Category: RCL Blog

For my Unit 2 project, I am planning on analyzing the shifting perception of felons following their reimplementation into society, tracing the shifts that have occurred before and during the war on drugs, and the reforms of the 2010s. This is a paradigm that involves both the shift of public perception, and public policy. This recent shift is in response to perhaps the most polarizing paradigm shift within the US criminal Justice system : The War on Drugs and the get Tough on Crime initiative. I am not focusing on the structure of prisons as a whole, but rather showing how a new perspective is beginning to allow ex-offenders a true second chance rather than always having to wear that “Scarlet Letter” even after release.

Previously denied Healthcare/Welfare

https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/a-lifetime-of-punishment-the-impact-of-the-felony-drug-ban-on-welfare-benefits/

The concept of welfare being denied to felons following release is one that involves itself with policy rather than societal perception. This represents a shift because states have begun to lift this ban of welfare, recognizing that the denial of welfare to those who may arguably need it most may bolster recidivism rates. This denial of welfare was implemented during the War on Drugs, which was a paradigm shift in itself.

Felon Voting Rights

https://www.ncsc.org/trends/monthly-trends-articles/2019/the-future-of-restoring-voting-rights-for-exfelons

One of the most basic violations of a felon’s rights are denying them the right to vote. The US is currently in the midst of changing their stance on ex-offenders ability to use their political voice. Some contend that denying felons the right to vote is another injustice to minority communities, because a majority of felons are not white. 14 states now allow felons to vote after their release from prison, and in a recent “Future of the courts” survey, 248 out of 293 respondents thought that courts will restore voting rights to felons within the next ten years

Employment Issues for Felons

Lack of employment and opportunity fosters recidivism. Employment is an issue both because of policy and stereotypes. The “Ban the Box” movement is gaining increased traction across the nation, symbolizing a shift in the way people want felons to be viewed. The federal gov. now offers incentives to employers that hire felons. Both of these concepts would have been unheard of during the height of the War on Drugs.

Education

One sign of a shift in terms of education is the effort to make prisons focused on rehab instead of detainment. Trump imposed the “First Step Act”, which puts in place various workshops that prisoners must complete before reentering society, better preparing them for work and school. The recent bipartisanship in terms of prisoner education and reform is a major step in the right direction for reducing recidivism and allowing prisoners a second chance once they leave the system.

https://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_measuring_what_makes_life_worthwhile/transcript?language=en

In this TED talk, Chip Conley analyses the keys to happiness. Although this concept can be very subjective, Conley does a great job in describing how happiness differs amongst people, but in some ways is related. In order to make his argument effective, Conley compares and contrasts a hotel maid and the King of Bhutan. He himself is a hotel CEO, and was able to speak in person to both people. He used a quote that was very touching, which goes “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have”. He analyses that the hotel maid is very content with her life because she values her work, and thrives off of the intangible elements of happiness.

In order to make his argument engaging and relevant, Conley tries to employ elements of humor, appeal to people across a broad spectrum, and tries to make the audience feel as though he is not lecturing to them. It doesn’t feel like Conley is teaching you a lesson, until the TED talk ends and you realize that you have learned something, He acknowledged his own struggles in this search and relates to the audience.

In High School, I became very involved with prison reform, and studied the topic of recidivism deeply. One topic that I am considering writing about is societies perception of felons. The way that society accepts/rejects the implementation of felons either in the workforce/education carries major implications as to how people with criminal records can succeed in society. 83% or prisoners are re-arrested after release within the 10 year period following their initial release. I think I would be analyzing how America is once again in the midst of a paradigm shift, Shifting from the tough on crime approach to felons in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, to the implementation of “Ban the Box” and reform efforts like the “First Step Act”, and how this will lead to statistical changes in recidivism.

Another topic that I am looking into is the paradigm shift regarding social media and the way that business is conducted on a commercial scale. I would look to analyze how online shopping/advertising has completely changed public perception of what is valued in todays commercial market. I would use examples of what stores have flourished and what stores have had to close their doors as a result of this, and what it could mean for the future. I think this idea would definitely be easier to research than the perception/treatment of felons in America.

For my civic artifact, I chose to analyze the rhetorical devices that led to the marketing success of the 76ers Phila Unite Logo, which was introduced in 2018. I began by showing the introduction video that the 76ers released when revealing the logo, and then presented on only one slide, showing the logo.

Overall, I think that my speech went well. My peers who reviewed the speech said that it was evident that I was prepared to present and maintained good eye contact throughout my speech. They also said that it helped that I was passionate on the subject. I think being interested in the 76ers as well as elements of design made this the perfect civic artifact for me.

One thing that I was not sure about is if whether or not the use of a clear thesis was necessary in the speech. When I first began preparing for my speech, every time I read out loud my thesis it felt much too scripted. I eventually decided to find a median between a thesis I would use in an essay, and one that I would use in conversation. My thesis is shorter than it originally was, and it sounds more “casual” than it would in an essay.

I decided to only use one slide other than my video while presenting, so viewers could really focus on the logo. As I spoke about the importance of the snake, or the statement beneath the snake, my audience could simply look at the screen to clearly see which elements of the logo I was talking about. This is a strategy that I think worked well for me, but it wouldn’t have for other people because of the nature of their artifact. For example, Katherine was analyzing a commercial and she used multiple slides throughout her presentation to expose certain types of the ad, which really strengthened her speech.

One thing that I think I definitely could have worked on would be finding a better balance between what would belong in a speech, and what would belong in an essay. Although I had trouble with this, I think I ultimately found a decent balance. I think that my speech was engaging throughout its entirety because I used voice inflection and stayed on topic. I am happy with the way that my speech went, and I think I successfully analyzed what rhetorical devices the PHILA UNITE logo used.

“What is a City, but the people, true the people are the city” (Coriolanus III). A bustling Monday morning rush may seem like madness to some, and magic to others. In spite of the disgruntled looks on passerby’s faces, and the beeping of horns, the city lifestyle is beloved by most who call it home. After a long days’ work, thousands of the city’s faithful toss on their caps and scream mercilessly at their television, scorning their division rival who plays in a stadium just hours away. Sports, for better or for worse, provide an outlet where fans become deeply engrossed in the actions of the team which represents their city, and therefore themselves. As athletic franchises continue to search for nuanced ways to sell their product to city patrons, some teams have taken more personal approach to marketing, addressing a particular beloved aspect of their city. Within the past decade, the NBA has supported teams’ efforts to introduce various temporary promotions, such as teams “City Edition” jerseys, or “Earned It” jerseys, rewarded to teams that made the playoffs the year prior. Although many teams have demonstrated their marketing prowess within these boundaries, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat have both experienced unprecedented praise for their particular campaigns. The 76ers “Phila Unite” campaign was introduced in the fall of 2018, and its logo draws inspiration from Ben Franklin’s famous “Join, or Die” political cartoon. The Miami Heat unveiled their immensely popular “Miami Vice” jerseys in 2018 as well, paying homage to the notorious 80s crime TV show based in Miami. The Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat took advantage of an opportune marketing moment, appealed to the hearts of their fanbase with symbols that are beloved on a local scale and recognized nationally, while directly addressing commonplaces specific to their most devoted crowd, in order to promote both their “Phila Unite” and “Miami Vice” campaigns.

 

The 76ers strategically marketed their “Phila Unite” campaign during a period of increased anticipation and excitement, resulting in an opportunity that fostered increased sales. 2018 marked the first time in five years that the team had made the playoffs, let alone experience any sort of success. The period in between these playoff berths has engrained itself as one of history’s most abysmal displays of sport, highlighted by the 2016 teams 10-72 record, the third worst regular season record in NBA history. As the young and hungry 2018 76ers team scrapped its way into the playoffs, fans were eager to cling to the fruits of their newfound success. When the Phila Unite campaign showed its face, not only did it present a confirmation that the team’s years of losing were over, but it encouraged fans to buy into this team wholeheartedly. The campaign is structured around the Ben Franklin’s political cartoon depicting a fragmented snake and the words “Join, or Die”. Although the Phila Unite campaign does not contain Franklin’s notorious phrase, the snake wrapping itself around the liberty bell indicates to fans that the only path to success is together. The promotion persuades that the time to buy in is now, which is similar to Franklin’s message to the colonies on the brink of the revolution. The introduction of the Phila Unite campaign kickstarted a major rebrand of 76ers merchandising, strategically following the teams own rebrand in style of play and success. By introducing the Phila Unite promotion during a time of anticipated success, the 76ers were able to increase the excitement around their new logo and product.

Similar to the 76ers, the Miami Heat pounced upon an opportune moment when promoting their new Miami Vice jerseys. As the 76ers experienced a low point in their franchise during the early 2010s, the Heat experienced glory. The team won consecutive championships in 2012 and 2013 with Lebron James at the helm of the franchise, backed by the likes of Dwayne Wade, Ray Allen, and Chris Bosh. Although this team enjoyed victory at the highest level, an aging Dwayne Wade was the team’s only remaining star as the heat entered the 2018 season, and it was clear the Heats dynasty was over. A new age of young athletes entered Miami, which called for a new age of marketing. The teams new Miami Vice jerseys portray a vibrant, flashy, and youthful portrayal of the city, that blends perfectly with the teams new age of star athletes. In some sense, the introduction of the Miami Vice era of the Heat was a passing of the torch from the Heats old approach of winning to its new one. The introduction of the Miami vice jerseys succeeded in keeping an older fanbase engaged in a new team and attracted many young fans who may have just missed the Heat’s glory days. Such a dramatic shift in team merchandising is only possible when the team itself can represent that shift, and the Miami Vice jerseys perfectly mirrored the Heats team.

 

The “Phila Unite” logo that is at the center of their campaign employs a symbol that is easily recognized on both a local and national scale. The “Join, Or Die” political cartoon originated in Philadelphia while the colonies were on the brink of revolution, and it remains a popular symbol of American independence today. By incorporating elements of a locally beloved symbol and a national beacon of strength, the 76ers team appeals to both diehard fans and general NBA lovers alike. Although team marketing often addresses the desires of current fans, extending the teams influence to prospective followers is an important aspect of growth and merchandise sales. For the Philly faithful, Franklin’s fragmented snake represents an intimate connection to the city, inspiring fans to rally around Philadelphia, the birthplace of America. The fragmented snake is a dual edged symbol because it also allows non-local fans to disregard Philadelphia’s relation to the symbol if they so please, and still feel a connection. The Join, or Die cartoon is not exclusively a Philadelphian concept, and allows people with little to no allegiance to the city to become engaged. The concept of NBA teams attempting to appeal to fans across the United States is a relatively new goal, and one that was elevated greatly by the popularization of social media. Social media and online marketing have allowed teams to appeal to groups of fans that are unable to attend games, or even make it to the city in which the team plays. By employing a legendary symbol of American determination, the 76ers are able to extend their fanbase beyond Philadelphia, while appeal on an emotional scale to those who reside within the city’s boundaries.

 

The Heat’s Miami Vice jerseys hold a similar capacity to appeal to both citizens of Miami and those across the United States. Miami Vice was an extremely popular television show in the 80s, and it was responsible for establishing Miami as a city of lights and action. Although the show focused on the crime within the city, the unique characters and storylines within the series portrayed Miami as distinctly human, although different from the rest of America. The television show attracted tourists who either hoped to visit set or audition for a part on the show themselves, and garnered national attention from television providers. In this way, the introduction of the new Miami Vice jerseys appeals to all sorts of people and allows those who have never been to Miami to remember a representation of the city through the television show. Miami Vice is also a beloved concept within the city itself, because the show was responsible for completely reconstructing the cities damaged reputation. Miamians began to take great pride that South Beach was at the pinnacle of American focus, and it did not take long for the television show to become beloved within Miami itself. The Miami Heat have experienced extreme success in terms of national marketing, due in large part because of what Miami Vice represents, and the aesthetics of the logo itself. When comparing the success of the Phila Unite campaign to that of the Miami Vice promotion, there is no doubt that Miami experienced greater success in terms of marketing their product nationally. This is not to say that the 76ers were unable to market their product beyond the scope of Philadelphia, but the heat experienced particular success due to their recency of the symbol that they chose to employ, and its popularity.

 

Perhaps the most important aspect of the 76ers Phila Unite campaign is its direct appeal to the Philadelphian commonplace of hard work and unity. As Eagles center Jason Kelce famously chanted during his 2017 Super Bowl speech, “No one Likes us, we don’t care.” This mentality has long stood as a way of life amongst Philadelphians, and can be seen both through fans unapologetic allegiance to their teams, oftentimes mixed with insults aimed at fans of other cities. Despite this, the city of Brotherly Love prides itself on the deep-rooted unity of the city. It is not uncommon to hear Philly fans chant “We all we got, we all we need” in the middle of an intense game, a testament to the fact that fans are perfectly content so long as they have each-other. The statement “Phila Unite” promptly addresses this commonplace of unity that is so important to fans in a short, yet powerful command. Another value that Philadelphia prides itself on is hard work. Philadelphia is a blue collar city, and that same blue collar mentality applies to their sports expectations. Players are expected to put forth their maximum effort in every facet of the game, and anything less will be met by a plethora of boos.

“What is a City, but the people, true the people are the city” (Coriolanus III). The bustling Monday morning rush in New York City may seem like madness to some, and magic to others. In spite of the disgruntled looks on passerby’s faces, and the beeping of horns, the City of New York is beloved by most who call it home. After a long days’ work, thousands of the city’s faithful toss on their Yankees cap and scream mercilessly at their television, scorning their division rival who plays in a stadium just hours away. Sports, for better or for worse, provide an outlet where fans become deeply engrossed in the actions of the team which represents their city, and therefore themselves. As athletic franchises continue to search for nuanced ways to sell their product to city patrons, some teams have taken more personal approach to marketing, addressing a particular beloved aspect of their city. Within the past decade, the NBA has supported teams’ efforts to introduce various temporary promotions, such as teams “City Edition” jerseys, or “Earned It” jerseys, rewarded to teams that made the playoffs the year prior. Although many teams have demonstrated their marketing prowess within these boundaries, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat have both experienced unprecedented praise for their particular campaigns. The 76ers “Phila Unite” campaign was introduced in the fall of 2018, and its logo draws inspiration from Ben Franklin’s famous “Join, or Die” political cartoon. The Miami Heat unveiled their immensely popular “Miami Vice” jerseys in 2018 as well, paying homage to the notorious 80s crime TV show based in Miami. The Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat took advantage of an opportune marketing moment, appealed to the hearts of their fanbase with symbols that are beloved on a local scale and recognized nationally, while directly addressing commonplaces specific to their most devoted crowd, in order to promote both their “Phila Unite” and “Miami Vice” campaigns.

• Introduction
• • Show 30 second clip of logo reveal
  • Describe how the logo incorporates Ben Franklin’s famous “Join, or Die” snake
• Rhetorical Device #1 – Kairos
  • Explain how new logo was introduced during the teams first playoff appearance in five years
  • Two years prior the 76ers went 10-72, the second worst record in NBA history
    • This new logo/playoff experience kickstarted the fun part of “The Process”
  • Fans were ready to cling to something positive about the team
• The Significance of the Ben Franklin “Phila Unite” Logo
  • PHILADELPHIA
    • “Join, Or Die” originated in Philadelphia, and is a beloved symbol even today
    • Appeals to the grassroots mentality of the city, speaking to the power of “The people” (Pathos)
    • Logo implies that “trusting the process” is a revolution in some sense
    • Philadelphians are proud that their city is donned “The Birthplace of the United States”, and implementing colonial symbols tugs at the pride of Philly residents (Pathos)
  • NATIONALLY
    • Join, Or Die symbol not only sparks pride within Philly, but on a national scale
    • Easily recognizable symbol that people can resonate with
  • Rhetorical Device – Commonplace
    • Resonates deeply with the local Philadelphia commonplace of Hard, Honest work
      • Philly is a blue collar city, and the 76ers are a blue collar team (started from the ground up with relatively small market)
      • The Join or Die symbol rejects large superpowers (British), and creates a rallying cry for the underdogs
      • Philly sports fans pride themselves on passion, and breaking the “norm” of fan etiquette
    • Conclusion
      • Explain briefly the widespread success of the campaign
      • “Phila Unite” campaign summarizes the culture of the team

Since early March, the United States has been tasked with mitigating a global pandemic. The coronavirus has changed the way that Americans go about their daily lives, destroyed businesses, and created a major challenge in terms of maintaining a stable economy while taking appropriate health measures. Despite these issues, multiple companies have enjoyed great marketing success as a result of American vulnerability. Amazon, One of America’s most expensive and successful businesses, has taken advantage of their position as a contactless delivery service. The onset of Coronavirus has presented Amazon with an opportunity to showcase their services in a time where online delivery is in high demand.

“Rising to the Challenge” is a commercial released by Amazon on April 22^nd, 2020, which highlights Amazon’s efforts to continue their services despite the pandemic. The commercial acknowledges the challenges presented by the virus, but carries a tone of confidence and power, an attempt to highlight the strength of the company. Amazon seizes advantage of this marketing opportunity by displaying employees taking appropriate safety precautions, making consumers feel comfortable using Amazon’s services. The commercial also shows large quantities of packages continuing to move through Amazon’s hands, showing the public that the company is still committed to providing quality work.

Companies such as Lysol, Kleenex, and online monopolies like Amazon were able to capitalize off of the Kairos presented by the onset of COVID-19. Amazon’s “Rising to the Challenge” commercial makes consumers feel inspired and comfortable about the efforts that Amazon is making to provide safe service. Many Americans have become angered by companies attempts to market their product during this time, arguing that they are preying off of desperation and fear. Whether or not people agree with companies decisions to capitalize off of the coronavirus pandemic, Amazon viewed the pandemic as an opportune moment to make a statement.

Since 2018 the Philadelphia 76ers have enjoyed extreme merchandising success during the playoffs as a result of their “Phila Unite” movement. This movement is a play on Benjamin Franklin’s famous “Join, or Die” slogan created during the height of colonial unrest in 1750s America. Ben Franklin’s cartoon depicts a fragmented snake, made to represent the thirteen colonies. For the 76ers “Phila Unite” campaign, a snake similar to Franklin’s wraps itself around the 76ers alternate liberty bell logo. This new logo became an instant fan favorite not only because of its aesthetics, but because it employs the American rhetorical commonplace that we are stronger when unified.

The 76ers deploy dual use of this commonplace, both appealing to a national audience and a local one. The concept of “Join, or Die” is now viewed as a symbol of nationalism and pride. The yellow flag is still frequently flown across the United States, and is a rallying cry for American pride. The 76ers are choosing to play off of the fact that they were the center place of the American Revolution, and home to some of Benjamin Franklin’s most influential work. By advertising a logo that resonates to fans across the country, the 76ers make it easier to garner support from fans outside of the Philadelphia area.

Although the Phila Unite movement attempts to reach a national fanbase, it also makes a play on the emotion of local fans. The logo asks for Philadelphia to unite specifically, and pairs the command with a symbol that is beloved within the city. Although the “Join, or die” slogan expresses the need for unity, it also warns people of the possibility of death. Fans are encouraged to unify in support or else the team will “die” (become eliminated). The logo assumes that fans accept to the American commonplace of unity, realizing that it is only with support that great things will occur.

Although the 76ers “Phila Unite” slogan has gained much support, this unity has not helped them much in the playoffs. Regardless, the team continues to advertise this slogan around playoff time, in hopes that one year this commonplace that unity leads to success will finally pay off.