The Washington Redskins franchise remains one of the most valuable in professional sports, in part because of its easily recognizable, popular, and profitable brand.And yet "redskins" is a derogatory ...name for American Indians.The number of grassroots campaigns to change the name has risen in recent years despite the current team owner's assertion that the team willneverdo so. Franchise owners counter criticism by arguing that the team name is positive and a term of respect and honor that many American Indians embrace. The NFL, for its part, actively defends the name and supports it in court.Prominent journalists, politicians, and former players have publicly spoken out against the use of "Redskins" as the name of the team. Sportscaster Bob Costas denounced the name as a racial slur during a halftime show in 2013. U.S. Representative Betty McCollum marched outside the stadium with other protesters--among them former Minnesota Vikings player Joey Browner--urging that the name be changed.Redskins: Insult and Brandexamines how the ongoing struggle over the team name raises important questions about how white Americans perceive American Indians, about the cultural power of consumer brands, and about continuing obstacles to inclusion and equality. C. Richard King examines the history of the team's name, the evolution of the term "redskin," and the various ways in which people both support and oppose its use today. King's hard-hitting approach to the team's logo and mascot exposes the disturbing history of a moniker's association with the NFL-a multibillion-dollar entity that accepts public funds-as well as popular attitudes toward Native Americans today.
In order to understand the role of borders in tourism, research needs to examine how tourists perceive a border; if tourists perceive the same types of risk as they do when they travel to other ...tourist destinations. The purpose of this study is to identify salient dimensions of perceived risk and relationships among antecedent variables such as past travel experiences, culture, destination familiarity, perceptions of travel risk in the context of the U.S.-Mexico border and tourists’ attitudes and intentions to visit destinations along the U.S. – Mexico border. Data was collected from Texas residents age 18 and above through an online panel survey. A total of 488 responses were gathered. Several statistical analyses were utilized for hypothesis testing: Factor analysis, an Independent T-test, a Paired Sample T-test, ANOVA and SEM. In the current study, five dimensions of risk perception were identified; ‘Personal Safety’, ‘Conveniences’, ‘Border Patrol Concerns’, ‘Border Patrol Importance’, and ‘Communication Concern’. The major results are as follows: 1) Asians perceived a higher risk of ‘Border Patrol Concerns’ when considering not crossing the border into Mexico and Caucasians perceived a higher risk of ‘Communication Concern’ when considering crossing the border. 2) Respondents with no Spanish speaking skill perceived higher levels of risk of ‘Personal Safety’ and ‘Conveniences’ when considering not crossing the border into Mexico while respondents with Spanish speaking skill perceived higher levels of risk of ‘Personal Safety’, ‘Conveniences’, ‘Border Patrol Concerns’, and ‘Communication Concern’ when considering crossing the border into Mexico. 3) Respondents perceived higher risk when considering travel to a rural region than an urban region. 4) Media exposure and familiarity with a destination were found to be a significant predictor influencing perceived risk in both cases. 5) A negative relationship between perceived risk and attitude and a positive relationship between attitude and intention have been identified in both cases. Based on the results, several suggestions are made. First, positively worded information should be provided for tourists to help them understand border procedures as well as information regarding tourist facilities in the border region. Second, providing information in different languages especially in English would be helpful to reduce the levels of communication risk for potential tourists. Third, tourism practitioners should monitor information being dispersed through the influential sources related to a destination for their unique target markets. If misinformation is found, it should be corrected properly before potential tourists perceive it as reality. Lastly, it will be important to share positive travel experiences by tourists who traveled to the border region through social media to reduce unnecessary perceived risk or fear for potential tourists who consider traveling to border regions.
This professional project addresses the current state of the Outdoor Recreation program at the University of Arizona’s Campus Recreation. Best practices were found through a qualitative case study of ...three unique outdoor programs in the New England. Each case-study school was surveyed to ascertain the best practices. Findings revealed common themes and practices in such areas as core curriculum, cohort building, professional certifications and practical application of outdoor skills. Findings were then applied to the Outdoor Recreation program at the University of Arizona with suggested adaptions based on the current structure of the program.
The goal of this study was to (1) identify the best combination of message and medium for different audiences in response to a tourism crisis, and (2) understand how individuals process risk and ...crisis communication messages. The conceptual background of this study was built upon the Extended Parallel Process Model and the Situational Crisis Communication Theory. Three studies were conducted. The goal of the first study was to identify the best message for a tourism crisis response. Specifically, Study 1 examined current cruise line’s response, developed a theory-based response, and compared the theory-based response with current cruise line’s crisis responses. The results showed that the tourism crisis response affected respondents’ perception in relation to the cruise line rather than cruise travel in general. The results also indicated that the theory-based response led to stronger safety perceptions, stronger intentions to engage in risk reduction behaviors, and stronger purchase intentions. The findings of Study 1 resulted in the development of the Strategic Tourism Crisis Response (STCR), which is tailored to the current context and is applicable to responding tourism crisis. Study 2 compared the STCR and the industry’s response regarding the four communication outcomes within a multimedia environment. The findings of Study 2 showed that the STCR led to stronger safety perceptions and a more favorite attitude toward the involved cruise. While medium affected respondents’ intentions to participate in the recommended risk reduction behavior, and moderated the relationship between the STCR and respondents’ purchase intentions. Study 3 examined the influence of individual characteristics during the risk and crisis communication process. Specifically, Study 3 addressed three types of individual characteristics, which related to the target market segment, general cruise experience, and cruise experience with the involved cruise line. The results of Study 3 showed that both demographic characteristics and cruise experience moderated the relationship between the STCR and respondents’ purchase intentions during crisis times. Regarding the risk and crisis message consumption process, the results of Study 1 and 2 showed that perceived timeliness, perceived controllability, perceived credibility, and response-efficacy mediated the relationship between the STCR and different communication outcomes. The results also highlighted the important role of perceived safety as an intervening variable during the risk and crisis message consumption process. Based on the findings, practical and theoretical implications were discussed. Managerial recommendations were also provided.
Collegiate undergradatues are prone to high levels of deviant behavior during their leisure time. This population, known as emerging adults, have ample free time compared to other developmental ...groups and often spend this time in leisure pursuits deemed inappropriate or "deviant" by some elements of society. The present study utilized Self-Discrepancy Theory to determine if this framework was predictive of college students' deviant leisure participation, a desire to make changes to the amount of time spent in deviant leisure, and the affective results of engaging in deviant leisure. This theory posits that perceived differences between one’s actual self-image and desired self-image, as well as differences between actual self-image and the expectations of others, will result in negative affect. In addition, the study assessed personal approval of deviant leisure, as well as perceptions of others’ approval of deviant leisure to determine if attitudes towards these behaviors predicted participation. Results indicated that Self-Discrepancy Theory did not predict participation in deviant leisure or a desire to alter deviant leisure behaviors. This theory did predict the resulting negative affect, but this finding was limited to discrepancies between actual self-image and desired self-image. Perceived discrepancies beween actual self-image and the expectations of others did not predict affect. However, personal attitudes towards deviant leisure, as well as the attitudes of close friends, were both highly predictive of participation in these behaviors. While Self-Discrepancy Theory was largely not predictive of the deviant leisure pursuits of collegiate undergraduates, the results indicated that these behaviors were a significant component of the behaviors of this population. While some of these behaviors are unhealthy, many contain no intrinsic harm to the individual, yet the attached stigma results in lowered enjoyment. Further research should examine the positive outcomes that accompany these behaviors in an attempt to further understand the motivations for engaging in deviant leisure.
The purpose of this dissertation was to explore character-based recreation programs as a potential factor in youth drug use. Specifically, the study sought to find evidence that the Boys Scouts of ...America (BSA) might help prepare youth to avoid drug use or delay drug use to later in life. Using Positive Youth Development and Community Capital Theory as frameworks, the study explored character-based youth recreation as a holistic tool for engaging and nurturing youth. Positive Youth Development suggests that youth are best raised in a comprehensive and healthy environment. Community Capital Theory suggests that each community contains valuable resources that can be utilized for the advancement of its residents. Using qualitative methodology, this study examined leaders affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America in Washington State. Participants were asked about their experiences with the BSA, if/how the BSA works to prevent youth drug use, and their personal experiences with drugs and alcohol. Twelve leaders were sampled and given semi-structured interviews which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the process of Thematic Analysis, a systematic approach to generating themes and patterns in the data. The data revealed a total of five themes and 16 sub-themes. The major themes were: program delivery, drugs and the Boys Scouts of America, current prevention techniques, future prevention techniques, and lack of technical skill. The data revealed that program features of the BSA such as the Boy Scout Oath and Law were highly meaningful to leaders. Participants also suggested that the strong social networks provided by the BSA were valuable to youth development. Participants reported very low drug use and alcohol use which suggests that the BSA could be a viable tool to the prevention of youth substance use.
The development of leadership skills with young people has existed throughout generations. Research would suggest that given the increased demands placed on today’s youth, young people assume ...leadership roles at a younger age. The studied organization has identified a decline in the leadership behaviors of children ages 6-12 enrolled in their program. Responding to the identified need of the organization, this research explored the perceptions and attitudes of parents and instructors who have enrolled their children in a martial arts program. The distribution of questionnaires and conducted focus groups sought to obtain data pertinent to triangulate the variance between how the organization perceives their program develops youth leadership, what parents perceive and identify they want from the school to develop leadership skills for their children, and how instructors perceive their program develops youth leadership. The results showed a variance between organizational perceptions and parent perceptions. Demographic variables of the enrolled families did not conclusively prove to influence perception. Majority of parents agree that karate effectively teaches leadership skills to children. Parents and instructors agree that the transition between ranks in the program needs improvement.
This study aims to illuminate the formative experiences of successful recreation professionals, exploring why they have been able to succeed as employees and organizational leaders in recreation. ...Recreation departments and organizations are growing throughout the world; this growth has led to the need for skilled and trained supervisors to manage the growing needs in recreation. Gaining a better understanding of successful professionals may provide insight to the steps emerging professionals can take to become successful. Understanding how individuals gained success in recreation is difficult due to the diversity in the profession and the limited research on the subject. At the time of this dissertation, little research has been published regarding success in recreation; because of this, the similar fields of education and hospitality/tourism were examined. Literature in these two fields suggests that relationship focused leadership, grit, and diversity in experience may promote success in recreation. This dissertation aims to address the gap in literature regarding success and leadership in recreation. A narrative inquiry with male and female participants from public and private sector recreation provides insight to the experiences of four successful individuals. Inquiry into the formative experiences of purposively selected individuals may provide emerging professionals with an deeper understanding of the experiences in and approaches to recreation that promote success. The experiences of and actions taken by individuals in this study provide a deeper understanding of the path taken to success in recreation. The results of this study suggest that substantial weight be placed on relationship focused leadership and diverse experiences in recreation. The results also suggest a discrepancy in gender roles between private and public sector recreation. Further research is suggested relating to gender roles in recreation. This study provides insight into individual experiences and cross-analyses the experiences of four individuals who have seen success in recreation. The results may provide a starting point for future research related to success and leadership in recreation.
The Tourism sector is a key driver for socio-economic growth in most rural communities in Africa. In Kenya, tourism as an industry is the second highest foreign exchange earner after agriculture and ...accounts for 10 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Homestay Tourism is a vital subsector of the Kenyan Tourism and has been promoted to diversify its products base, provide availability of beds or accommodation in rural areas, to empower the local communities economically, and enhance the quality of life of local hosts. However, little empirical evidence exists to ascertain motivations that sway homestay owners in rural areas of Kenya to host foreign visitors in their homes. The focus of the study aims to explore and describe primary motivational factors for homestay providers to offer such services, problems, and challenges encountered during service delivery within Shompole - Maasai Community of Kenya. This qualitative study used semi-structured and open-ended questionnaires for face to face interviews with 27 respondents in three out of five villages in Shompole Group Ranch. Findings of the study will assist the County and National governments, homestay providers, tourism planners and stakeholders in developing quality homestay products, marketing and ensure compliance with set guidelines for all players in the sector.
Student retention has been a buzzword in collegiate recreation in the past few years. Many researchers have found that collegiate recreation participation has a correlation to student retention and ...cumulative grade point average (Kampf & Teske 2013; Forrester, 2015). Even with legal efforts Americans with Disabilities Act (2011) made to improve the rights of persons with disabilities there is not much literature surrounding this population. The purpose of this study was to explore a potential correlation between adaptive recreation participation and student retention and cumulative GPA. The ANOVA, F (2,399) = 1.406, p = .246, indicated there was no significant difference in cumulative GPA’s across the three groups. Likewise the odds ratio results indicate that participating in the adaptive recreation group does not show statistical significance towards retention. While not statistically significant, the data does trend in favor of the adaptive recreation group, and illustrate a need for further research.
