to the prominent printer William Bradford who is known as the pioneer printer of the middle colonies. They would form a brief partnership after the apprenticeship before Zenger decided to open his own printing shop in 1726. When Zenger would be later brought to trial, Bradford would remain neutral in the case.   Zenger Approached by Former Chief Justice Zenger was approached by Lewis Morris, a chief justice who had been removed from the bench by Governor William Cosby after he ruled against him. Morris and his associates created the â€Å"Popular Party† in opposition to Governor Cosby and needed a newspaper to help them spread the word. Zenger agreed to print their paper as the New York Weekly Journal. Zenger Arrested for Seditious Libel At first, the governor ignored the newspaper which made claims against the governor including his having arbitrarily removed and appointed judges without consulting the legislature. However, once the paper began to grow in popularity, he decided to put  a stop to it.  Zenger was arrested and a formal charge of seditious libel was made against him on November 17, 1734. Unlike today where libel is only proven when the published information is not only false but intended to harm the individual, libel at this time was defined as holding the king or his agents up to public ridicule. It did not matter how true the printed information was. Despite the charge, the governor was unable to sway a grand jury. Instead, Zenger was arrested based on prosecutors’ â€Å"information,† a way to circumvent the grand jury. Zengers case was taken before a jury. Zenger Defended by Andrew Hamilton Zenger was defended by Andrew Hamilton, a Scottish lawyer who would eventually settle in Pennsylvania. He was not related to Alexander Hamilton. However, he was important in later Pennsylvania history, having helped design Independence Hall. Hamilton took the case on pro bono. Zengers original lawyers had been stricken from the attorneys list due to the corruption that surrounded the case. Hamilton was able to successfully argue to the jury that Zenger was allowed to print things as long as they were true. In fact, when he was not allowed to prove that the claims were true through evidence, he was able to eloquently argue to the jury that they saw the evidence in their everyday lives and therefore didnt need additional proof. Results of the Zenger Case The result of the case did not create a legal precedent because a jury’s verdict does not change the law. However, it had a huge impact on the colonists who saw the importance of a free press to hold the government power in check. Hamilton was lauded by New York colonial leaders for his successful defense of Zenger. Nonetheless, individuals would continue to be punished for publishing information harmful to the government until state constitutions and later the US Constitution in the Bill of Rights would guarantee a free press. Zenger continued to publish the New York Weekly Journal until his death in 1746. His wife continued to publish the paper after his death. When his eldest son, John, took over the business he only continued to publish the paper for three more years.

Frederick Douglass The Rise of a Slave Essay example

he Rise of a Slave Frederick Douglass is a former slave who made great effort in order to obtain freedom. He is born into slavery in the state of Maryland and he barely knows his parents. Douglass is unique compare to other slaves because he learns how to read and write. He found a way to escape from his master and settles in Massachusetts. Frederick Douglass writes his text to abolish slavery and to change it as well; he plays an important role in securing the equal rights of African-Americans and the abolition of slavery. Frederick Douglass went through tough and undeserved treatment from the majority of his masters which took him through trials of slavery that enabled him to gain his education, gain his manhood and gain his freedom.†¦show more content†¦Douglass starts his own Sabbath school which he devotes his Sundays off to teach the slaves how to read and write. He holds the Sabbath school at a free colored man’s house. He has over forty slaves in his Sabbath s chool, men and women who has great desire and devotion to learn. Douglass said â€Å"I had at one time over forty scholars, and those of the right sort, ardently desiring to learn. They were all ages, mostly men and women† (Douglass 553). Douglass effort in being literate started under injunction and secrecy. He learns to read and write when he was still a slave and that directly puts him in a very dangerous position because to teach a slave to read is illegal and forbidden. Douglass is taught by Sophia Auld, the wife of his owner at the time. Mr. Auld discovers that his wife is teaching Douglass how to read and write. He immediately rebukes her teaching a slave how to read and write is a crime and it is unwise to do so. In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave Mr. Auld explains why it is unwise to teach a slave how to read and write and says, â€Å"If you teach that nigger how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master. As to himself, it could do him no good but a great deal of harm. It would make him discontented and unhappy† (Douglass 531). Mr. Auld’s words proves prophetic, Brian R. Warnick agreesShow MoreRelatedNarrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass1351 Words   |  6 Pagesperiod English 1/4/16 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Research Paper Frederick Douglass positively influenced the United States politically and peacefully, as reflected in the literature of the Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass. His work described slavery and provided key information to show the world how slavery really was. Frederick Douglass showed America how terrible the life as a slave was. Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Talbot County, Maryland. He was unsure aboutRead MoreFrederick Douglass, An American Slave1114 Words   |  5 Pages Frederick Douglass is well known for many of his literary achievements. He is best known, now, as a writer. As a writer, Frederick Douglass shined. As a speaker, he was the best. There was no abolitionist, black or white, that was more for his speaking skills. (McFeely, 206) So impressive were Frederick Douglass’s oratorical and intellectual abilities that opponents refused to believe that he had been a slave and alleged that he was a impostor brought up on the public byRead MoreEssay Frederick Douglass and Slavery1448 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass and Slavery Frederick Douglass the most successful abolitionist who changed America’s views of slavery through his writings and actions. Frederick Douglass had many achievements throughout his life. His Life as a slave had a great impact on his writings. His great oratory skills left the largest impact on Civil War time period literature. All in all he was the best black speaker and writer ever. Douglass was born a slave in 1817, in Maryland. He educatedRead MoreAn Analysis Of Frederick Douglass s The Light Of Anti Abolitionism 941 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July† was brilliantly written by Frederick Douglass in the heat of anti-abolitionism. The speech was well written and executed by using imagery and language, using emotional tones to garner sympathy and understanding, and the overarching idea that slavery was wrong. The tone all through the speech shows the passion and fervor Mister Douglass was feeling that day and really goes to show why this speech is fantastic. To start, Frederick Douglass uses heavy andRead MoreNarrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass1243 Words   |  5 Pages Frederick Douglass slave owner was his dad. This book is Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. The author is Frederick Douglass of his narrative. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery he was working on the farm by age 7. His dad ( Fred’s slave owner ) whipped him as well as Fred’s mom. He was born in Tuckahoe, near Hillsborough, and about twelve miles from Easton, in Talbot county, Maryland. â€Å"I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containingRead MoreFrederick Douglass And Slavery.1438 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass and Slavery Frederick Douglass the most successful abolitionist who changed America’s views of slavery through his writings and actions. Frederick Douglass had many achievements throughout his life. His Life as a slave had a great impact on his writings. His great oratory skills left the largest impact on Civil War time period literature. All in all he was the best black speaker and writer ever. Douglass was born a slave in 1817, in Maryland. He educatedRead MoreTranscendentalism In Emersons The Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass1735 Words   |  7 Pageswith great ease and alacrity; after all, vague ideals seem easy enough to adopt when merely on paper. We experience difficulties, however, when forced to translate these beliefs into actions. In Frederick Douglass’s 1845 The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, the self-agency Douglass utilizes to escape the bondage of slavery seems similar to the actualization that comes through trusting one’s own interior instincts Ralph Waldo Emerson urges readers to cultivate in his 1841Read MoreFrederick Douglass Should Be Considered A Maryland State1471 Words   |  6 PagesFrederick Douglass should be considered a Maryland State Author despite the deplorable societal conditions that constrained lives of African-Americans. Frederick Douglass managed to rise above them, and as cended from the society’s lowest conditions of slavery and racism, to become an important, and a strong proponent of change in the ancient American society. Because of his enthusiasm to work towards achieving change for himself and for society, he has received tribute of admiration from variousRead MoreCompare and Contrast Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass740 Words   |  3 Pages sermons, speeches and memoirs of slaves. Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass were two abolitionist writers. They were similar in some ways and different in others (â€Å"Abolition†). Harriet Beecher Stowe was born in Connecticut in 1811 as the daughter of Reverend Lyman Beecher who was active in the anti-slavery movement. She wrote articles for the newspaper as means to support her family. Harriet saw the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (allowed escaped slaves to be re-enslaved) to be immoral.Read MoreNarrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass1730 Words   |  7 Pagesthe most well-known slavery narratives was lived and written by Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was a civil rights activist who was born into slavery on a plantation in eastern Maryland in February 1818. His exact birth date is unknown, he states in his narrative, â€Å"I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it.†2 His birth name was Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, which was given by his mother Harriet

Marketing and Competitive Environment and Strategy

Question: Discuss about the Marketing and Competitive Environment and Strategy. Answer: Introduction The report provides an insight into the marketing plan for the La Trobe University in Australia. It is a multi campus university with a flagship campus situated in the Melbourne suburb. The university was established in 1964 and knows as the third largest university in Victoria. The University Stands at 12th place in all over Australia. It is a verdant university and a well-known member of the Innovative research university. . The university offers undergraduate and post graduate courses through its colleges of Art, Science, Commerce and science Technology. In 2015, the University was ranked in the top 100 universities as per Times Higher Education World University Rankings (About Vision. 2017). The La Trobe University very well works with the student, staff and the community in order to make sustainable environment. They have undertaken responsibility in order to prepare leaders for tomorrow. There purpose is to recognize the sustainability encompassing economic, social and cultural dynamics. . Like this the university has become a leading sustainable university in Australia. The brochure of university very well represents the environmental sustainability. The University is very well-known for the innovation and research projects carried by them in the recent time. Moreover it attracts students from abroad to pursue post graduate courses and research projects. Special scholarships are also provided by the university to those students who have secured good results in their previous exams (About Us, 2017). The current Australian market in terms of education industry has lot of potential. Apart from the local student there is competition from the other Universities located in other states. In coming years the industry will see a growth in the sector. Segmentation target market The market is currently focusing on the students from the local as well as from other countries. In recent time there is an increase in the students from other countries. Scholarship and finance assistance need to be given to those who are in need. In this manner the University can see a sustainable growth in the coming time. The University Stands at 12th place in all over Australia. It is a verdant university and a well-known member of the Innovative research university. The metropolitan campus of the university is one of the largest in the country. The University is providing specialized knowledge and has an effective marketing distribution. Competitor analysis of a close competitor/competing brand There is an excess competition from the other Universities. The university has very well recognized sustainability across various operation, curriculum and research. The university has embedded sustainability in its practice by engaging staff, student, employers and partners The metropolitan campus of the university is one of the largest in the country. The two other major campuses of the university are located in regional Victorian city of Bendigo and Albury- Wodonga. It is one of the finest Universities located in Australia SWOT analysis Strength Multi campus university The third largest university in Victoria Stands at 12th place in all over Australia Metropolitan campus of the university is one of the largest in the country Very well works with the student, staff and the community in order to make sustainable environment. Became a leading sustainable university in Australia Weakness Excessive competition from the other universities located in Australia. Need to carry out new programmes focusing on career oriented training Campaigning process is weak as compared to the Universities Less oversee admissions as compared to the decided goals Opportunities Opportunity to develop the campus in order seeks attention from local and international students. To add more programs in the curriculum Exchange programme will help in adding value to the University To attract more international students Add efficient faculty in order to provide efficient quality education Threats Excessive competition Limited seats creates excessive competition for international students Faculty switch PESTLE Analysis Political The Australian government is in support of promoting education. For the purpose public universities are allotted with special grant. La Trobe is a multi campus university with a flagship campus situated in the Melbourne suburb. Stable government in the country makes less fluctuation in the rules and regulation (Cravens Piercy, 2006). International student receive safety and security assurance. Economic The net disposable income of domestic population is high. More investment in the field of education is likely to increase in near future. Education loan and support is provided easily for students who want to pursue high education. Social More attention is given to the employment based knowledge. People are likely to spend as per the current economic condition. Moreover there is a flow of income from Asian countries due to increase in number of international students (Wood, 2008). Technological Technology is given special preference at every level in the University The University is centrally operated through technology Students are connected through online system where all the projects and paper submission are done on system. Legal The University is a registered body The university is well operated from 1964 providing quality education. Environmental The university has very well recognized sustainability across various operation, curriculum and research. University is been focusing on developing sustainable environment for the students. Recommendations It is essential for the university to develop itself according to the current requirement. There are already many Universities delivering quality education. Under such a competitive atmosphere it is necessary to focus on every aspect. The university needs to add exchange programme into curriculum so that they attain sustainable results. More focus need to be given to the international students. There is an increase in the number of international participation (Cohen, 2005). Adding more programmes to the curriculum will help the university in gaining significant result. Short term courses should be added in the overall curriculum. This will help in attaining effective result. The campaigning process need to be managed on the basis of the international students. The recent trends have shown that there is an increase in international admissions (Jain Haley, 2009; University College strategic Marketing plan 2015-2017, 2017). Conclusion To conclude it is necessary that the marketing plan of the University should be student centric. It is a verdant university and a well-known member of the Innovative research university. The metropolitan campus of the university is one of the largest in the country. The report very well defines the marketing plan that focus on developing the efficiencies. The SWOT and PESTLE analysis help in understanding the macro environmental factors. The university needs to manage the education system by stabilizing the competitive environment. In this manner they can earn competitive edge over the other Universities brand. References About Us (2017).(Online). Retrieved from: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/ (Accessed on: 25 March 2017) About Vision. 2017).(Online). Retrieved from: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/about/vision (Accessed on: 25 March 2017) Cohen, W. A. (2005). The marketing plan. John Wiley Sons. Cravens, D. W., Piercy, N. (2006).Strategic marketing(Vol. 7). New York: McGraw-Hill. Jain, S. C., Haley, G. T. (2009).Marketing planning and strategy. Cincinnati South-Western Publishing Company 1985. University College strategic Marketing plan 2015-2017. (2017).(Online). Retrieved from: https://uc.kennesaw.edu/resources/resources_docs/uc_marketing_plan_2015_2017.pdf (Accessed on: 25 March 2017) Wood, M. B. (2008).The marketing plan handbook. Pearson Prentice Hall.