Strategic Management Crafting And Executing Strategy

Strategic Management Crafting And Executing Strategy You are required to perform strategic planning for your organisation or one you are familiar with in your country or region and: Develop a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values, and explain their appropriateness Undertake and internal analysis of the organisation and analysis of its external environment, using several appropriate models like an industry five forces analysis. Craft strategies and explain their appropriateness You do not need to develop implementation processes. But you should mention the critical importance of implementation, execution and evaluation of strategies you come up with for this assignment. Word count Executive summary Strategic Management has come to be recognized as an inherent part of management in all organisations. This paper surrounds the development of a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values, and the explanation of their appropriateness while taking into consideration the SWOT analysis and the crafting of strategies for the AP Fishing Company which can lay a solid foundation for sustainable future business growth. Explanations will be surrounding the critical importance of implementation, execution and evaluation of strategies. Table of Contents Introduction 6 Background 7 Vision statement 8 Mission Statement 8 Statement of Values 9 Appropriateness Vision, Mission and Statement of values 10 SWOT ANALYSIS 10-11 Porter Five forces analysis 12 Pestel Analysis 13-14 Craft strategies and explain their appropriateness 14-16 Importance of implementation and execution strategies 16 Importance evaluation of strategies 17 Conclusion 17 References 18 1. Introduction The aim of this paper is to craft strategies for the AP Fishing Company which I have understudied, develop a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values, and explain their appropriateness while taking into consideration the SWOT analysis. Firstly I will explain and develop a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values. Secondly, I will undertake an internal analysis of AP Fishing Company and analysis of its external environment, using several appropriate models like PESTEL analysis and Porters five forces. Finally, I will explain the critical importance of implementation, execution and evaluation of strategies. In addition, meaningful conclusions will be drawn from the discussions arising from Strategic Management issues. The relevant information and content for this paper were gathered from books, lectures and internet research. I wish to acknowledge the assistance of my wife and colleagues for their valuable contributions toward this paper. 2. Background Located on the East Bank of the Demerara, in Guyana, AP Fishing Company is Guyanas pioneering fishing industry in Snapper, for both local and export market. The company has eleven trawlers which are equipped with cold storage facilities for deep water fishing and turtle excluding devices (TEDs) to avoid entrapment of turtles in the trawler nets. All trawlers are registered and are licensed by type; these trawlers would go fishing in pairs and they would spend approximately twenty one days and then return with their catch. The superior quality catch would be packaged and sold to the international market, while the remaining catch would be sold to the local wholesale markets. 3. What is a vision statement? According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010) A strategic Vision Statement points an organization in a particular direction, charts a strategic path and moulds the organizations identity. In other words, a Vision Statement defines where the organisation wants to be in the future and how it will achieve it and what kinds of human resources it needs to achieve this. A P Fishing does not currently have an established Vision Statement. An ideal Vision Statement would read as follows: We are concerned with providing superior quality Snapper fish for local and export market without significantly sacrificing natural resources. Our business is always focused on long term viability of this industry through safe, responsible and sustainable practices. 4. What is a Mission Statement? A Mission Statement defines the goals and objectives the organisation wishes to achieve presently. According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010), a Mission Statement identifies who we are, what we do and why we are here. Present Mission Statement reads as follows: To satisfy our customers needs by providing the best snapper An ideal Mission Statement would read as follows To acquire, process and market quality Snapper at competitive prices in the local market and to establish A P Fishing as the leading exporter in the country. To implement and maintain more environmentally friendly processes by the utilization of bio degradable packaging components without sacrificing company brand and competitive advantage. 5. A Statement of values According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010), A Statement of Values consists of the beliefs, traits and ways of doing things that management has determined should guide the pursuit of its vision and strategy AP Fishing Company has the following values of which the employer and employees have recognised, reiterated from time to time and implemented throughout the company since its inception. Core Values Accountability: We must be held accountable for our actions. We make and support business decisions through experience and good judgment. Customer Service Excellence: We are dedicated to satisfying customer needs and honoring commitments that we have made to them, both locally and internationally Teamwork: Our team is supportive of each others efforts, loyal to one another, and care for each other both personally and professionally. Balance: We are flexible, helping team members strike a healthy work and life balance. Community and environment: We strive to help and improve the communities where we work and live. We are concerned about the environment and promote the use of recyclable products and renewable energy. Integrity: We act with honesty and integrity, not compromising the truth. Respect: We treat our team members, customers, partners and suppliers with mutual respect and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of diversity. We respect all individuals and value their contributions. Open Door Communication: All team members are encouraged to openly share their opinions and views. 6. Appropriateness of Vision, Mission and Statement of values The vision, mission and values statement of company are very important, since the vision defines the companys future, where the mission defines the present goals and objectives of the company which are measurable and values are the core values, which the company has built its reputation on, so it is very essential to have these statements established early in any company to have a competitive advantage. 7. What is SWOT ANALYSIS? SWOT means Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Strengths and Weaknesses are considered to be internal factors over which the company has some measure of control. Opportunities and Threats are considered to be external factors over which the company may have essentially little or no control. 7.1. Internal 7.1.1. Strengths The internal strengths of A P Fishing Co. are as follows: It provides opportunities for employee professional growth and personal achievement. It provides training in all diversified areas of the fishing profession so that employees are versatile and multi-skilled and are equipped to effectively handle any job on the trawlers out at sea. Highly skilled and experienced employees in the fishing profession. Markets: to penetrate or create new markets. The fishing industry is a thriving industry. The possibility for market growth is high and A P Fishing Company has the ability to increase its market share. This type of industry is obviously an industry with a long life cycle and will not become obsolete unlike other technologically advanced products with relatively short life cycles. In addition, A P has opportunities to diversify into production and packaging of other types of fishes in order to establish versatility, higher profitability and competitive advantage. 7.1.2 Weaknesses The internal weaknesses of A P Fishing Co. are as follows: Managers and staff are not competent in other functions of the company such as accounting and human resource management. Employees are somewhat affected by seasonal unemployment when the trawlers are grounded and fishing season is closed. Key employees in management positions are nearing retirement. 7.2 External 7.2.1Opportunity Good market demand both locally and internationally. Growth in demand for more organic and healthy food . The noticeable change in food preferences of people can only boost the fishing industry. The growing preference of fish over chicken as a major source of protein and as a healthy combination of any diet has tremendously contributed to the immense growth in demand for fish. 7.2.2. Threats There is always threat of new entrants to the snapper fishing industry which threatens the availability of this resource to all relevant stakeholders. There is always the threat that snapper, albeit a renewable resource, will not replenish itself as fast as it is utilized by current fishing industries. There is no regulation that currently seeks to promote sustainable development in these industries. There also exists the threat of poaching by foreign vessels in the snapper areas due to the lack of adequate and experienced coast guards to protect and prevent alien invasion in local waters. 8. Porter Five forces analysis 8.1 Rivalry among sellers Fish wholesalers are competing assiduously for business. When fish wholesalers are similar in size and capability, they can usually compete on a fairly even footing. When fish is scarce, it usually results in increase in the fish prices. When competitors see opportunities to satisfy customer in a unique way or are under pressure to improve performance, they will compete tirelessly to win customers confidence. 8.2 Threat of new entrants Despite the absence of stringent regulations restricting the number of companies in the fishing business, the threat of new entrants may still be relatively low because of the high initial capital investment, know how, fishing and export licence requirement and the relative large sizes of existing fishing businesses which benefit tremendously from economies of scale. 8.3 Threat of Substitute products There are many alternatives to Fishsuch as chicken, pork, beef etc and these alternatives are exploited when fish is scarce. However, the growing emphasis on healthy eating may mean that some customers may be willing to pay premium prices when the product is scarce and some may revert to substitutes which are more affordable. 8.4 Bargaining power of Suppliers In the fishing industry, the supply of fish is not dependent on human intervention so much but on various forces out at sea. Therefore, water pollution through oil spillages, pouching by foreign vessels are some things which may affect the bargaining power of suppliers. In the fishing industry there are many alliances and partnerships which are focused on protecting and improving the fishing industry. 8.5 Bargaining power of customers Wholesalers are one of the important competitive forces in the fish industry; they can often dictate prices by buying in bulk. The wholesalers benefit from economies of scale and as such fishing companies make very small margins on such sales. The wholesalers, however, can demand premium prices from retail customers who are health conscious and not price sensitive. 9. Pestel Analysis 9.1Political The Guyana Government is encouraging deep-sea fishing activity and is supporting this development by way of granting small loans, grants, adequate incentives, infrastructure and training programmes. Future development is expected to focus on further expansion of fresh and processed fish products and related manufacturing activities, catering for both domestic and export market needs. 9.2 Economical According to (Anon., 2008) The fisheries sector is a significant contributor to Guyanas economy, with 3% of total GDP accruing from the sector. The fishing industry employs around 6,500 people in harvesting and a further 6,000 people in processing, with many more benefiting indirectly through fishing related industries such as boat building and gear supply and repair. 9.3 Social AP Fishing Company has created many jobs for the locals and also increase their spending power by paying these persons a relatively good salary and also bonuses on every trip depending on the catch. AP Fishing Company has taken a personal interest in developing the community and keeping it clean. 9.4 Technological Technological advancement has tremendously affected A P Fishing Industry inclusive of innovative improvements in fishing processes, packaging and the development of products. It has also improved administrative functions such as the dissemination of information, receipt of orders, and delivery of products or services. 9.5 Environmental The increasing emphasis on environmental protection and waste disposal has led A P Fishing to change its current packaging to more bio degradable components. It is also foreseeable that A P Fishing will continue to make its processes more environmentally friendly in the future. 9.6 Legal The Government does not have the capacity to set sustainable Total Allowable Catches because of insufficient human and technical capacity. Commercial fishing is a regulated business and must be licensed to operate. In addition, the company must have an export license before it can enter the international market. Present Strategy The present strategy of the company has worked well over the years, but this research has found that this strategy does not have any long term viability for the company and thus would be not able to give AP Fishing Company the competitive advantage it needs for long term viability and profitability. Craft strategies and explain their appropriateness AP Fishing Company strategizes to target both the local and international markets with its focused differentiation strategy on quality snapper. Operational Strategy AP Fishing can improve its order taking process by use of bespoke software, internet ordering and an efficient switchboard system. This would reduce costs and bureaucracy. Marketing Strategy Because of its international presence, web marketing is imperative. Internet marketing goes beyond geographical boundaries and can be personalized and interactive. Export market is a major part of the business, and where more of AP Fishing Company revenue is generated. The World Wide Web: AP Fishing Company should launch an interactive website to target the export market, where potential customers can ask various questions and feed back given. Customers can place new orders online and can even track the current status of their orders. Other options include Brochure: AP Fishing Company has advertised in the country tourism brochure, this is to target mostly visitors and the international market so they know what kind of product the company offers. Newspaper advertising when feasible: this is appropriate for the local market: both wholesalers and retailers. Sales Strategy The objective of proposed sales strategy is simply to sell quality and well packaged snapper fish to wholesalers at affordable prices, and to maximize the free trade agreement in Caricom market. . To help realize our goal, we will implement the following: The customer is the king. We make sure we connect professionally and personally both with our local and international customers to ensure their wants and needs are satisfied. Ensure staffs are well trained and knowledgeable in the companys products. Discounts are offered to new wholesalers based on referrals system. Importance of implementation and execution of strategies According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010)implementation and execution of strategies are primary operational-driven activity revolving around the management of people and business purposes. Strategy implementation is the process of translation of strategies and policies into action through the development of programs, budgets and procedures. It is typically conducted by the middle and lower level management but is reviewed by the top management. Unless the corporation is appropriately organized, programs are adequately staffed and activities are properly directed, these operational plans fail to deliver the goods. To be effective, a strategy must be implemented through the right organizational structure and appropriate management practices. In addition, management must also ensure that there is progress towards, objectives according to plan by instituting a rigorous process of control over important activities. It is critical that Executing strategy is done successfully so that the companys performance targets can be met. It is a job for the whole management team, and the process typically affects every part of the company. 11. Importance evaluation of strategies Strategy Evaluation is as significant as strategy formulation because it throws light on the efficiency and effectiveness of the comprehensive plans in achieving the desired results. The managers can also assess the appropriateness of the current strategy in todays dynamic world with socio-economic, political and technological innovations. Strategic Evaluation is the final phase of strategic management. The significance of strategy evaluation lies in its capacity to co-ordinate the task performed by managers, groups, departments etc, through control of performance. Strategic Evaluation is significant because of various factors such as developing inputs for new strategic planning, the urge for feedback, appraisal and reward, development of the strategic management process, judging the validity of strategic choice etc. 13. Conclusion In conclusion, it is appropriate to say that AP Fishing Company needs to revolutionize its present strategy to be able to enjoy competitive advantage in the fishing industry by utilising technology to gain more access to customers globally. The company needs to address its weaknesses urgently to avoid any major decline in profit. A P Fishing Co. is undoubtedly equipped with human resources in its core competencies; however, other peripheral aspects of management such as accounting, marketing and even recruitment can be outsourced to specialist entities. It is already established that one of the weaknesses of A P Fishing is its inability to manage other functions of the company. Outsourcing will benefit the company in many ways such as decreased overheads and fixed costs (salary costs), access to specialized services, increased focus on core competence. In addition, A P Fishing should consider the option of diversifying into other categories of seafood such as prawns and shark. If and when snapper becomes an exhausted resource due to bad sustainable development strategies, A P Fishing should be able to maintain its customers and current market by offering suitable alternatives to its customers. Focused diversification is necessary for continued survival if a cost leadership strategy is unfeasible.

Elizabeth Gaskell and Industrialization Essay

Two of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels—North and South and Mary Barton—provide a critical insight into the author’s attempt at probing the issues surrounding industrialization in Victorian England. Apart from the fact that both novels feature female characters as protagonists, they also highlight the classic struggle between rich and poor classes in the face of an emerging industrial society. Without losing track of the flow of the stories’ plots, Gaskell is able to incorporate the vital aspects of industrialization. In North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell writes about the struggles of the urban working class in industrial England, specifically in its northern regions, during the 19th century in contrast to the lifestyles of those who live in the wealthier south. Because the story is shown from the perspective of the heroine, Margaret Hale, Gaskell is able to display the other side of the stereotypes attributed to women during the 19th century. For the most part, women at that time were barely able to face their personal circumstances and address them on their own. Margaret Hale, however, defies the notion that women largely depend on men just to live. She initially resists that belief by rejecting romantic proposals—a move that shows how she is in control of her life—and displays it at its highest when she throws her arms around John Thornton in an effort to protect him from the angry mob. The latter indicates that it is not always women who seek the protection of men because women can also protect men even at the expense of such women. As Patsy Stoneman indicates in her book Elizabeth Gaskell, â€Å"[Margaret Hale] confronts the fact that men of all classes are governed, in the public sphere, by a masculine code,† a code that effectively prevents the characteristic of tenderness attributed to females (Stoneman, p. 86). Margaret’s willingness to protect Thornton does not only imbibe the thought that women are tender and should not be harmed. It also presents the idea that women—especially those who are considered outsiders to industrial areas such as Milton—can also learn to sympathize with the people who are working under poverty. The incident in the story where the workers were in a strike against Thornton, the local mill owner, also underlines the idea that an outsider can relate to the woes and conditions of the workers more than those who are directly involved in the industrial system. Another interesting aspect of Gaskell’s thematic exploration of industrialization in North and South is how she was able to reunite, in a manner of speaking, the classes considered as polar opposites. As Dorice Williams Elliott observes in her article: â€Å"the novel bases its case for women’s mediation between classes on an analogy between marriage and class cooperation† (Elliott, p. 25). The presence of the outsider, Margaret, in the industrial town makes it possible for the marriage between the classes to commence. Margaret became no less than a person who paved the way for the better understanding between the rich and poor divide although her presence alone did not entirely dissolve the prevalent disparity. Elliott’s observation that Margaret’s mediation led to class cooperation simply reaffirms the idea that ‘class cooperation† in itself still presumes differences between social classes. In Mary Barton, the disparities between the rich and the poor classes take the shape of the story of a father who seeks to protect his daughter from becoming a fallen woman. Like Margaret Hale in North and South, the story revolves around the life and struggles of Mary Barton in Victorian England. John Barton, Mary’s father, is a millworker who lost most of the members of his family except Mary. One interesting part of the story is when John shot Henry Carson, the son of a rich mill owner. Being someone who deeply questions the wealth disparities between rich and poor—largely because he was â€Å"chairman at many a Trade’s Union meeting; a friend of delegates,† someone who was â€Å"ambitious of being a delegate himself† and a â€Å"Chartist† who was â€Å"ready to do anything for his order† (Gaskell, p. 25)—John’s murder of Henry symbolizes how the members of the poor class sometimes grow desperate. The story is ingenious in the sense that it perfectly subsumes the issues surrounding industrialization in Victorian England into the tale of a woman’s quest for love. Mary Barton is a classic example of how Gaskell effectively writes about the problems caused by industrialization in Victorian England without losing sight of the story’s plot. Despite the debates as to whether Gaskell’s novels genuinely reflect the true nature of the Victorian English society during the onset of the industrial period, it should be reminded that what her novels do is to give a fictional account of the problems people face when dealing with people from another social class. Susan Morgan writes that â€Å"the criterion of likelihood is an inappropriate approach to Gaskell’s work† (Morgan, p. 44). For example, â€Å"it may have well been unlikely in Manchester for relations between worker and employer to find solutions through individual friendships† (Morgan, p. 44). Whatever reasons there may be as to why Gaskell wrote as she did, it is enough to note that North and South and Mary Barton capture the struggles of fictional characters in the face of industrialization. The novels may be fiction at best, yet the circumstance they suggests—the epic divide between rich and poor—remains as real today as it once was. Works Cited Elliott, Dorice Williams. â€Å"The Female Visitor and the Marriage of Classes in Gaskell’s North and South. † Nineteenth-Century Literature 49. 1 (1994): 21-49. Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn. Mary Barton. Ed. Shirley Foster. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Morgan, Susan. â€Å"Gaskell’s Heroines and the Power of Time. † Pacific Coast Philology 18. 1/2 (1983): 43-51. Stoneman, Patsy. Elizabeth Gaskell. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987.

Cyber Bullying Bullying And Bullying - 899 Words

Teenagers and Cyber Bullying Stop Cyber Bullying for Good While teenagers are widely affected by bullying in person, the internet has widened the playing field. Cyber Bullying (and bullying in general) is done with the primary purpose of inflicting emotional distress on the victim. Much more of the cruel incidents will occur if the issue is not fixed. The thought of others not knowing who is doing the bullying could be the reason why teens find it more appealing to cyber bully. More and more teenagers are committing cyber bullying which shows a need for stiffer consequences for their actions. Teens are aware of the effects bullying causes and its consequences to others. As Jeff Chu stated in his article â€Å"You Wanna Take this Online?† â€Å"Technology has transformed the lives of teens, including the way they pick on one another.† Durant 2 A far more wide-ranging agenda should be to present teens with a responsibility act for them to follow. 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Digital Blackface The Effects of Social Media and Cultural Appropriation - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 1988 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/04/10 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Social Media Essay Did you like this example? Our skin. Our expression. Who knew that even the one distinct characteristic that separates us from the world, would now be the mask that some would die for? Who knew that our tone went from least desirable, to an essential for the best selfie? imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Digital Blackface: The Effects of Social Media and Cultural Appropriation" essay for you Create order (Rasool). According to Marketing Land, Whats different is that todays social media influencers are often much edgier than the celebrities of yore. There semi-autonomous social media stars often do daring things, (Lee). Todays influencers do not consider the consequences that could transpire from the content or the image that they are displaying for millions to view: Some being African Americans. Our skin is what allows us, Black People, to stand out and to be individuals. However, the world wants to look like us, rather than be us. It is already problematic being of color in society, let alone being yourself to accommodate others. But when a person of a different race, whether they are influencers or everyday people, portrays to be Black to fit the image, consumers gravitate towards them. They earn all the attention, further taking away from the real issues. Instead society is pondering on whether a person is Black or not, or if they are intentionally trying to be racist. With many c oncerns circulating whether people not of color should be able to market on social media if they are portraying to be Black, many people of color are striving to take back the authenticity of their culture and tones to eliminate modernized Blackface. Realizing your impact on social media and what you upload should not be taken lightly when it comes to how you uphold your image. No one wants to be labeled unauthentic or racist. Blackface originally surfaced during treacherous times for Black People. Blackface goes way back and is still thriving on to this day unfortunately. An actor named T.D Rice made his debut on stage in New York in 1828 (Barnes). This routine would transform the world and the image of Black People. According to U.S History Scene, In 1855, a theater columnist for the New York Tribune would recall that cataclysmic performance as an unparalleled moment in American entertainment as never was there such an excitement in the musical or dramatic world; nothing was talked of, nothing written of, nothing dreamed of, but Jim Crow.. At the time, people were excited to see this form of art, as they were excited to see a White man portray to be a Black person in a comedic way. As stated, never was there such excitement, this further ensues that people encouraged the exaggerated mess. This exposed how America felt about Black People, that they would rather dress up in demeaning costumes and put on a show. They would rather look like us for than to be us, because at the time no one wanted to be Black, not even Black People. In order to play the role, actors burned bottle corks mixed with grease paint or shoe polish to achieve a black shine when applied to their faces ¦To conceal any hint of whiteness, actors wore wooly three-cone pointed wigs and black gloves. These costume decisions physically hid their white skin while radically exaggerating African American appearances in a caricatured way that crowds in New York City found hilarious. (Barnes). Why did they go to extreme measures to fit this image, just to make fun of it? Imagine going through what is known as the worst times for Black People, and to face the mockery. They marketed off our image which later resulted in this brutal era. Although Blackface back then was completely different due to the time period, there are still similarities. The practice created the stereotypes that people are so fascinated with and would rather pretend then to face it. Black People are still targeted, just not as out there because society is starting to take notice whether its social media influencers or everyday people trying to portray that image. Blair John stated Every culture seeks to prolong itself in time with recognizable continuity because otherwise its reality might cease to exist and with it the efficacy of its explanations and consolations, ultimately the life of the ethos itself. Ethnocentricity is universal precisely because it reflects each cultures interest in maintaining its credibility. He is saying that cultures thrive to maintain its balance with its credibility, and others should recognize and respect that. However, when another person of another culture tries to fit in to this balance, it could completely thr ow it off. Social media influencers try to get away with dipping into other cultures to better promote their image. There are multiple instances of Digital Blackface, the practice of non black people claims of black identity through social media sites and technology (Lewis), in social media today. According to Lewis, it involves using a fictional Blackface to promote stereotypes and images that are desired by non black individuals. There are many reported instances of Blackface in the media from social media post, to themed parties. One instance of Digital Blackface that stood out happened a couple months back in October. According to Fox News, a nurse by the name of Shelbi Heenan, wore Blackface to a Halloween event, and then later posted the pictures to social media. In the image, you can see what it appears to be her, and another person dressed up as Beyonc? © and Jay Z. Although it was just a costume, it is what Heenan did to further ensue that she was dressed as the iconic a rtist. She used Blackface to top off the cake. This was probably just a fun idea that costed her job. After the post, she was later fired from the hospital she worked at for years. One post changed her life: Although she got her perfect selfie. The hospital later came out with a statement explaining the situation and the consequences for her actions. This information was shared with appropriate health system personnel and an investigation was initiated immediately. While it is against Saint Lukes policy to comment on specific personnel matters, we can confirm that this individual is no longer a Saint Lukes employee. (LaFlore). She wanted to fit the image, but due to her ignorance, she now has the wrong label. She still has that reputation of being a nurse to uphold, and she should have taken into consideration what the consequences shall be. A similar incident involving digital Blackface occurred in Prairie View, Texas. According to ABC13, a soccer player posted a picture on a renown app called Snapchat, that allows you to post 10 second clips to your feed. However, the image the player posted resulted in the picture going viral to then causing backlash, which in this case is understandable. The player posed with black tape on her face with the caption, When you just tryna fit in at your HBCU. (Clemons). After the post, it exploded on the internet causing backfire as well. Her teammates wanted her kicked off the team however others defended her. There were comments saying that she is not a racist or that she didnt know better. According to ABC13, her own father came out with the statement She didnt mean to do that. Its been blown out of proportion,. He stated Shes not racist. Were not racist. Were Mexican. Its a bad thing and its been blown way out of proportion. Shes not like that. Playing the race card is not a valid e xcuse for mocking the Black race just to fit in. This is seen with a lot of social media influencers when they are too deep. He also had the audacity to say that this was blown out of proportion. His daughter posted a Blackface picture to social media, and she attends an HBCU. Although she is not considered a social media influencer, she shouldve realized her audience and how they will consume this. She is a student athlete and has no idea who is watching. Posting a picture for laughs and giggles resulted in her creating that image for herself. Some may say that she struggles with self-identity at her HBCU and was just trying to fit in. You do not need to market off a race to boost your popularity. You boost your popularity by being genuine, not by sticking pieces of tape on your face. This tells a lot about society and how the Digital Blackface has been used to encourage stereotypes. Cultural appropriation and social media influencers have been the perfect combination lately. The definition of cultural appropriation, according to Social Theory Practice, the definition of appropriation originates in its inversion, cultural autonomy. Cultural autonomy signifies a right to cultural specificity, a right to ones origins and histories as told from within the culture and not as mediated from without. Some influencers feel as though that this does not apply to them simply based off their looks. If you are pretty, can you get away with major things? Some believe in pretty privilege, or attractiveness bias. Physical appearance comparisons are common. As objectification theory posits, these comparisons are often driven by pressure from peers and media to adhere to societal beauty ideals (Fox). We grant attractive people with many other assets just because they are pleasing to the eye unintentionally. In this situation, it does not allow for you to portray to be something youre not in order to fit standards. According to Teen Vogue, several black women on Twitter publicly accused a number of white female influencers of blackfishing: some using dark facial makeup, some wearing their hair in cornrows and other traditionally black hairstyles, and others allegedly enhancing their bodies, seemingly to look like black women. Recently, an influencer has been outed due to her actual race and what she is pretending to be. Emma Hallberg, a Swedish woman, was presumed to be a light skinned Black woman, however she is white. There are videos of her using makeup that are far too dark for her complexion, but she uses the makeup and the excuse of her skin tanning fast as a scapegoat for all the backlash (Rasool). What does this say about society? It says that other races are not comfortable in their own skin and must alter their image. Consumers also take this into consideration whether its the audience or brands. The audience sees this made up person and feel as though that she is beautiful. Brands see it as dealing with a Black person but to a certain extent. They get the image, not the authenticity. She came out and said My goal and intention is to look like myself and to share my makeup looks and outfits. My intentions have never been to look like a black woman. This relates to minstrel shows that were used as entertainment instead of having a Black person. (Rasool). This comes to show that she is denying the fact that she darkens her skin and poses to be a Black woman for the world to consume. She knows that being Black is in and attempted to market off it until she was exposed. My culture is not your costume. Digital Blackface and cultural appropriation both plays a significant role in society whereas individuals portray to be something they are not. They wear our culture as if its a favorite outfit. Or in some cases, people are blatantly ignorant and would just do actual Blackface. This needs to be stopped for our culture to remain authentic. Many people of color are wanting us to take back the authenticity of their culture and tones to eliminate modernized Blackface. With this you see two cultures colliding because one trying to imitate the other culture. People should take the history into consideration, before they try to make a mockery or to market. Digital Blackface could lead to stereotypes prolonging and changing perspectives even more.