Critical Introduction

This blog is written by first year undergraduates in the Scholars Program at the University of Maryland College Park. The purpose of our blog is to investigate and compare and contrast the different subculture gatherings of the 1960s and the contemporary era. We compared the power and exigence of each movement but contrasted the principles, method of communication, and targeted audience of each subculture gathering. We chose two distinct texts. Our first text includes a poster advertising of the “Gathering of the Tribes for a Human Be-In” movement in San Francisco, CA. Our second text consists of an Amnesty International poster advocating for human rights through the advertisement of the Bringing Human Rights Home concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. We first analyzed the audience of each text, finding similarities and differences between both, as well as the rhetorical situation/exigence that each text brought to the table. Furthermore, we explored the ethos and pathos present in each text, finding the authority/credibility and the specific emotions each text expressed through its poster. Finally, we explained the logos, mood, and imagery within each text. Through analysis and discussion with our English 101S class, we concluded that as time proceeded, subcultures of America lost the drive for a targeted audience (focused on the individual) and began to rely on reaching out to the general public in ambiguity. Expanding the audience allows for a more diverse group to take notice of subculture advertisements thus creating a larger fan base.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Amnesty International- So What? (Rhetoric for Text 2)

Amnesty International is a non-profit organization with over 3 million members that focuses its energy on human rights abuses around the world. The organization was founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson and aims to draw public attention to nations that let human rights abuses take place without an affirmative action. Amnesty International was awarded the 1977 Nobel Peace Price for its campaign against torture and the 1978 United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights. Thus, the organization has held several concerts to help spread its message such as the Secret Policeman's Ball event in London, the 1986 Conspiracy of Hope Concerts, and the 1988 Human Rights Now World Tour. The most recent concert took place in the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York just last year, featuring musicians such as Imagine Dragons, the Flaming Lips, Lauryn Hill, Tegan and Sara, the Fray, Colbie Caillat, Cake, and Pussy Riot. The aim of this concert is not simply an awareness project but a symbol of hope and collaboration between an array of artists. In this concert, Amnesty International conveys the need to halt human rights abuses through its selection of artists and its selection of poster formatting, color, and text. Pussy Riot is a Russian Feminist punk rock protest group that protests unjust laws of the Russian government and advocates for LGBT rights within Europe. It is important to note that Amnesty chose Pussy Riot to perform at the concert in order to convey the urgency of the situation and use Pussy Riot as a tool to underscore human rights. The organization also paired with a new generation of artists to inspire a new generation of activists. Thus, Amnesty used the musicians as a rhetorical tool to highlight issues such as the plight of the LGBT community, human trafficking, criminal justice, and workers' rights. Amnesty's past reputation is also a rhetorical tool because the audience expects a combination between rights advocacy and music, something Amnesty has done successfully in the past. Lastly, the poster has a man's silhouette in a hopeful stance, which is set to appeal not only to rock fans but also to all music fans. The bright yellow symbolizes the organization's ambitions while the black aims to highlight the serious issues at hand. The dream behind the organization and the symbolism of the poster and the movement thus draw out the rhetorical appeal of this text.  
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4 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 26, 2014 at 2:15 AM

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  2. UnknownFebruary 26, 2014 at 2:16 AM

    The idea of using new bands to appeal to a new generation of people is very interesting. The invitation of Pussy Riot to perform was a bold move that put forward very clear goal for the concert. While this festival wasn't as influential as the previous festivals, it still reminded the public that there is many human rights violations in the world around them.

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  3. Derien ScottFebruary 26, 2014 at 8:17 PM

    I think it is interesting how Amnesty International has used the power of music to gain a following and to spread their messages. The artists mentioned that I have heard of anyway usually make very thought provoking and eye opening music. Using this music, they have been able to continuously connect with younger generations as well which has allowed them to have a consistent following over decades.

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  4. CAGBFebruary 27, 2014 at 5:06 PM

    This is very well done! It makes me particularly interested in reading your ethos posts. I am thinking especially about Pussy Riot's recent to do (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grEBLskpDWQ). I wonder how each of these bands contribute to the ethos of the concert in general, and how the matrix of intrinsic vs extrinsic ethos works.

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