Marketing Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing Management - Essay Example It should always be borne in mind that the above-mentioned factors are subject to change and uncertainty and likewise Hengist House is not immune to change hence the need to have up-to-date information about their business environment if they are serious about its development. Whilst Brenda and Phillip may want to believe that their business is flourishing by virtue of a large number of visitors they get each year, a close analysis of their business shows that it is operating below capacity to a certain extent. As a result of underutilization of other vast facilities, their property is not earning them the maximum capacity it should be considering that it used to be a successful farm as well as tourist attraction. Indeed, the place is endowed with the resources that can generate large amounts of revenue if properly utilized and carefully marketed. It seems there is no proper planning the reason why some of the facilities that can be used to generate income are being underutilized. For instance, there are winter bulbs that flowered under the trees each February and even into March but nothing much was ever done to them by way of feeding or other care but they are among the most attractive features at the place. With proper planning and marketing of the plac e, there is no need for applying for grants or loans to develop the area but it would generate its own revenue that can be in turn used to spruce up the image of the place. Their place looks as if it is neglected hence may not appeal to many people. Winter tourism has great potential for business and Brenda and Philip have the property endowed with all qualities necessary for the business to flourish like all other property owners but they had little planning to harness this kind of business. In the absence of proper marketing strategies in place, though the owners would like to believe that they are making handsome business, it can still be argued that they are not using their competitive advantage compared to other competitors in the area.

Summary on readings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summary on readings - Essay Example Kidnap Poem This intriguing poem by Nikki Giovanni offers a unique and chilling perspective of being kidnapped if the kidnapper were a poet. The kidnap victim would become the subject of a poem as they are placed â€Å"in my phrases and meter.† Giovanni’s idea of kidnapping someone for the sake of a poem sounds more like a romance in the making than a legitimate kidnapping. The victim would be taken to either to Jones Beach, Coney Island, or to Giovanni’s house. Kidnap victims are seldom treated to such beautiful, romantic places. Then the doting poet would shower their victim with lilacs, run with them through the rain, and roll around with them on the beach – all the makings of a love story. Indeed, Giovanni believes that their victim on the beach would complement the poet’s vision. Giovanni would play the lyre for their victim in an attempt to win them over, and even show them off to her mother. In Giovanni’s eyes, to make a poem out of a kidnapping, show would have to show her victim love. My Dungeon Shook/Dear James James Baldwin begins his letter to his nephew by telling stating that it took him five tries to perfect his letter. This suggests either unsureness in his words, a reluctance in writing to his nephew, or just the inability to properly relay what he feels. James then compares his nephew to his father, or James’ bother. His nephew reminds him of the tough and vulnerable nature that his father exhibited. He also attempts to compare his nephew to his grandfather but is unable to find similarities. The grandfather had collapsed under the lies of the white man that he was the definition of what the world knew as a nigger. James encourages his nephew never to let that word break him and that it really is just a lie. He wants his nephew to know this because he loves his nephew, and his love is something else that he does not want his nephew to forget. James shares with his nephew how he knew his father f or their entire lives. As the older brother, James watched his little brother go through every stage of life. When he looks into his brother’s face, he sees the faces that he had grown into and then grown out of over the course of his life as though he were a living scrapbook. James even sees memories in his brother’s faces that he doubts his brother even remembers, like the time when his brother fell down the cellar stairs. James remembers it all, even when his brother does not, because he had been there to witness his brother go through life. More than anything, James knows â€Å"what the world has done to my brother and how narrowly he has survived it.† He acknowledges that his fellow men are in the habit of destroying lives and will continue to do so in a domino effect of human nature. James reminds his nephew that most of mankind is guilty for their own acts of destruction, but that does not mean that all of mankind shares in this guilt. The letter continue s with James pointing out that his nephew was born into a world that was not much different from the world one hundred years ago – a world that did not look with favor on people who were not white of skin. James reveals the purpose of the letter, which is to teach his nephew how to handle such a world without losing himself. Part of James’ reassurance is that his nephew’

Leadership in the Field of Criminal Justice Term Paper

Leadership in the Field of Criminal Justice - Term Paper Example The following questions will be asked, discussed, and analyzed: What does it take to become an authentic leader who people want to follow, does every manager need to be a leader, why is leadership portrayed in terms of how managers manage people, why is leadership portrayed in terms of how managers manage people, how can you be said to lead people when you have the authority to tell them what to do, and what does it take to become an authentic leader who people want to follow?   Although the answers to each of these questions vary with relation to the individual, form of management, particular leadership style, and setting in which it is put into practice, broad and overarching implications can be drawn from the applications of the answers to the above questions as will be demonstrated in this brief analysis.  As the report declares the terms have clear connotation and denotation in written and spoken language, when they are put into practice and a firm definition of which one le ads to another can be a bit troublesome.   For this purpose, this brief analysis will work to scrutinize leadership and management as they relate to the field of criminal justice.   It is additionally important to note that each of the questions that this analysis will work to scrutinize have strong interconnected dependence and relationships between one another whereby by answering and analyzing one of the questions parallels and strong inference as well as development can be drawn on the other questions which are analyzed.

State of African Americans in the United States Early 1900's Essay

State of African Americans in the United States Early 1900's - Essay Example The Afro-Americans political experience can be explained by social injustices and liberals which forsake other elements of its past liberal which Dunn (1998) explains that it is what made America what it has become today. For example, labor movements, Roosevelt’s trust busting, and Johnson Great Society, as well as other civil studies that took place in America back in 1920. Looking back at Afro-American history, it becomes obvious that its social issues drove the electorate of the country through out the 20th century. However, the most important thing to understand is that the social issues shifted to various forms of parties and because of these, the country’s social electorate changed its economic platform. Some of them were slaves who served in rich white men land. However, historical figures like Washington educational legacy helped transform the condition of Afro-Americans in the twenty first century, and transformed them into liberal thinking and conservative bla ck towards their economic success. Mathew (2006) asserts that Washington was a supporter of Afro-Americans education, who helped broaden their minds to a culture that included classics and Latin exploration. He had planned for their education in order to ensure that they had economic success and status. The legal rights in the South have changed over the past 30 years, especially from the time of Civil war to today. For example, the social conservatism helped in shaping American politics. Washington and Fonvielle helped the Afro-Americans in changing their legal rights by advocating for equal rights to each American citizen (Rubel, 2005). This kind of proclamation emancipation helped the African Americans to unite with the army in order to make a rapid progress like the white soldiers. The army tried to change the mind of their citizens as well as influence the legislative in terms of their legal rights. Additionally, from the time of civil war to today, Democratic Party was seen as a party of South. The party having being termed as common-man’ party, it is said to have favored the working class in terms of economic matters (Rubel, 2005).The south was therefore, a democratic region, but when it shifted its gear to republican, the economic implications changed. This is because, when blacks got the right to vote, they voted for the Republican Party because of Lincoln who was reconstructing the South at the time. They also wanted both economic and social change, for example, capitalism. and liberalism. The significance of the recent movement of Afro-Americans from South to North showed that there is free movement of people from one place to another, Rubel (2005). After the civil war, the South were still farmers, where the Democratic Party represented them. The movement of the South to North was mostly to escape from the slavery bonds and therefore, decided to move to the Free states. This was as a result of the Abolitionists like Washington’s and F rontier advocacy who were working underground to guide the Afro-Americans into freedom. However, during the reconstruction, America struggled to free the slaves and assimilate them into local and national communities, at the same time minimize those citizens who were not willing to help the African- Americans. The Washington, Frontiers and other supporters of

Econometrics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Econometrics - Assignment Example The least squares estimator bMC is not consistent in this case since there exists autocorrelation between the independent variable and the error term ui i.e. i.e. the disturbances are pairwise correlated. This is referred to as autocorrelated disturbances. b) You have data on the variables Y , X, W and Z. The variable Z satisfies the "exogeneity" condition and the "relevance" condition . You decide to estimate model (3) using the instrumental variables method. Is the instrumental variables estimator bIV consistent in this case? Explain your answer. The instrumental variable estimator bIV is consistent in this case since the instrumental variable is uncorrelated with the error term though there exists a correlation between it with the exogenous variable. c) You have data on the variables Y, X and Z, but you dont have data on W. The variable Z satisfies the "exogeneity" condition and the "relevance" condition . You decide to omit the variable W from the regression and to estimate the model: using the instrumental variables method. The instrumental variable estimator bIV is inconsistent in this case; for the consistency in the instrumental variables Zi and Wi should be correlated. In this given case, the conditions for consistency have not been met hence leading the instrumental variables estimator bIV to be inconsistent. i) What is the interpretation of this value of the J statistic? Do we reject the hypothesis of exogeneity of the variables Z1 and Z2? (you will need to look at the critical values in the table for the distribution of to answer this question). The interpretation for the J statistic is that that all instruments are uncorrelated with ui. With the value of J statistics being 15.7, we reject the null hypothesis and conclude either one or more of the instruments are invalid or that the structural model is specified incorrectly The p-value of the coefficient of incomehi is less than 5% significance level (p-value=0.000

Electro-optics and Infrared Essay Example for Free

Electro-optics and Infrared Essay Electronic warfare involves the utilization of techniques, equipment and devices to counteract or deny the enemy from using radar, communications and other radio wave devices. The EW techniques can be further subdivided into electronic support, electronic attack and electronic protection (Frater Ryan, 2001). Electronic support (ES) involves actions taken by an operational commander to search, intercept, identify and locate sources of electromagnetic energy. ES is considered to be passive as it involves using passive measures which do not generate their own energy. Electronic attack (EA) involves using electromagnetic energy to attack facilities, equipment or personnel in order to destroy the enemys combat capability. EA is taken be an active technique as it involves jamming, neutralization and electronic deception, which are usually noisy since they generate their own energy (Goodman Carus, 1990). Jamming entails use of electromagnetic energy to prevent radio signal transmission. In neutralizing the enemy’s signal, extremely high levels of electromagnetic radiation are utilized to damage permanently the enemy’s electronic equipment. While in electronic deception false or misleading signals are sent in order to deceive and confuse the enemy. Electronic protection (EP) entails the actions taken to protect facilities, personnel and equipment from effects of EW that would destroy or damage their combat capability. EP involves using active and passive techniques (Frater Ryan, 2001). In the past, EW systems were mainly concerned with the microwave spectrum region but nowadays it is continuously shifting to the longer wavelengths of IR and also to the visible region. The current weapon systems are increasingly exploiting a mixture of sensors in order to overcome the adverse climatic conditions (Szweda, 2000). To such systems, countermeasures are also needed which include compact diode laser light sources. Additionally, small and light equipment which provide a wide range of sensors and countermeasures is also needed (Selex Galileo, 2009). Land environment EW systems in land operations are very important to the military since most of their operations are done on land. In most countries their military forces are still equipped with old equipment which were utilized in the Second World War and thus are planning to adopt new ones. For instance, Canada has not yet adopted the new equipment and hence is planning to update its land EW equipment in a few years time (Farley Gauthier, 2008). According to Bellamy (1987), developments in the weapons platforms and protection have taken place gradually and slowly, and the external appearance of the battlefield can easily be seen for the year 2000 or 2010. However, in the EW field changes have occurred rapidly as new equipments are being made which serve the military better. The EW field has become like a battle field as military forces are trying to outdo each other. For instance, in equipping its military forces, the British government purchased the first soothsayer equipment at cost of about $220 million and was to start using it in 2006 (Deagel, 2003). Many countries inclusive of the United State of America are investing many funds in research on the EW systems in order to increase the military strengths (Szweda, 2000). The primary bands of the radar and its frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum are VHF, UHF and it continues onwards. The commonly used wave frequencies by the US, NATO and other military forces, ranges from about 26. 5 GHz to about 170 GHz (Bellamy, 1987). The communication channel contains a band of frequencies, however, during communications the equipment are tuned to certain frequency in order to communicate with the other person on the other side. For high communication quality broad band are essential, but are usually prone to jamming and interception by another person who could be the enemy. To avoid jamming or interception, narrow bands are therefore preferred and thus are most commonly used. On land EW systems and especially the radar components have many functions which are very useful to the military and some of them include; locating weapons, tracking shell, surveillance of battlefield, ground vehicle self protection, subsurface object detection, among others (Bretton, 1986). This information is essential for the military as it saves the lives of many military personnel. For instance, locating weapons allows military to detect land mines or bombs which have been laid down as a trap and hence are able to deactivate them. There are several EW techniques currently being used. For instance the British army is equipped with soothsayer EW equipment which is used for detecting and identifying radar and radio signals on the battlefield. This equipment is usually mounted on lightweight and armored military vehicles. Currently, the neodymium-YAG laser is also being used as optical range finders, however, the equipment is undergoing improvement in order to increase its smoke penetration power (Margiotta, 2004). Another technique being utilized is the signal intelligence. Signal intelligence (SIGNIT) This technique involves gathering intelligent information by intercepting signals between individuals using electronic equipment (Lindborg, 1997). It entails use of cryptanalysis since sensitive information is usually encrypted. Traffic analysis is also used in some cases to get valuable information. Through traffic analysis information concerning the sender and the receiver of that information and the quantity of information shared between the two individuals can be easily obtained (Shulsky Schmitt, 2002). This technique is broad and thus has many subdivisions; however, the two main subdivisions include communication intelligence (COMINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT). Currently, the SIGNIT techniques also involves use optical devices thereby making it more effective and efficient. a) COMINT This type deals with voice information or messages which are derived from an interception of foreign communications (Lockwood, 2006). This technique is used for text interception, voice interception, signal channeling interception and for monitoring friendly conversations (Yusof, 1999). Text interception is currently not being used by many military forces. Military forces of nations of the former Soviet Union are the still using it and it involves use of Morse code. Radio frequencies are scanned for character sequences and facsimile in order to get intelligence information. In voice interception the technique involves listening to voice communications over radios, telephones or through wiretaps. In cases where the communication is encrypted, the information is first decrypted through an intro-electric diagram process for it to be heard. However, the interceptor has to understand the language used in order to get the information. Furthermore, the technique is also utilized to monitor own communication in order to avoid leaking intelligence information to the enemy. b) ELINT This involves use of electronic sensors to gather intelligence information. This technique focuses mainly on non-communication signals intelligence. The process entails signal identification through analysis of certain parameters, then matching the signal parameter with known parameters or recording it as potential new emitter. The data collected is usually highly classified and hence given much security to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing it. The basic ELINT target are all radar types and these include fire control navigation, surveillance and all radars deployed on sea, land and even in the air. Other targets include navigation systems, data links, command links and telemetry links (Ince et al, 2000). In most cases and especially in times of peace, ELINT is performed regularly prior to a specific mission. Peace operations have the objective of obtaining the maximum possible information on a complete electromagnetic radiation within the areas of interest in any particular nation. In such cases, special ships, satellites, aircraft and land based ELINT facilities are utilized which operate in comprehensive reconnaissance schedules. Maritime In the maritime environment, the EW systems have to meet their operational capability requirements in order to be effective and hence meet their objectives. However, there is a high occurrence chance of adverse electromagnetic interference between the EW and sensor system, since the maritime platforms operate jointly and also the number of EW and sensor system fitted in the maritime platforms has been increasing continually (DallArmi-Stoks et al, 2007). EW systems are mainly utilized for intelligence gathering and for self protection. They are utilized for maritime surveillance because of their capability in detecting, classifying and identification of the targets by intercepting their communication and radar emissions. However, they are not useful when the target element is observing radio silence since there are no emissions of electromagnetic radiations (Ince et al, 2000). In target identification during surveillance, the method used by the EW systems involves finding several features in the intercepted signals which are unique to all emitters. These features mainly include; modulation, carrier frequency and stability, types and number of emitters, pulse width and pulse repetition frequency (Ince et al, 2000). Through the library carried by the interceptor, the target is identified. The library is usually obtained through ELINT as it collects and records much data from non-communication equipment radiation. The EW systems are usually installed in submarines or vessels for combat. There are several modern equipments which are currently being used but in limited number because of their cost. One is the naval laser warning system which is installed in surface ships. This system enables the ships command team to detect the presence of laser activity in the surrounding (Saab, 2009). They are essential for situation awareness as they allows individuals to detect any laser activity in their surrounding from the enemy. The laser warning system detects, classifies and identifies the threats and allows individuals to prepare themselves from any attack and to maneuver to safer locations. This system is also used in submarines for detection of anti-submarine LIDAR. Another EW system used is the submarine ELINT systems, which utilizes phase interferometer in order to increase accuracy when finding direction (Saab, 2009). This system comprises of radar Warner receiver antenna, an ELINT antenna, and EW processing unit installed in the vessel. Air Environment In the air environment, EW systems are used mainly for jamming, finding direction and for intelligence analysis of the ground military forces’ telephone, radio and Morse transmissions. Currently, the EW systems being used use complex command and control communications to link command posts and other posts such as weapons and radar posts (Boyne Fopp, 2002). In the past EW systems in the air force were not taken to be vitally important, but in the recent years they have become one of the critical parts of the air force plans (Gons, 2004). This is because the effectiveness of an aircraft depends greatly on the ability of the EW system. EW systems are essential for the military force to maintain dominance in the air and space. In aircrafts, the use of barrage jamming by simultaneous blocking a wide range of frequencies is currently becoming outdated since it utilizes much electrical power (Brown, 1986). Currently, lasers are being increasingly used because of their low power consumption, space saving, and many other advantages. A number of aircrafts are fitted with the modern optical devices which are entails use of lasers. One of the aircraft with modern optical devices is the air defense version of the Tornado (Brown, 1986). Optical devices used are the lasers radar which are considered to be less radical and helpful in visual recognition. There are also useful for aircraft recognition and tracking at long ranges which are usually achievable by air to air missiles. However, lasers have very narrow frequencies and thus can easily be tracked or intercepted. Furthermore, currently transferring electronic warfare capabilities across multiple platforms is not possible (AFPN, 2008). This can be attributed to lack of data standard or hardware. Conclusion and recommendation EW system EM compatibility should be addressed and managed properly using the correct procedures put in place in order to reduce EM interference. Otherwise the process of eliminating electromagnetic interference will become expensive and might affect the operational capability of the entire EW system. Consequently, adequate training might be helpful in ensuring that the proper procedures are followed. Ensuring that the right personnel have sufficient skills and knowledge on matters concerning EW system electromagnetic compatibility, interference problems will be greatly reduced. In addition to that, policies need to be developed and implemented to ensure that the correct procedures for addressing and managing the EW system electromagnetic compatibility are utilized. Policies will ensure that the technicians follow the proper procedures and not their own short cut procedures. In managing the complexity and the capability problems related to electromagnetic radiation in the EW system, it is essential that the electromagnetic capability and interference be assessed during the stages of planning, designing and even the development of the system. In addition to that assessment should be done during the installation and operation of the electronic and electrical equipment and all the stages should be governed by the electromagnetic interference control plan. Additionally, more research needs to be done on the EW systems used in the aircrafts. This is because transference of electronic warfare capabilities across multiple platforms is currently not possible. Since there is no data standard or hardware in existence, if one particular aircraft has tremendous capabilities against a certain threat, the capabilities have to be regenerated separately for other platforms. This process therefore wastes a lot time and money in regeneration of new aircrafts. This problem is not just affecting the air force but the entire military force. Researchers therefore need to concentrate more on weapon systems compatibility with electronic warfare programs. With more research standardized EW programs that are compatible with all or majority of weapon systems will be developed. In spite of the lasers being easily intercepted, they provide a number of useful advantages which include accuracy and long distance coverage. In order to eliminate the disadvantages in using lasers, research is essential and thus researchers need to find ways of maximizing the advantages of lasers and minimizing the disadvantages. However, researches need many funds and thus governments and other organizations need to invest money in funding these researches. Furthermore, an integrated approach is also needed that combines sensors, weapons, self protection systems and the centralized countermeasures systems. The approach entails use of preprogrammed automated control, command and communications networks which can transmit data from systems that collect it to EW systems. Consequently, a centralized command facility should be put in place which allows senior military officers to prioritize the threats and to determine the methods to use against that particular adversary system. Additionally, an integrated intelligence system is required which combines the large amount of data collected by the sensors and then transforms it to useful information. In conclusion, funds are essential in achieving all the above recommendations. Researches and especially scientific researches are usually expensive as they require modernized equipment, enough scientist and engineers who have adequate skills and knowledge. Governments and other world organizations therefore need to invest more money in electro-optic EW systems since they provide many advantages which are cost effective and efficient and thus useful for peace missions.

Reactions to The Birth of a Nation

Reactions to The Birth of a Nation Mohammad A. Mian The Emergence of Modern America It can be argued that no other film in American history has been as controversial as D.W. Griffiths silent epic film, The Birth of a Nation. The Birth of a Nation, which first premiered on February 8th, 1915, and was based on Thomas Dixons novel and play The Clansmen.[1] The film is set in the American Civil War and the period of Reconstruction during the 19th century, and chronicles the lives of two families, the Stonemans and the Camerons.[2] The Stonemans are an abolitionist Unionist family from the North, whereas the Camerons are a Southern family loyal to the Confederate cause during the American Civil War.[3] Throughout The Birth of a Nation, African Americans are portrayed as being savages, violent thugs, sexual predators, ill mannered brutes, and ballot stuffers. For this reason, despite the films positive reception among the American public and news outlets at the time of its release; The Birth of a Nation received a negative response from African Americans and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, both of which protested against the films premiere across American cities. Despite the criticism, the film was defended by various news outlets and Griffith himself. Many contemporary film critics and historians regard The Birth of a Nation as Americas first great cinematic feature, despite its controversial portrayal of African Americans. The focal point of The Birth of a Nation are two juxtaposed families, the Stonemans and the Camerons. Members of the Stoneman household are Austin Stoneman, an American legislator and abolitionist, his sons Phil and Todd, and his daughter Elsie.[4] The Cameron family consists of Dr. Cameron, a Southern physician and staunch Confederate after the outbreak of the Civil War, his wife Mrs. Cameron, his two daughters, Margaret and Flora, and his three sons, Benjamin, Wade, and Duke.[5] At the beginning of the film, Phil and Todd visiting the Cameron family estate in South Carolina.[6] Upon immediately seeing Margaret, Phil falls in love with her, whereas Benjamin is awestruck by a picture of Elsie.[7] A few months later, the American Civil War erupts, and the Cameron sons enlist in the Confederate Army, while Phil and Todd uphold their loyalty to the Union by joining the army of general Ulysses S. Grant.[8] During the war, Black militiamen attack and ransack the Cameron estate, but the wo men of the household are saved by a Confederate contingent which routs the militia.[9] The portrayal of African American soldiers as brutes and savages strongly correlates with the stereotypical portrayal of Blacks the filmmakers envisioned. By the conclusion of the war, Todd, Wade, and Duke are killed in the conflict, while Benjamin is captured and taken to a hospital in Washington D.C.[10] At the hospital, Benjamin meets Elsie, with whom he develops a romantic relationship. The deaths of Todd, Wade, and Duke were emotionally appealed to the films audience, many of whom likely lost relatives in the Civil War. During his stay at the hospital, Benjamin is informed that he is to be executed by hanging due his associations with the Confederate guerillas.[11] In order to seek a pardon for Benjamin, Elsie and Mrs. Stoneman meet with Abraham Lincoln, and both of them manage to convince the President to pardon him.[12] After President Lincolns assassination, Austin Stoneman and his fellow republicans impose harsh measures on wealthy White Southerners, such as land confiscation, ushering in the Reconstruction period in American history.[13] Austin Stoneman travels to the South Carolina to oversee the implementation of the reconstruction policies of the Republicans.[14] He is accompanied by a Mulatto governor, Silas Lynch.[15] Lynch is portrayed as having psychotic characteristics, a common stereotype of African Americans among White Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[16] In the Southern cities visited by Stoneman and Lynch, African American soldiers are seen harassing Whites, while triumphantly parading on the streets.[17] In these particular scenes, Black militias are portrayed as being ill mannered and brutish in comparison to the naÃÆ'Â ¯ve and gentle White Southerners.[18] During the regional elections, Whites are shown as being barred from voting, whereas African Americans cast multiple votes without any issue.[19] After the elections, the African Americans who are elected to South Carolinas legislature are portrayed as being ill mannered, as the film once again highlights seeks to portray them as being brutish.[20] Laws in favour of African Americans are also enacted, which require Whites to respect Black soldiers in their cities, and mixed marriages are also legalized.[21] All of these factors, culminate in Benjamins founding of the Ku Klux Klan to counter the ever increasing power of African Americans in the South.[22] After Elsie hears about the activities perpetrated by Benjamins organization against African Americans in the South, she abruptly ends their relationship.[23] Meanwhile, Bens sister, Flora commits suicide after being pursued by Gus, a Black freedman who seeks a romantic relationship with her.[24] Gus incontrollable carnal desires are meant to portray him as a sexual predator, a common stereotype associated with African American men during the late 1800s and early to mid 1900s.[25] After personally witnessing his sisters demise, Benjamin has Gus lynched by his fellow Klan members, and places his corpse in front of Lynchs house.[26] Lynch immediately issues orders to suppress the activities of the Klan, and in the process Benjamins father is arrested for being associated with the organization.[27] He is, however, ironically rescued by his loyal Black servants with Phil Stonemans aid.[28] After hearing of the imprisonment of Mr. Cameron, Elsie attempts to convince Lynch to stop his crac kdown on the Klan.[29] Lynch refuses and attempts to rape Elsie, but she is saved by Benjamin and other Klan members who also manage to capture Lynch.[30] The capture of Lynch by the Klan is meant to emphasize the heroicness of the Ku Klux Klan as defenders of White Americans, and stereotype African Americans as savages. In the following election day, Black voters are stopped from voting by members of the Ku Klux Klan, and Margaret and Phil, and Elsie and Benjamin are married.[31] The film concludes with the title Dare we dream of a golden day when the bestial War shall rule no more? But instead the gentle Prince in the Hall of Brotherly Love in the City of Peace.[32] Following its release in 1915, The Birth of a Nation was praised by American film critics writing for various news outlets during the following few decades, without any mention of the films racial stereotypes of African Americans. One notable review of the film is Seymour Sterns article BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance in The New York Times, which was published on March 24th, 1935. Despite their being a twenty-year gap between the films release and Sterns review, he reflected the view Americans had of the film upon its initial release. Stern wrote It appeared twenty years ago as an unforeseen and unprecedented phenomenon in the old fashioned movie world of the day. With it the cinema became one stroke of art, and its first masterpiece was acclaimed by the critics. Simultaneously was once and for all delivered from the gaudy dominion of the vaude-ville show, which at the time had a stranglehold upon it-and David Wark Griffith entered into the long and magnificent reign as the kin of directors.[33] Stern further praised the films impressive photography by stating The picture is so remarkable from such a variety of important aspects that it is not easy immediately to select any given one. Griffith introduced a multitude of technical innovations that have since become the part and parcel of filmcraft. Here for the first time he used night photography, self-focus photography, moving camera shots, lap dissolves, the split screen and acute camera angles. The low-angle shots of mounted clansmen looming over the frightened Negroes are unforgettable. His subtle use of the iris in this film marks the fruition of that device.[34] From both of these statements, it is evident that Stern had high regard for the film. In fact, he had such high regard for the film that he described it as one which innovated and transformed the entire motion picture industry. Sterns review of the film also showcase the prejudiced White Americans had towards African Americans, as he did not once mention the films controversial portrayal of Blacks as a hindrance to the films visual magnificence.[35] Furthermore, Sterns referral to African Americans as Negroes further suggest that he largely agreed with their portrayal in the film, which is not surprising considering the fact that African Americans continued to be stereotyped in American media until after the Second World War. While Stern had nothing but praise for the film, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People protested against the film, as did African American veterans of the First World War. In the year of and years following The Birth of a Nations release, many African Americans protested against its release in theatres. While the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People opposed the film immediately upon its initial release, they did not take direct court action against it until after the First World War. The NAACP launched its court case against the film in the State of New York in 1921, and it was covered by The New York Times in an article titled FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here-Griffith and Dixon Defend Film. The article, published on December 3rd, 1922, stated Demands that a revival showing of The Birth of a Nation be prohibited in this state as a glorification of the Klu Klux Klan and part of a local drive by Rev. Oscar Haywood to increase membership of the Klan were made yesterday at a hearing before the motion picture commission of the State of New York by Walter F. White, Assistant Executive Secretary for the Advancement of Colored People; Henry W. Shields, Senator Elect from the 21st District; and Alderman George W. Harris.[36] The NAACPs protests were carried out against a rescreening of the film in the State of New York in 1921.[37] Many of those involved were influential members of the African American community, and they were displeased by their portrayal in the film.[38] Eventually the protest resulted in a court case against the film, in which D.W. Griffith was also present.[39] Unfortunately for the NAACP, the judge of the case ruled in favour of the films screening by stating that it did not, in any way, promote the Ku Klux Klan, but rather, was a reflection of post-Civil War America.[40] The protests showcased the racial tensions present in the United States during the early 20th century, and they also reflected upon the desire of African Americans to see the film have its theatre permits revoked. For many African Americans, the film added to their negative image among many White Americans, an image which they sought eradicate. To make matters worse, the judicial authorities did not support the ple as of the NAACP. However, opposition to the film existed even before the official involvement of the NAACP, as in May 1921, African American war veterans protested against the films screening in front of the Capitol Theatre in New York.[41] In May 1921, African American veterans of the First World War and their wives protested against the screening of The Birth of a Nation in Capitol Theatre in New York. On May 21st, 1921, Negroes Oppose Film was published in The New York Times, and it covered these protests. The article reflected the opinions of the war veterans on the film by stating Negro ex-servicemen in uniform, flanked by negro women, gathered in front of the Capital to protest against the revival of The Birth of a Nation. Some of the pickets carried placards which read We represented America in France, why should The Birth of a Nation misrepresent us here? Others distributed circulars published by the Nation Association for the Advancement of Colored People which demanded, Stop the Klu Klux Klan propaganda in New York.[42] Ultimately, these protests did not result in a victory for the picketers, as five of their organizers were arrested by the police, including three women, although, they would all be released within a few days.[43] The failure of the protests evidenced the lack of regard the American political establishment had for African American war veterans and the stereotypical portrayal of their community in the film. In fact, D.W. Griffith continued to defend the film, and after the May protests, he was quoted by The New York Times as saying It is a source of regret to me that purely advised people are endeavoring to stir up animosity against The Birth of a Nation. The opposition is misguided, and was misproven and laid away many years ago. The leading villain in the story is a white man, who leads a misguided following into conflicts which do not reflect upon the negro. It there were the slightest ground for protest against the film it seems to me that white men would have claim to it than negroes. I shall be quite willing, however, to submit the matter under oath to the consideration of the court.[44] Griffiths comments are not surprising considering the popular attitude towards African Americans at the time. However, his assertion that African Americans were not the leading villains in the film has no justifiable ground considering the films stereotypical portrayal of them. It is also interesting to note that Griffith was open to take the matter to court. Considering the lack of regard American courts had for African Americans at the time, this is also not surprising. The lack of sympathy for African Americans among American courts is further evidenced by lack of intervention by federal courts against the film. For this reason, despite a ban on the film in three states and a few cities upon its initial release in 1915, it seemed that the film would continue to be screened in American theatres due to its popularity among the White populace.[45] Indeed, the NAACP continued to protest against the film up to the 1950s, as the film was continuously revived in American theatres. In 1950, picketers rallied against the revival of The Birth of a Nation outside the Beverly Theatre at 823 Third Avenue.[46] The protesters were upset the controversial film was being screened in the New York once again, despite it being 35 years since its initial release. The President of the NAACPs branch in New York, Lindsey H. White, led the protests, which was covered by The New York Times article FILM REVIVAL PROTESTED: N.A.A.C.P. Pickets Birth of a Nation at Beverly Theatre.[47] According to the article The revival of D.W. Griffiths silent-film classic The Birth of a Nation, was protested yesterday by Lindsey H. White, president of the New York branch, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mr. White stated that the film, now being shown at the Beverly Theatre, 823 Third Avenue, distorts the historical truths of Negro and White in the reconstruction governments that were set up in various at the close of the Civil War. The NAACP has been picketing at the theatre since Saturday.[48] The article reflects upon the frustration among African Americans to have the films screening in the Beverly Theatre stopped. It also showcases that while it had been three decades since the films release, American attitudes towards the films content largely remained the same. Despite this, the popularity of the film had largely declined, as Americans became more interested in the Western genre of films in the 1950s and 1960s. With the decline of the film, it has become common knowledge that the film is no longer as popular, nor as widely viewed as it once was since the 1970s. For contemporary film historians from the 1990s onwards, the film is still regarded as one which transformed the American film industry. Perhaps no lines from a contemporary critics review of The Birth of a Nation better capture the films legacy on American cinema than these from Molly Haskells article In The Birth of a Nation,: The Birth of Serious Film in The New York Times The defining moment for the motion picture as a mass medium, an art form and a disturbingly powerful social force occurred on a bitterly cold night on March 3, 1915, at the Liberty Theatre in New York. It was the world premiere of D.W. Griffiths The Birth of a Nation, an event of such cultural magnitude that 80 years later, controversies still rage about the film among film scholars about its racially charged images.[49] Throughout her review, Molly praises the film for its ground-breaking innovations, vivid, imagery, and ability to keep an audience engaged, which is remarkable for a film 2 hour and 40 minutes long silent film produced in the early 20th century.[50] She is, however, critical of the films content, especially its negative portrayal of African Americans, as she does not agree with their stereotypical mannerisms in the film.[51] Nevertheless, she concludes her review by stating In Griffiths masterpiece sublimity of expressed was marred by melodramatic racism. Yet The Birth of a Nation, warts and all, remains a milestone: the movie that catapulted the medium from its 19th-century peep-show origins into its status as the great new art form of the 20th century.[52] Thus, it can be said that, while The Birth of a Nation remains a controversial film among, there is no doubt it transformed the film industry into a corporate giant. Upon its initial release in 1915, The Birth of a Nation was positively received by the American public and news outlets alike. However, the film was staunchly opposed by Africans Americans for its stereotypical portrayal of their community. Furthermore, the film reflected the tensions which existed between African Americans and White Americans from the late 19th to mid 20th century. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples was at the forefront of the opposition to the film, and remained so until the 1950s, after which the film declined in popularity. Almost all film historians agree that the film innovated the American film industry. However, they have criticized the film for its discriminatory portrayal of African Americans. Bibliography Films Griffith, D.W. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. New York: Epoch Producing Co., 1915. Primary Sources DEFENDS FILM PRODUCTION: Griffith Says He Regrets Complaint Against Birth of a Nation.' The New York Times, May 9th, 1921. Accessed March 20th, 2017. FILM REVIVAL PROTESTED: N.A.A.C.P. Pickets Birth of a Nation at Beverly Theatre. The New York Times, May 19th, 1950. Accessed March 20th, 2017. FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here- Griffith and Dixon Defend Film. The New York Times, December 3rd, 1922. Accessed March 20th, 2017. NEGRO PICKETS IN COURT: Decision Reserved on Protest Against Film The Birth of a Nation. The New York Times, May 10th, 1921. Accessed March 21st. NEGROES OPPOSE FILM: Ex-Service Men Say Birth of a Nation Misrepresents Them. The New York Times, May 7th, 1921. Accessed March 20th. Haskell, Molly. In The Birth of a Nation, The Birth of Serious Film. The New York Times, November 20th, 1995. Accessed March 21st, 2017. Stern, Seymour. BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC.: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance. The New York Times, Mar 24, 1935. Accessed March 20th, 2017. Secondary Sources Christensen, Terry. Reel Politics, American Political Movies from Birth of a Nation to Platoon. New York: Basil Blackwell Inc, 1987. [1] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith (New York: Epoch Producing Co., 1915). Film. [2] Ibid. [3] Ibid. [4] Ibid. [5] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Film. [6] Ibid. [7] Ibid. [8] Ibid. [9] Ibid. [10] Ibid. [11] Ibid. [12] Ibid. [13] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Film. [14] Ibid. [15] Ibid. [16] Ibid. [17] Ibid. [18] Ibid. [19] Ibid. [20] Ibid. [21] Ibid. [22] Ibid. [23] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Film. [24] Ibid. [25] Ibid. [26] Ibid. [27] Ibid. [28] Ibid. [29] Ibid. [30] Ibid. [31] Ibid. [32] Ibid. [33] Seymour Stern. BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC.: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance. (The New York Times, Mar 24, 1935), X4. [34] Ibid. [35] Seymour Stern. BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC.: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance., X4. [36] FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here-Griffith and Dixon Defend Film. (The New York Times, December 3rd, 1922), 29. [37] Ibid. [38]ÂÂ   FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here-Griffith and Dixon Defend Film., 29. [39] Ibid. [40] Ibid. [41] NEGROES OPPOSE FILM: Ex-Service Men Say Birth of a Nation Misrepresents Them. (The New York Times, May 7th, 1921), 8. [42] Ibid. [43] NEGRO PICKETS IN COURT: Decision Reserved on Protest Against Film The Birth of a Nation. (The New York Times, May 10th, 1921), 6. [44] DEFENDS FILM PRODUCTION: Griffith Says He Regrets Compl