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.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

The Logos Behind Amnesty International

Not only does Amnesty International establish a sense of credibility but also establishes an appeal to the emotion of its followers, audience, and promoters. However, the organization relies heavily on establishing the logos, or appeal to rational thought, logic, and facts behind their cause as well. After all, what would a human rights organization be if it could not logistically present the unjust crimes committed around the world through graphs, statistics, and startling facts. One look at Amnesty's main web page and you will soon be confronted with dozens of images and facts ranging from mass slaughters in the Central African Republic to the arrest of Yevgeniy Vitishko in Sochi, Russia. The organization is up to date with current events and constantly reveals injustices very candidly through the website, through commercials, and through advertisements. The logo of Amnesty, which is of a lit candle surrounded by barbed wire, also conveys a rational approach to human rights. The lit candle represents hope amidst barbed wire, which represents oppression. The combination of the candle and the barbed wire makes it known to the world that Amnesty stands for good and retaliation. The main colors of Amnesty International are black, yellow, and white and have been for a very long time. Thus, the constant continuation of the logo and the colors ingrains the symbols of the organization into the mind of the public and further embellishes their goal to maintain an equal world for all individuals.
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 3, 2014 at 7:05 AM

    The way in which Amnesty International includes a report of the issues that they are trying to stop really helps their cause. Amnesty International puts a lot of work into helping others and just wants other people to put at least a small effort into helping.

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  2. CAGBMarch 3, 2014 at 8:17 AM

    Great post and good connection to outside texts. I wonder also, if this ad logically connects hope (candle) and music (guitarist) in terms of their ability to ameliorate oppression. Whether that's legit or fair is up for debate.

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