Every year over 190,000 students study abroad each year. Continuously many students if not all, come back home from these experiences with changed thoughts and perceptions about the countries they visited.
On June 16, 2009, over 700 students enrolled in the University of Virginia’s semester at sea program embarked a two month voyage abroad; porting at eight different countries around the Mediterranean before returning home in Virginia on August 23rd. After nearly every country students were already starting to view the world a little differently in addition to the country itself.
What entity in this civilization is powerful enough to provide such false ideas about different countries and types of people to the point were it would turn into a concrete perception.
Peggy Kreshel a media studies professor of the University of Georgia says “it’s due to nations branding”.
“Nations branding is similar to brands such as Nike and or McDonald’s both have an image and attached some type of slogan that everybody knows.”
For example, McDonald’s has the golden arks as the symbol and the “I’m loving it”. In additions Nike’s symbol being the check and the slogan being “just do it”. Countries in this aspect have the same thing, such as America having the nation brand of the flag with the slogan “Land of the Free”, but such things can be altered by global media. Such media are the news, movies, history books, and more importantly television.
Shanae Strachum, a sophomore fashion design major said “Bulgaria is a country that has a negative nation brand, they are known for human trafficking according to the media and the movie “Taken” only built more superstition.”
“But after spending a couple days in the country there seemed to be a different perception, it turned to just be a party city with a lot of entertainment it nothing like the stereotype.”
Brittney Simon, another student enrolled in the semester at sea program said “my perception was definitely based on television and sometimes even history books.”
“Before I got to Egypt, I thought of it being this beautiful desert sand with pyramids, but after viewing it for myself I seen how impoverished Egypt is and how it’s not well cleaned up.”
Today’s study abroad experiences are more than just education abroad; it brings students to a level of truth. Truth of the media and how it portrays different people, and countries, and how much it affects out perception.
By Giancarlo Spells
Special thanks to Shanae Strachan, Peggy Kreshel, and Brittany Simon
For more information go to Nation Branding.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Business Around The Holidays
Due to the state of the economy many local businesses are going out of business. Facing the stressful recession, local businesses are suffering from a decrease of sales while other bigger businesses such as Wal- Mart and Target use their marketing strategies to make it through the economic storm.
The holiday season leads businesses into the New Year, starting from September all the way through February businesses make their push to end off the year on a good note. This profitable business strategy builds the base for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and the most profitable day of the year Black Fridays which is right after Thanksgiving. Such sales would not be existent if not for the marketing and sales plans.
Businesses that lack the proper marketing planning skills or outreach, more than likely attract devastating blows, economically leading into bankruptcy and closing. Others on the other hand, profit generously and receive record breaking revenues.
“If you don’t have a business plan then you are planning for failure”, said Ryan Spells business owner of A&D Graphixs.
Spells has been in business for 10 years. A&D Graphixs is a black owned business that’s in the business of advertising.
“Known for catching the eyes and making people pay attention to an advertisement even if their not interested” said Spells.
The company does many different things such as making and designing websites, flyers, business cards, brochures, logos, CD / DVD covers, tee shirts, photo editing and stationary.
Spells said “that the recession affected his line of work, because of the affect the economy had on other businesses. When the recession came about one of the first things on the budget business started looking at and cutting down on was advertising. Advertising is one of the major expenses for businesses today.”
“The recession caused me one of the slowest summers I have ever experienced, but September is the months where a lot of businesses make their push for the end of the year. Not only to market for sales but to also promote Christmas and New Years parties. For such events companies will put an order in for fliers and invitation.”
“Being that A&D Graphixs is an advertising company, my business can help other businesses that are going out of business, but first they have to find a niche within their market.”
Niche marketing is the subset of the markets on which a specific product is focusing on; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that is intended to impact.
Jorge Gaytan, a business professor at North Carolina Agricultural and
“First we must build a marketing plan, finding out who are customers are and where they are located. Second build a website to take the business from a local level to national level, selling products online is the next biggest money producer as far as sales”, said Spells.
“The market plan is essential to the success of an organization, because it forces members of that organization to engage in various preparation activities essential and critical to the beginning life stages of an organization” said Gaytan.
When comparing the success of Black owned businesses to big international companies such as Wal-Mart and Target; Spells says that those companies not only strive in marketing but also in convenience.
“What nationally run black owned business out there could you compare to Wal-Mart, those companies sell a variety of products ranging from electronics and household items to clothes and groceries. Black owned businesses usually only have one niche not a wide variety all in one business.”
So what if numerous black owned businesses with different niches linked up and became as powerful as a Wal-Mart and a Target. Could the missing link within the idea of success just be collaboration and cooperation? What is the next big step for black owned businesses to reach the next level?
By Giancarlo Spells
Special Thanks to Kelvon Barkley, Ryan Spells, and Jorge Gaytan
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
College- Is it an Instituion of Higher Learning
In the mist of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, Wartmouth T.Gibbs, President of North Carolina A&T said “We don’t teach are students what to think, but how to think.” Today our society has changed such concrete environment to the complete opposite; not only are students taught what to think, but also how to think about whatever issue maybe. Is College really an institution of higher learning or is it just an institution of regular training.
Could it be that our college educational system is suffering from a term called “group think”, a term used to describe a group unwilling to look over the overall consensus of the herd. In times it is out of the lack of drive or ambition to ask original questions to arrive at genuine answers. But more importantly and dangerously it is also an accordance that ponds from the fear of looking foolish in front of peers.
Today’s College Institutions relies heavily upon the country’s economic systems, especially concerning jobs. Many students are forced to face difficult decisions, of whether they should pursue their passion, or work within a major that pays a good amount of money so that the American Dream can be pursued.
Derek Lineberger, a freshman, English major said “if I had to make a decision I would pursue my passion; I rather work with my gift and make 10 to 20 thousand per year versus being stressed out and unsatisfied in a field that doesn’t inspire me, and make 40 to 50 thousand.”
Moreover, there is a state of pressure among this generation from past generations to achieve a level of higher learning so that one can get a good job and be deemed as successful.
“Our Educational system is made to train people to be a corporate slave; even if you do get a high paying job, your still making crumbs compared to the higher ups. The system doesn’t push and inspire self sustainability, instead it implements sustaining and upholding a system already in place”, said Chris Loney a freshman biological engineering major.
“What if all the top engineers at NC A&T received degrees, and grouped up to start their own firm instead of working for another company. Just imagine the influence we would have being that we can build up our own communities; and on top of that give jobs and internships to other engineering students."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Commemoration March for the 30th Anniversary of the Greensboro Massacre
On Nov. 3rd, 1979, the Communist Workers Party (CWP) held an anti-Klan rally in Greensboro, North Carolina.
During the rally the Ku Klux Klan drove through, and some CWP members started to beat on the cars with their sticks. The KKK responded by shooting at the CWP, Resulting in the shooting deaths of five CWP members t. The event became known as the "Greensboro Massacre."
November 4, 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the Greensboro Massacre; Aggie Alum Wesley Morris, along with Terrance Muhammed and other community organizers from the beloved community center unite to unite the community for this special commemoration. See slide show
March Sound slide
Special Thanks to Britney Drakeford, Wesley Morris, Terrance Muhammed, Beloved Community Center Organizers, and all of those who participated in the march.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
NC A&T Homecoming Coronation
The Homecoming Coronation last thursday was a night of history, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University witnessed the crowning of the first Mr. A&T, Austin James. Many were in attendance and were impressed at the decorations and performances. One in particular, Kelvon Barkley "Miss Aggie Economics Association" was honored to express what happened and how she felt about the event. This Q&A interview was conducted on November 3, 2009.
Giancarlo Spells: Were you involved in the coronation if so what was your role in the event?
Kelvon Barkley: Yes i was involved, I was Miss Aggie Economics Association one of the 52 represented organizations for the event. All of the organizations were involved in a small performance, we came in to the song "love of my life" the classical version by Erykah Badu featuring Common.
Giancarlo Spells: How was the scenery of the coronation?
Kelvon Barkley: It was decorated nicely; the coronation had the Mr. and misses of 52 on campus organizations. They had each organization sit alongside of both sides of the stage in a row leading from the royal court stage to the reserve stage for friends family and faculty. In addition there was a velvet red carpet going down the center of the isle connecting the royal court stage to the reserved stage. On all four corners of Corbet gymnasium were two huge columns that light up different colors. The royal court stage consisted of three rows and on the top row stood these beautiful white chairs with red cushioning, it was beautiful.
GS: Were there any performances if so how were they?
KB: The performances were great they were very unique and different, it had an afro centric style to it. It started out with African folk dancing and drumming, then it went on with a performance by a group of mimes who performed to “a change is going to come” by Sam Cooke. Followed by a small dance by the kings and Queens of the organizations, then the Mr. and Misses of the freshman, sophomore, junior classes; and then the royal court appointees. After everybody was settled Mr. A&T Austin James came out after the showing of a very inspiring speech along with a slide show; such great words received a standing ovation. Next came out Miss A&T with her beautiful white dress, crowned by last years Miss A&T Tanisha Fordham.
GS: How was the reception?
KB: The reception was amazing; it reminded me of a wedding it had a live band and some really good food. After we ate everybody started dancing from the royal court family friends to A&T students.
Special Thanks to Kelvon Barkley
By: Giancarlo Spells
Monday, November 2, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
OFF CAMPUS LIVING
Over the years at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University there have been much speculation with incoming students over the importance of living off campus.
Off campus living suggests that you've reached some level of maturity and responsibility, which is almost the exact opposite of life in dorms, where students are subjected to rules and weekly fire drills.
Jessica Davis, a junior at NC A&T is a part of the swim team and said,“(The athletic dorms have there on rules and regulations, one in particular that bothered me was the 11:30pm curfews.”
The issue is the lack of freedom, the idea of not being able to do whatever you want to do while living on campus. (Because of the restrictions), many students after their freshman year opt to move off campus, where they can be treated like adults and be held to those same responsibilities.
There are still some things about on campus-living that off campus students envy.
Kelvon Barkley, a junior business and mathematics major, said, "I miss getting to classes faster, and knowing about activities, events and programs happening on campus."
"Alot of events are promoted in the dorms, you can go to the door or look at the bulletin board and see a series of programs".
In addition many organizations on campus do "dorm storms". (Last year I remember seeing students going around dorms and knocking on doors passing out candy influencing people to go vote. "This type of dedication and openness is not really adhered to off campus students" said Jessica Hallager, who lives off campus.
"I also miss being within the social community of the dorms and hanging out with friends" said Barkley.
Davis even mentioned that the main luxury of living on campus was going back to your rooms in between classes and taking naps; moreover, having food already cooked for you in the cafe.
Although off campus students may reminisce on benefits they had staying on campus, off campus living is more free and spacious.
"I love living off campus i get to have my own room, bathroom, an kitchen." said Davis
Barkley made similar statements saying, "I get to have my own space and there's no curfew for visitors."
Today's main issue with off campus living for the past to years has been security, since the murders of two A&T students Dennis Hayle and Derrick Hodge. Due to those tragic events many apartments complexes have set up cameras and extra security devices.
Hallager a resident of Campus East Apartments said, "I feel really safe her, our apartment has a security alarm, plus there's a gate that requires a key in order for people to even get into the apartment building".
Campus East apartments is one of the safest complexes to live. she said
In all the only other issue with off campus living is on campus parking, many students complained about why should we pay so much money for a parking pass when there is often nowhere to park; which concludes to being late for class or not making it to class at all.
In Due time NC A&T will probably bridge these gaps that stand in between are educational highs, but till then we just have to learn how to deal with them.
Special Thanks to Jessica Hallager, Jessica Davis, and Kelvon Barkley
By: Giancarlo Spells
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
NC A&T's Lost of Connection with the Community
Throughout the years North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has undergone many cultural changes parallel to the changes of time. These changes include both negative and positive, but the one change that Alumni and current students mostly always bring up is the lost of connection and presents of NC A&T within the Greensboro community.
The city of Greensboro is currently dealing with a lot of troubling issues concerning black on black crime, police brutality, gang violence, injustices within the police gang unit, injustices within the law, and the gentrification of black areas for the building of residence halls and apartments for college universities. Mostly if not all of this information of such acts goes ignored on A&T’s campus until somehow A&T gets pulled into the picture.
Wesley Morris a community organizer and an A&T graduate of 2007 said, “The culture has changed and has put less of a priority on community organizing, and the priorities have been internalized sole to the campus.”
For example there have been many black on black crimes in the city of Greensboro that have resulted in death, but it wasn’t until the death of two A&T students did the campus try to reach out as a unit and do something about it. Even then students strived for “Campus Saftey” not city wide safety.
It wasn’t always this way, Dr. Samuel Moseley a political science professor noted in his text book “American National and State Government” that during the 60’s and 70’s A&T students and faculty were heavily involved in the community. Organizations such as The Student Organization for Black Unity (SOBU) which was created in 1969 in the A&T student union ballroom and its newspaper the “African World”, also other organizations off campus such as Greensboro Association of Poor people (GAPP) and the Foundation for community development (FCD) students were involved in.
Students of this time period protested police brutality, racism, and inhumane treatment of blacks while at the same time building as a unit to fight for a cause.
Shirley Samuel a Bennet Bell of 65’-68’ said “there was more cohesiveness amongst students and attitude about being an aggie, as far as influence A&T was the parent of Dudley high school”
She describes the relationship between A&T and Dudley with the same correlation that middle schools have with their connected high schools.
Additionally the affection and love that the professors had for the students had a high level of influence said Samuel, she noted that back then teachers and professors prepared students for the real world not just for the test; they didn’t teach everything from out of a book and took extra time to teach other valuable life lessons. This important characteristic is missing in most of today’s professors and teachers said Samuel.
“It’s a challenge, but there’s still potential for A&T to reach out; the beloved community center has meetings from one to three every Wednesdays and is open for people to bring their issues concerning the city of Greensboro and ideas of upliftment” said Morris.
“NC A&T has a strong connection with the Greensboro community only throughout homecoming; were there’s a concert and a big football game, so now it’s commercialized” said Samuel.
“The Homecoming parade use to be a classic involving all surrounding high schools, colleges and organizations, it not only involved A&T but it involved the City of Greensboro, Winston Salem, and Highpoint, it was also a dress up affair you would show up to the event in your finest of formal wear.”
What does A&T need to do to connect back with the community and be just as strong and just as influential as we were in the 60’ and 70’?
“Cleanup, Within the University Professors need to care about the students and the University as a whole needs to get back to the basics” said Samuel.
“A&T needs to start reaching out to the community, and raise the level of physical presence within the community” said Morris.
November 4th, there will be a march from the aggie 4 statue to downtown Greensboro Historical Museum at 6pm. At the museum there will be a showing of the documentary film “Closer to the truth”, dealing with the events of the November 3rd, 1979 massacre.
Special Thanks to Wesley Morris, Shirley Samuel, and Dr. Samuel Moseley
By: Giancarlo Spells
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