Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Youth Culture Of Punk - 1710 Words

Youth cultures have been subject to a variety of changes since their emergence. Youth cultures that have endured such profound change include rockers, flappers, punks, hippies and skinheads. In this essay I have decided to focus solely on the youth culture of punk, and the differences it has been subject to when the subculture first emerged compared to in a contemporary context. In doing this I have decided to include information about the emergence and origins of punk, features or style of the punk subculture, how the subculture has changed since its emergence, contemporary punk today and why it is apparent that the punk subculture has changed. Emergence and Origins of Punk The punk subculture first surfaced in the 1970s and by the mid-1990s punk had made the transition from a secluded underground group or tribe of people to a more commercialized or mainstream movement (Haenfler, 2010). The punk movement first emerged as a way of rebellion and protest and an outlet for the youth of the 1970s to shock their adult counterparts. Clark (2003, p. 223) poses the idea that the beginning of punk was a rebellious act â€Å"which emerged to fight even the normalization of subculture itself, with brilliant new forms of social critique and style’†. This rebellion, anarchy or ‘calculated anger’ that Clark speaks of, resulted in a state of moral panic throughout Britain due to the raw work of The Sex Pistols which caused upheaval by media, parliament and the public (Clark, 2003). Punk rockShow MoreRelatedThe Band Called Greenday1489 Words   |  6 Pagestheir catchy punk rock tunes. Leading the way for Punk Rock culture, they were youths a nd 20 somethings’ outlet for expressing their frustration and angst with puberty, adolescence and the beginning of adulthood. Each day society would see another kid ending up as a victim of a broken or abusive home, leaving the number of youths raising themselves, ever on the rise. At the time of Green Day’s rise to fame the generation of youth strongly identified with the Punk Rock scene and culture that was homeRead MoreHegemony and Youth Culture1087 Words   |  5 Pagesdemonstrated in youth culture. Willard states that the cultural authority of the dominant society must be questioned as to its legitimacy in the dominant role as the authority plays an important role in its production (739). Talcott Parson (qtd. in Osgerby) says that youth in his view, established behaviours and values, often perceived by older generations as unique and different from the dominant society which spread among the youth to form what is now known as â€Å"Youth Culture† (109). SubcultureRead MoreEssay on The Origination Of Punk Rock1079 Words   |  5 PagesOrigination of Punk Rock nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The time was in the mid-seventies, there was a void in the music industry that needed to be filled. This need for a new sound was aptly filled by punk rock, a new type of sound that had evolved from mostly rock and a little pop music. The focus of this paper is on punk rock and it’s ample beginnings, early pioneers of the new sound, punk rock listener’s cultural background and their ideas as a whole, bands influenced by the punk rock movementRead More Punk music in the 70s and 90s Essay1371 Words   |  6 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Punk music has gone through an evolution ever since the punk explosion in the late seventies. Although todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s punk music retains most of the ideology and sound that defines the punk genre, there are some distinct differences between Nineties and Seventies punk. Most of the punk bands to emerge and gain popularity in the nineties mostly hailed from California (Green Day, the Offspring, etc.). Punk vanguards from the seventies hailed from the East Coast and from GreatRead MoreEssay on Youth Culture1434 Words   |  6 PagesEssay on Youth Culture The 60’s and 70’s saw the rise of youth culture. Youth culture can be seen as a particular pattern of beliefs, values, symbols and activities that a group of young people are seen to share. Along with the rise of youth culture came the theories developed on it. The theories developed in the 60’s were mainly functionalism. Functionalists believe that society or a social structure is like a biological structure and that all social institutions function for the survivalRead MorePunk Music : The Influence Of Punk Rock Music1559 Words   |  7 Pages The origins of Punk Rock have been stated as unknown. However, true â€Å"punk† has long lived in the hearts of the youthful subcultures in America, the United Kingdom, and Australia, since the late 1960’s and early 70’s. During this time, Punk Rock, which was influenced by Rock and Roll, offered its upbeat compositions and in-your-face lyrics, which brought some intelligence to the get drunk, get laid mentality that prevailed. Much like a shot of adrenaline to a dying heart, Punk Rock regeneratedRead MoreIs Dance Music a Subculture or Has it Now Become a Culture in its Own Right?967 Words   |  4 PagesSubculture or Has it Now Become a Culture in its Own Right? Classically subcultures define themselves as other and subordinate to the dominant culture. Many cultural theorists such as Stuart Hall and Dick Hebdige have been chiefly concerned with the ways in which subcultures subvert and pose a resistance to the established order through their expressive dress codes and rituals. Dance music seems to depart from these theories of youth culture, since it has not establishedRead MorePunk Subculture1702 Words   |  7 Pagessubcultures often distinct through different subcultural capitals. This essay will interpret the notion of ‘subcultural capital’ thoroughly and analyses how it assists subgroups differentiate themselves from other social groups, especially focusing on the punk subcultural capital and its contemporary condition. Based on the theoretical foundation on cultural capital originally put forward by Bourdieu, Thornton further developed this notion ‘subcultural capital’ to make sense of the distinctions made byRead More Subculture Essay1165 Words   |  5 Pagesgroups. In analyzing the specific subculture of â€Å"punk†, these questions seem to fall towards the greater issue of â€Å"external vs. internal†. External indicates that this subculture is making a statement, merely through an image culminated on the exterior. Internal suggests a deeper, often political, and vigorously bold statement, such as protesting for citizens’ rights, rebelling against class structure, or publicly claiming a self- identity. Also, was punk a movement that said what it wanted to, and isRead MoreCulture and Music Essay921 Words   |  4 PagesCulture and Music George Gershwin once said, â€Å"True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today.† Over the years, no form of art has attached itself to humanity more than music. Music has been creating and destroying cultures in the Twentieth Century at a very rapid rate. Fads come and go, but true music and the heart behind it never dies. The story of subcultures in and through modern music has to start in the

Monday, December 16, 2019

Brand Equity Essay Free Essays

string(183) " behavioral approach that the company has towards the clients while creating awareness, the attitudinal approach of the consumers and the multi-domain approach that combines the two\." Brand equity is the manner in which the customers perceive the commodity in the market. When goods and services are branded in a way that impresses the client, the purchase power becomes high as opposed to the product that is not branded. Keller and Lehmann (2003), supports the fact that branding of the commodities is very important to the consumers because it increases the taste hence attract many clients. We will write a custom essay sample on Brand Equity Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now On the other hand, Kallapur and Kwan (2004), support the idea by analyzing that branding increase the value of the products sold. Clients are more impressed when the goods are branded since it increases the level of trust to them. Interbrand (2011) in the United States was rated among the best because the turn up of the clients to buy goods and services was very high. Brand equity is a great relative measure that enables the company to give a comparison with its competitors, for this reason therefore, it has great impact on the financial value of the commodities branded.It gives a multi-reflection on the products on display, the firm that produces the goods and other related attributes. Keller (1993) found the model used in brand equity. From his point of view, he states that from the consumers, one is able to apprehend the value of the brand equity of the product. The brand of a particular product only sells widely if the consumers feel the taste, they have good experiences ion the brand and if there is long accumulation of that brand to them. In the dimension of brand equity, Keller (2001) gives an example with two items where one is branded and the other one is not branded. Due to the fact that one product is branded and the clients are well vast with it, it penetrates in the market faster as opposed to that which is not branded. Another important aspect in brand equity is when it is customer based. Customer based brand equity in this case is to say that the customers themselves have the sole decision making about a particular products. Negative views and analysis on the product gives it a knock out in the market. In this regard, customer based brand equity is very instrumental in and an important tool for the loyalty of the consumers. Kotler Keller (2006) explains the customer loyalty is very precious; it provides security of particular product in the market. It also predicts the level of demand that the clients will eventually have on the very product. On the other hand, it can act as a barrier to other firms that may be having a similar interest in supplying the same goods in the market. Brand Awareness The concept of brand awareness has drawn attention to many academics practitioners. Awareness of a particular product depends on the way it is advertised. More advertised products create awareness to the clients than the product which are not advertised. When advertised, consumers become more popular with the products and they try them most of the time. For customer awareness to be created, the image of the product must be of high quality and likened by the clients. Clients play a very pivotal role in creating awareness on the product. Goods that are widely used by clients are branded with good image and the clients are motivated to use them. While creating awareness on the product, it is important to point out the price that is friendly to the clients which makes them forgo other products to the newly branded. The awareness should be created on the importance of the very product and how it helps the community as opposed to other goods. In the increasingly competitive market place today, it is important for companies to create awareness on the products in time so as to compete other companies producing related products. Reaching customers in time, allows them to organize for good market strategies that enable the goods to be sold within the shortest time possible. The image that the costumers get when awareness is created to them is very essential in determining whether the product will penetrate the market or not. Keller (2010) argues that with the proliferation of brands and awareness of the goods in the market, the consumers make their purchase decisions depending on the price quoted during advertisement. When the price is too high, the goods are more likely to be bought by people living in high class. On the other hand, when the price quoted is too low, the low economic class will go for the products. For this matter therefore, it is inherent for the companies to quote the price that is friendly and can be managed by everyone. This makes the product to be supplied easily within the shortest time possible. Also, the relationship of the satisfaction of the client and the image of the product is directly proportional. A lot of recent research has been carried in service industries to prove this. Good image of the product to the client makes the product to trend much in the market unlike the product that has bad image. Moreover, although positive impact of brand image on customers’ satisfaction and their loyalty can be testified, the brand image does not only affect the loyalty of the customers but also has an impact on other mediating factors. Most importantly, the channel used to create awareness to the consumers is very essential. Using email and wozap, for example, which many local customers might not be having, exposes the product to have a lesser image to the clients. Only a few people will be reached hence created little awareness. Therefore, it is important to create awareness to customers through a channel that is easily accessed by many clients. Brand Loyalty Brand loyalty presents a well defined bibliography on the subject through various scopes. Loyalty of customers to a particular product depends on various factors. The factors herein are the behavioral approach that the company has towards the clients while creating awareness, the attitudinal approach of the consumers and the multi-domain approach that combines the two. You read "Brand Equity Essay" in category "Essay examples" The manner in which the company approaches the consumers and informs them about the product matters a lot in either them accepting or refusing to buy the product. Here, there is a lot of aspect that should be considered. The choices of words matters a lot, using language that is friendly to the consumers makes the like the product itself. The reaction to the clients enables them to choose whether or not to buy from the company. A company that has friendly language to the consumers portrays a positive behavior as opposed to that company that has no choice of words. Also, good choices of words makes the consumers have a positive attitude and likeness towards the products on advertisement. In this dictum, the company using a positive attitudinal approach is likely to bring more consumers to their attention as opposed to the one that does not care about the attitude. A combination of the two is very paramount for the growth and retention of the customers. In order to have long lasting customers, there should be conversant with the way they are addressed. The business law states that a client is ever right even when wrong, for this reason, they should be treated with a lot of decorum and respect since without them; there is high possibility of goods not going through the market. Building a positive attitude on customers about the products makes them have confidence and trust on the company and the products. The manner in which loyalty to clients was handled has greatly changed. Loyalty is increased through regulation of prices in the market. A fair and friendly price on commodities makes the clients more loyal to the company hence buying more goods. The tendency also states that it is very easy to attain new consumers than to retain the existing ones. This is so because knowing the behavior of new customers may require additional cost and this may affect the company if there is no loyalty. For this reason companies have found it more prudent to increase the value of innovative products and increase the global competition for products too. This makes the clients to remain loyal to the companies. They are retained by ensuring that the products given to them are of high quality as opposed to the competing partners. A lot of studies have been done o increase the brand loyalty based on behavioral definitions. Most importantly, Gounaris and Stathakopoulos (2004) gives explanation on the various types of loyalty depending on the price. No purchase is a case where the customer does no purchase totally since they have to interest on the brand. In covetous loyalty, the consumers are not purchasing yes but they are emotionally tied the products because of the social environment created to them during branding. For the case of inertia loyalty, the consumers have propensity towards the brand. They only buy because they are advertised or any related person has bought. Lastly, premium loyalty, where there is emotional tie and social effect is extremely high and the customers are really motivated to buying the products. It is most important for the companies to convince their customers to have premium loyalty. Perceived Quality It is defined as the judgment that is made by the customer on the services that are provided in an organization Chen and Chang (2013). The judgment made by the client in this case depends on the durability of the product, attention that they are given, the worthiness of the commodity and the safety. The perception that the customers have on the products is very vital for the selling of the commodity in the market. Poor perception leads to low turnout in the market avenue while positive perception makes the goods be sold more. Perceived quality affect the risk in which then customers have towards the product. The quality of the product enable the client to risk in taking it to try using even if he had never tried it before. But when the quality is low, one would not be motivated in using the product. Therefore, the companies that produce quality makes expose clients to a lot of risks since they are curious to know the taste of the products. Another factor that the research gives herein is that trust is also affected by perceived quality Chen and Chang (2013). The results indicate that good quality has positive impact to the clients. When the costumers get the eminence of the products they need, they tend to build a lot of trust on the product and the company producing them. On the other hand, poor production tends to reduce the degree at which the consumers trust the suppliers. This makes lead to clients running away from the services and go to where the services are better. Therefore, investment on green perception increases the level at which the customers perceive the quality of the product and the vice versa. In marketing, customers’ satisfaction is the most important aspect. It occupies a bigger part in observation and theory on the products. Before organizations introduce new products in the market, they have to ask themselves whether the clients will be satisfied with the products or not. If the answer is no then they have to make good approaches to deal with it. Dealing with it means making good quality that will appeal to the eyes of the costumers. Satisfaction differs from customer to customer. What satisfy one client may not be the same as what makes the other client happy. Satisfaction depends on fashion, texture, price among many other factors. Therefore, the organization should try at all cost to create satisfaction to the clients despite the factors. The quality of the product that satisfy customer should include different features as well as enhancing good performance of the product. It should be liked by many clients as far as satisfaction of their needs is concerned. The research also point out that perceived quality also depends on both intrinsic and extrinsic cues. In this case, the physical quality of the products gives the customers to have more expectation of similar goods next time. Therefore, managers should be more vibrant in and interested in implementing the cues that increase the brand equity. On a similar note, they should also make necessary marketing and appropriate actions that enable these cues arrived at and implement them accordingly. Brand Association Brand association is nodes of information that has the real meaning of brands within the mind of the customer. Any thought that is linked to the mind of the customer about the brand is termed as brand association. Most of the marketers use brand association to help in creating good position of the products to be bought by the customer. They enact psychological preparation to the clients to enable them acquire the products. Consumers on the other hand, use the brand association in making decision whether to acquire goods or not. For long, scholars have had varied opinions on the manner in which brand association should be categorized because there are several aspects that constitute to brand association. Because of this, there are three categories of brand association, attitude, attribute and the attitude. Keller (2013) divides attributes into two, product and non-product categories. Products related are the ingredients that are very vital for the production of quality goods and services and they are mainly sought by the consumers. Contrary to this, the non-product attributes consist of the outer aspects of the products like the price and usage. These factors are determined by the company and through them; the customers can either be attracted or distracted from obtaining goods and services. Attitude in this case refers to the behavior that the customers develop on the products after usage. Once they start using the goods and services, they are at a position of evaluating whether the products are impressing or not. The impression made on first experience carries the rest of the days. In addition, benefits are the special values that one gets by using the products. The client can get the benefit through the product`s functionality in the body, through experiential, where he feels the usage of the product. Good use of products enables the clients to like the goods and develop the intrinsic urge to use them always. It is also important to note the symbolic benefit which is extrinsic. It refers to the external benefits associated with the buying of goods and services. They include the after sale services like delivery, social status, prestige, and augmentation made on the product. These factors attract clients by a great margin. Cheng-Hsui Chen (2001) points out that accompany that employ the principle are more like to excel as opposed to the company which does not. The empirical study states that brand association is very important since it helps in examining on the brand equity (Fayrene Lee, 2011). Brand equity can contribute to a positive impact to organization because it increases the customers’` ability and willingness to buy goods and services. Because of this reason, it stands a great motive of having a favorable association beside the consumers as the main objective in realizing high output. How to cite Brand Equity Essay, Essays

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Polish Immigrants to the US Essay Example For Students

Polish Immigrants to the US Essay e development of a land poor, agricultural poor country led to many Polish migrating West in hope of finding a better sense of life. This was true of my stepfathers grandparents, who came to the United States from Poland around 1915. During the late 19th and early 20th Century, social as well as economical hardships fell upon a country which saw more then three million emigrate overseas to the New Land. (American Identity). The mass movement of people was the result of the reforms of the legal systems governing land ownership in all three states occupying parts of Poland. Upon the collapse of the feudal system, many poor polish peasants inherited land that was simply unaffordable to them. The peasants had to pay the previous landowner for their small farms; they did this by working at his farm, usually hard long hours allowing minimal hours for him to farm his own land. Thrusting all other members of family to find work in any area possible to put food on the table. Jobs however, wer e simply not to be had due to the economical backwardness, which occurred by the vast rise in population and the slow industrial growth. The mass amounts of manpower looking for jobs, coupled with a very new industry which couldnt support the mass manpower led to mass migration out of Poland into many countries, the greatest of these the United States. The emigrant travels usually started by train, bringing them from their homeland to ship ports across Europe. Once at such ports, a ticket was to be purchased, costing anywhere from $25-35, which enabled the passage to begin. The voyage, lasting about two months in the mid 1800s fell drastically to eight to fifteen days in the early 1900s. Aboard huge steamboats, migrants were cramped and sleeping space was confined to compacted bunks, outlined by poor ventilation. A report to congress in 1909 called the conditions disgusting and demoralizing (American Identity Immigrants arriving in NY 1906). Upon arrival to America, immigration authorities first investigated them. Arrival for the early immigrants landed them in Castel Garden Island, and later on Ellis Island. After passing through immigration, which consisted of medical as well as legal inspection, Poles were often met by relatives or representatives of Polish National Union or some other organization. Typically, however, they had to continue their journey by themselves. Clearing immigration inspection many Poles were attracted to midwestern life, namely Detroit and Chicago because of the vastly increasing opportunity for occupation. Of the many options, which were presenting was; the building of railroads, the paving of streets, and in the citys rapidly expanding manufacturing industries. Between 1910 and 1920 the number of foreign born whites in Detroit nearly doubled. The largest group, the Poles, accounted for 20% of foreign born whites (American Identity Thirteenth U.S. Census). Poles were attracted to manufacturing rich parts of the United States. The labor force used in large part for this industrial expansion comprised of Polish immigrants. Unskilled in any trade, the Poles were forced to begin their careers at the lowest level of employment. As such groups as the Germans and Irish sought advancements in their occupational opportunities, the Polish were forced to the unskilled lower paying professions. Such professions included in stove work s, in cigar and tobacco factories, in foundries, in machine shops, in construction work, and in packing houses. Women, at first found mainly in the domestic service, in the bean factories, and in farm work, soon drifted to the cigar factories, the match factories, to hotels and restaurants, and to tailoring establishments. (Dziennik Polski, 4 (Fri. Dec. 20, 1907). 1-4, Col. 7; Personal interviews.) Polish immigrants tried to fit into American culture. With the key to success for Polish to be like the many, English was mandatory as well as American customs. On the contrary, Chinese immigrants who mostly settled in California, mainly the San Francisco area developed a self-sufficient community, which was properly labeled Chinatown. Unlike the Polish, Chinese immigrants consisted of 90% males that worked to support not only themselves but also family back home. Chinese workers played a key role in the Californian agricultural development. (American Identity Chinese agricultural worker s). Working conditions, much like that of the Polish was very unsanitary. Bottom of the barrel jobs where cheap labor was needed, laid the commonality between Chinese and Polish job-hunts. Another group, which likewise was shown discrimination against, was the Italians. They unlike the Polish didnt migrate entirely to the industrial boom. Many went to California to do what they knew best, fishing. However, many Italians like the Polish took seasonal work as well as working for the railroads (American Identity Italian Occupations). In contrast, all of these groups had a common identity. All cultures came to make money the best way they could. By doing this, all had the commonality of a better lifestyle. .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 , .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .postImageUrl , .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 , .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535:hover , .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535:visited , .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535:active { border:0!important; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535:active , .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535 .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3d10b21e8a1e19616df56744cd3b9535:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Pearl Harbor - Brief Look EssayPolish migrants, being deeply devoted religious people, built expensive churches to ease their transition into America. The first Polish settlement was organized in the neighborhood of the first Polish Roman Catholic church. Built as luxurious palaces, the Church united the Polish, as a common symbol that eluded pride out of the timid new Americans. Bringing a sense of unity at a time where self-searching was definite, these churches united the Poles into proud Polish-Americans. In the Polish communities, building and loan cooperatives began early and spared widely. Centered by their core, the church, it was run by a wide interest of people w ho got to share their views equally. Its purpose was to amass funds from small regular contributions upon which members could draw to purchase homes. This was the basis for which their first mutual aid society were formed. The death benefit ran in a similar style, amassing financial effectiveness by having individuals pay small amounts yearly until the death of the loved one occurred. The insurance covered a proper burial, as well as finical stability once the loved one passed on. A larger association, free from church ties was the Polish National Alliance. Made up of many smaller organizations helped guide the Polish into a easier transition into American life. The Union encouraged all Polish to take on an American style of living, by encouraging them to vote, become U.S citizens, and to take stand in the Nations public needs. It has encouraged Polish people to build their social institutions, including parishes and schools, and to actively support further advancements of these ins titutions (American Identity). Establishing a better means cannot simply occur through self-involvement alone. The reactions and the responses the Poles encountered helped mold them into Americans. The great goal of America was to impress the men, that they are, or should be Americans, and that prior alliance to any other country shall be disregarded (American Identity English School outside of Ford Plant). Polish Americans, better then most groups blended with the American style of life and with its previous inhabitants. The attitude of the Poles towards slavery was very strongly against the issue. Since they themselves were against all forced servitude in their motherland, they didnt support American enslavement. Because of this, many Polish were treated like the Blacks themselves. Problems arrived with the Jewish race soon after the End of WW1. Polish-Jewish relations were strained by tensions over events in Eastern Europe concerning Polands return to independence, the plight of its largest minority, and the p ost-war Minorities Treaty extending equal rights to ethnic minorities (American Identity Peddling in Hamtramck). Following the 1890s, a gradual rise in the social status of Poles from unskilled to skilled labor or to independent business activity is evident. While nearly all the Poles before 1890 could be classified as laborers, in 1900, according to Federal statistics, the percentage of that group decreased to approximately 47 per cent. Although not absolutely conclusive, these statistics show the general tendencies in economic life: the Poles were making their way into practically every field of economic activity; there were among them brokers, bookkeepers and accountants, commercial travelers, electricians, engineers, foremen, government officials, officials of banks and companies, and the like. In the professional fields the Poles had few representatives during the first two or three decades (J. 0. Curwood, An Ethnographical Study of Detroit, The Detroit News-Tribune, 68 (Sun. Aug. 21, 1904), 4, Col. 3.)