A Collision of Race, Sports, Public Relations, and Social Media

For quite some time now the campaign to get the Washington Redskins to change their name has been building.  This week saw the back-and-forth reach new heights, when a group of Senators wrote a letter to Redskins management in support of a name change.  The Redskins asked their fans to get on Twitter and show Senator Harry Reid their #RedskinsPride.  While there were some early positive responses, as the hashtag started trending the majority of the responses were decidedly against the name.  What the team was hoping would be a big public relations boost turned out to be a gift to the very campaign they have been resisting.

This once again brings up the question of (a) whether the nickname is racist and (b) whether the Redskins should change it.  What do you think?

It also brings up some interesting questions about the way both individuals and organizations attempt to shape their image in the age of social media.  How can social media help to positively shape one's image?  How can the use of social media also be turned against the user?  Can you think of any examples that support each side??

Drone Warfare

We've discussed the justification for using controversial weapons in war, from the atomic bomb to Agent Orange. The latest debate in this unending cycle involves the use of unmanned drones to carry out attacks and assassinations. Watch the video and read the short article that accompanies it:

Are US drones terrorising civilians? - Inside Story Americas - Al Jazeera English

Then post a comment to this posting answering the following questions:
Is the use of drones to assassinate terrorist targets an acceptable tactic? Why or why not?
Also, what fears and concerns could be caused by the increasing use of drones? (Think about how the atomic bomb led to fears of nuclear war.)

Finally, you must respond to a classmates' posting, replying thoughtfully to their opinion and ideas, not simply agreeing or disagreeing.

Living on Minimum Wage

The New York Times has a calculator you can use to see just how challenging not is to live on $7.25 an hour:

http://feedly.com/k/1gcwA84

Defying all of our stereotypes of older, white, Southerners (in this case Texan), Dallas sportscaster Dale Hansen came out in support of Mizzou's Michael Sam, who is poised to become the first openly gay man in the NFL.

Why does the culture of men's professional sports make this such an important and controversial moment?

The Sociology of Valentine's Day

It’s almost that time. Can you feel it? That ever present feeling of love in the air? I do every time I walk into any store and the pink hearts and pudgy cherubs with bows and arrows attack me (Am I alone in being afraid of that little guy trying to shoot me?). They started shortly after Christmas. And they’ll persist until February 14th. What’s Valentine’s Day all about anyway? And more importantly what does it mean to us?

The functionalists would argue that all holidays are occasions to unify the group and bring people together (this of course has a particular meaning exclusive to this holiday…). Rituals like these allow us to celebrate the values we hold sacred and affirm our sense of who we are (our ‘we-ness’). Which values exactly does Valentine’s Day celebrate?

Love. Our culture’s version of romantic love is celebrated in Valentine’s Day cards and boxes of chocolate. Pay attention to commercials and advertisements and you’re likely to see the following variants on the following love themes:

1. True love can strike without prior interaction (“love at first sight”).

2. For each of us, there is only one other person who will inspire true love.

3. True love can overcome any obstacle.

4. Our beloved is (nearly) perfect.

5. We should follow our feelings; we should base our choice of partners on love rather than on other, more rational considerations.

Heternormativity - Heteronormativity is the idea that there are two (and only two) complementary genders and that heterosexuality is not only the ‘normal’ sexual orientation but correct and characterizes most (all) people. Heteronormativity is embedded within society’s institutions and in this case, holidays. Discussion of Valentine’s Day presupposes a heterosexual relationship, thus reinforcing the idea that this is the correct type of relationship.

The symbolic interactionists would point to Valentine’s Day scripts which are culturally proscribed event schemas or outlines for how events unfold. We all know them and they set the stage for the holiday. The Valentine’s script probably involves dinner, roses and chocolate. We all know what is expected and what to expect; and it is because of these cultural scripts. Can you imagine a couple together for six months and one person in the relationship ignores Valentine’s Day? Not good for that person!

And of course, the conflict theorists would explain the reliance on these cultural values is because they can be used to manipulate us into consumption. They are used exploitatively to sell us stuff as well as reinforce those in power’s definition of love that requires purchasing greeting cards, candy and jewelry.

Answer the following in the comments section:

How do you view Valentine's Day?  Do you see it more from the functionalist, symbolic interactionist, or conflict theorist perspective? Explain.  You must also respond to one classmate.