This article begins by talking about how white, gay men are drawn to the Abercrombie clothing line. It’s interesting to think about what makes the brand such a magnet for white, gay men. Abercrombie was established in 1892. It quickly grew to become a prosperous outdoorsmen’s store, featuring elaborate promotions set up just like they would be in the wilderness. Even in the earliest days of its conception Abercrombie was associated with white men who lived in the leisure class. The company first created the catalog after Abercrombie had resigned. This catalog was more than 450 pages long and was shipped to over 50,000 elite white males who they hoped to make potential customers. Abercrombie began to face economic hard times until current CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch began a very successful marketing campaign that captured “playful coed shots” to glamorize the collegiate lifestyle. In 1997 Abercrombie and Fitch launched the A&F Quarterly to further promote their new image. In 1998 Abercrombie and Fitch once again became a publicly traded company.
What’s interesting about their Marketing campaign is how much they have to focus on marketing the lifestyle that their clothes provide to privileged and leisure class whites because the clothes are actually boring and homely. Abercrombie provides the Abercrombie Look Book: Guidelines for Brand Representatives of Abercrombie and Fitch to all of their Brand Representatives. These books discuss numerous topics but are broken down into five sections: Introduction, Our Past, Our Present, Our Future, and the A&F look. This book talks about all the qualities. Both personal and physical that a Brand Representative must have in order to sell the Abercrombie images, which is what ultimately sells their clothes. In all of the pages of the A&F Quarterly there are images of white men and women, but predominantly men.
Just one of the many ways that Abercrombie promotes racism is the line of “Asian” themed t-shirts that the company launched in April of 2003. These t-shirts poked fun of Asians and were protested by people in that community.
Another way to look at the way Abercrombie promotes racism is the skin color of all of their employees. In all A&F stores the sales staff is predominantly white. Similar clothing designers such as Ralph Lauren do a much better job of promoting equality as well as diversity. On June 17th, 2003 a class action lawsuit was filed against Abercrombie claiming they discriminate in their hiring practices. The author of this article believes that the elaborate creating of the A&F look was a method to avoid company exposure to lawsuits against their employment policies. The author of this article also said that every previous employee that he had spoken to were white men. It also said that they ranged in age from 19-26 and were either college educated or in college. These men told stories of how black employees were excluded from company photos, sales staff who were fired because they did not fit the Abercrombie look, and the grading scale used to rate the looks of Abercrombie employees. One previous employee also said that they were very clear in the employee type that they were looking for. They wanted the all American look, natural, no skin problems, and to look for white people.
Numerous times the author stated in this article that people are not buying the Abercrombie clothing line for the clothes; they are buying in for the life style. Having said that people have to understand that it’s all apart of their business plan and marketing campaign. It’s not being racist using implementing the right sales force to make the most of their business plan. If African Americans and Hispanics were buying their clothes it would be different. Vast majority of their clients fit the description of their typical employee and they want to be sold clothes by someone that is similar to them. It’s the same in all areas of sales. People want someone who can relate to them and that they feel comfortable with or they are not going to be willing to buy. People need to stop claiming that they are discriminating, when in all actuality they are running a very successful business that provides their customers with exactly what they want.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Takaki Chapter 12
Why did everyone view America as the land of dreams? A lot of Mexicans moved north to the United States because it was so easy for them to get across the boarder. They never needed a passport just to check in with the immigration office on the American side and change into some American clothes. Mexicans continued to flock to the United States because of the violence of the Mexican Revolution and to escape the poverty and starvation that was taking over. Many Mexicans only planned to reside in the United States for a few months or at least until peace returned but those few months quickly turned to years. The development of the Mexican railroad helped encourage workers and other Mexican citizens to move to the United States. The railroads caused a massive migration to the United States. Altogether an estimated one tenth of the Mexican population moved to the United States.
Even in the early 1900’s discrimination was present. Mexicans were only able to work industrial jobs, and were also limited by the white labor unions. Mexicans worked in a variety of different areas, always earning less than they should and never experiencing room to advance.
Mexicans were forced to stay where they were because of their contracts and the debt that they were forced into. Violation of this ultimately resulted in their arrest and then jail.
Mexicans actively participated in Labor Strikes, especially during the Great Depression. They fought for higher wages and better working conditions, frequently losing.
One page 325 it has a quote from a local media reporter threatening the Mexicans who were on strike. It reminded me of a similar situation and issue that we are currently faced with right now in regards to immigration. The idea of what to do with our current illegal immigrants in the United States and how to limit and restrict the immigration of future immigrants. The Mexicans eventually settled on a compromised wage rate.
Not only were Mexicans given crummy employment opportunities they were also excluded socially from the Anglo society. While I was reading the paragraph about how Mexicans were excluded socially I was appalled when I read the following line, “I told my friend I would rather die of starvation than to humiliate myself before the Americans by eating with the Negros” (pg 327).
How can Mexicans complain about discrimination when they discriminate against others, in this case African Americans? How can people be that hypocritical? Once again it goes back to pointing fingers just because people don’t want the fingers pointed at them. It’s a broad generalization to make but I believe that everyone shows some form of discrimination towards others. It’s all about individual comfort levels and societal pressures. I also believe that people can not be expected to be treated as equals unless they treat others with the same respects they expect to receive.
Even in the early 1900’s discrimination was present. Mexicans were only able to work industrial jobs, and were also limited by the white labor unions. Mexicans worked in a variety of different areas, always earning less than they should and never experiencing room to advance.
Mexicans were forced to stay where they were because of their contracts and the debt that they were forced into. Violation of this ultimately resulted in their arrest and then jail.
Mexicans actively participated in Labor Strikes, especially during the Great Depression. They fought for higher wages and better working conditions, frequently losing.
One page 325 it has a quote from a local media reporter threatening the Mexicans who were on strike. It reminded me of a similar situation and issue that we are currently faced with right now in regards to immigration. The idea of what to do with our current illegal immigrants in the United States and how to limit and restrict the immigration of future immigrants. The Mexicans eventually settled on a compromised wage rate.
Not only were Mexicans given crummy employment opportunities they were also excluded socially from the Anglo society. While I was reading the paragraph about how Mexicans were excluded socially I was appalled when I read the following line, “I told my friend I would rather die of starvation than to humiliate myself before the Americans by eating with the Negros” (pg 327).
How can Mexicans complain about discrimination when they discriminate against others, in this case African Americans? How can people be that hypocritical? Once again it goes back to pointing fingers just because people don’t want the fingers pointed at them. It’s a broad generalization to make but I believe that everyone shows some form of discrimination towards others. It’s all about individual comfort levels and societal pressures. I also believe that people can not be expected to be treated as equals unless they treat others with the same respects they expect to receive.
Takaki Chapter 12
Why did everyone view America as the land of dreams? A lot of Mexicans moved north to the United States because it was so easy for them to get across the boarder. They never needed a passport just to check in with the immigration office on the American side and change into some American clothes. Mexicans continued to flock to the United States because of the violence of the Mexican Revolution and to escape the poverty and starvation that was taking over. Many Mexicans only planned to reside in the United States for a few months or at least until peace returned but those few months quickly turned to years. The development of the Mexican railroad helped encourage workers and other Mexican citizens to move to the United States. The railroads caused a massive migration to the United States. Altogether an estimated one tenth of the Mexican population moved to the United States.
Even in the early 1900’s discrimination was present. Mexicans were only able to work industrial jobs, and were also limited by the white labor unions. Mexicans worked in a variety of different areas, always earning less than they should and never experiencing room to advance.
Mexicans were forced to stay where they were because of their contracts and the debt that they were forced into. Violation of this ultimately resulted in their arrest and then jail.
Mexicans actively participated in Labor Strikes, especially during the Great Depression. They fought for higher wages and better working conditions, frequently losing.
One page 325 it has a quote from a local media reporter threatening the Mexicans who were on strike. It reminded me of a similar situation and issue that we are currently faced with right now in regards to immigration. The idea of what to do with our current illegal immigrants in the United States and how to limit and restrict the immigration of future immigrants. The Mexicans eventually settled on a compromised wage rate.
Not only were Mexicans given crummy employment opportunities they were also excluded socially from the Anglo society. While I was reading the paragraph about how Mexicans were excluded socially I was appalled when I read the following line, “I told my friend I would rather die of starvation than to humiliate myself before the Americans by eating with the Negros” (pg 327).
How can Mexicans complain about discrimination when they discriminate against others, in this case African Americans? How can people be that hypocritical? Once again it goes back to pointing fingers just because people don’t want the fingers pointed at them. It’s a broad generalization to make but I believe that everyone shows some form of discrimination towards others. It’s all about individual comfort levels and societal pressures. I also believe that people can not be expected to be treated as equals unless they treat others with the same respects they expect to receive.
Even in the early 1900’s discrimination was present. Mexicans were only able to work industrial jobs, and were also limited by the white labor unions. Mexicans worked in a variety of different areas, always earning less than they should and never experiencing room to advance.
Mexicans were forced to stay where they were because of their contracts and the debt that they were forced into. Violation of this ultimately resulted in their arrest and then jail.
Mexicans actively participated in Labor Strikes, especially during the Great Depression. They fought for higher wages and better working conditions, frequently losing.
One page 325 it has a quote from a local media reporter threatening the Mexicans who were on strike. It reminded me of a similar situation and issue that we are currently faced with right now in regards to immigration. The idea of what to do with our current illegal immigrants in the United States and how to limit and restrict the immigration of future immigrants. The Mexicans eventually settled on a compromised wage rate.
Not only were Mexicans given crummy employment opportunities they were also excluded socially from the Anglo society. While I was reading the paragraph about how Mexicans were excluded socially I was appalled when I read the following line, “I told my friend I would rather die of starvation than to humiliate myself before the Americans by eating with the Negros” (pg 327).
How can Mexicans complain about discrimination when they discriminate against others, in this case African Americans? How can people be that hypocritical? Once again it goes back to pointing fingers just because people don’t want the fingers pointed at them. It’s a broad generalization to make but I believe that everyone shows some form of discrimination towards others. It’s all about individual comfort levels and societal pressures. I also believe that people can not be expected to be treated as equals unless they treat others with the same respects they expect to receive.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Takaki Chapter 6
I found its interesting how to hear how the Irish came to America. It wasn’t because they dreamed of a brighter future or land of opportunities it was because they were forced to leave. And it was just a small amount of Irish who were forced to leave it was five and a half million between 1815 and 1920. Ironically, they were being pushed out of their country in masses, “by strangers from England”. Previously the Irish had lost a vast majority of their land to English land lords and were forced to convert to the Christian religion but later found themselves defending Catholicism. Due to the push to increase exports the Irish were pushed even further into poverty. Between 1750 and 1810 Irish exports increased from 2 million to 6 million pounds. To try and overcome poverty around the 1840’s many Irish became migratory workers and were able to make enough to feed their families potatoes for a year.
In July of 1845 the potato crop was attacked with a disease. By 1855 over one million people had died from hunger and sickness. During this time many Irish fled to America in an attempt to escape the fever, disease and hunger. Over one million people had died from the Great Potato Famine.
Like many other immigrants that came to America the Irish became laborers. While many of them became laborers some Irish didn’t even make it to America. Due to the horrible conditions on their voyage over an estimated twenty percent of the emigrants dies during or because of the passage.
Conditions in Ireland failed to improve and between the years of 1855 and 1920, three million Irish moved to America. Even though they came to America looking for the land of promises they quickly realized that it wasn’t what they thought it was going to be. After an Irish labor strike, Chinese workers were brought in to fill the gaps in unemployment. The Chinese were able to increase production compared to the Irish. When contrasted with the Chinese they were often compared to blacks. According to an English traveler, “To be called an ‘Irishman’ is almost as great an insult as to be stigmatized as a ‘nigger feeler’” (pg. 150).
Even though the English viewed Blacks and Irish in the same social class standing Irish people did not treat Blacks as equals. Once again it comes back to the same issues of equality. No ethnicity or race can expect to be treated as equals when they don’t show the same equal treatment to others. As soon as the Irish began receiving jobs that were perhaps worse than those given to the slaves they began to promote their whiteness.
In July of 1845 the potato crop was attacked with a disease. By 1855 over one million people had died from hunger and sickness. During this time many Irish fled to America in an attempt to escape the fever, disease and hunger. Over one million people had died from the Great Potato Famine.
Like many other immigrants that came to America the Irish became laborers. While many of them became laborers some Irish didn’t even make it to America. Due to the horrible conditions on their voyage over an estimated twenty percent of the emigrants dies during or because of the passage.
Conditions in Ireland failed to improve and between the years of 1855 and 1920, three million Irish moved to America. Even though they came to America looking for the land of promises they quickly realized that it wasn’t what they thought it was going to be. After an Irish labor strike, Chinese workers were brought in to fill the gaps in unemployment. The Chinese were able to increase production compared to the Irish. When contrasted with the Chinese they were often compared to blacks. According to an English traveler, “To be called an ‘Irishman’ is almost as great an insult as to be stigmatized as a ‘nigger feeler’” (pg. 150).
Even though the English viewed Blacks and Irish in the same social class standing Irish people did not treat Blacks as equals. Once again it comes back to the same issues of equality. No ethnicity or race can expect to be treated as equals when they don’t show the same equal treatment to others. As soon as the Irish began receiving jobs that were perhaps worse than those given to the slaves they began to promote their whiteness.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Takaki Chapter 7: Foreigners in their Native Land
Throughout this whole class we have discussed and debated what it means to be American. Early in this chapter it says, “Ironically, the Irish had been pushed from their homeland by British colonialism, and here they found themselves becoming Americans by participating in the conquest of the Southwest”. When I read this sentence I began to think about which individuals and groups were able to assimilate into what the traditional American Society was becoming. The groups and individuals that were able to assimilate were those that didn’t fight the change by holding on to their cultural values and traditions. For example, the Indians fought to hang on, they held on, or tried to hang on, to their cultural values and beliefs.
This article discusses how the Mexicans first came to settle in California and their ways of life. Initially when Americans came they were accepted and learned the way of the life lived by the Mexicans who lived there. Eventually Americans began coming in groups that didn’t respect their way of life and caused great resistance amongst the initial settlers of California. The Bear Republic was quickly established, declaring California as a possession of the United States. Even though the initial trouble was in California the war began in Texas. The war was brutal and embarrassing to the United States. Mexico eventually, in early 1848, accepted the Rio Grande as the Texas Border and sold territory to the United States for 15 million dollars. Once again Americans began alienating people and making them feel unwelcome in their homeland. The United States gained political power and then began to deny Mexican Land Grants, giving them ownership to even more Mexican Territory. They also implemented taxes that made even more Mexicans lose their land. Soon Mexicans began working for the people who had taken over the land because they had no other options. Mexicans made up majority of cowboys, railroad workers, and workers in the mine industry. Mexicans quickly found themselves in mainly blue collared occupations, such as service and unskilled labor. For those Mexicans who did have the same jobs as Anglos they were paid significantly less. Soon Mexicans began creating associations known as mutavalistas that helped in resisting labor exploitations and racism.
It’s unfortunate and yet at the same time not surprising. It seems that in all areas of History certain groups of people are being mistreated by those who find themselves to be superior. Why they find themselves to be superior is the real question…
This article discusses how the Mexicans first came to settle in California and their ways of life. Initially when Americans came they were accepted and learned the way of the life lived by the Mexicans who lived there. Eventually Americans began coming in groups that didn’t respect their way of life and caused great resistance amongst the initial settlers of California. The Bear Republic was quickly established, declaring California as a possession of the United States. Even though the initial trouble was in California the war began in Texas. The war was brutal and embarrassing to the United States. Mexico eventually, in early 1848, accepted the Rio Grande as the Texas Border and sold territory to the United States for 15 million dollars. Once again Americans began alienating people and making them feel unwelcome in their homeland. The United States gained political power and then began to deny Mexican Land Grants, giving them ownership to even more Mexican Territory. They also implemented taxes that made even more Mexicans lose their land. Soon Mexicans began working for the people who had taken over the land because they had no other options. Mexicans made up majority of cowboys, railroad workers, and workers in the mine industry. Mexicans quickly found themselves in mainly blue collared occupations, such as service and unskilled labor. For those Mexicans who did have the same jobs as Anglos they were paid significantly less. Soon Mexicans began creating associations known as mutavalistas that helped in resisting labor exploitations and racism.
It’s unfortunate and yet at the same time not surprising. It seems that in all areas of History certain groups of people are being mistreated by those who find themselves to be superior. Why they find themselves to be superior is the real question…
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