The Dress Dispute!

I know you ALL know what exactly what dress I am talking about, yes, THAT dress! #TheDress that polarised the entire Internet into two teams, and for those that don’t know, I’ve put a picture underneath - taken from Daily Mail Online - just so you can test your eyes!

(Daily Mail Online, 2015)

This dress recently caused a divide between those who see it as white and gold (myself included) or those seeing it as black and blue. With arguments breaking out all over Twitter because millions of viewers simply could not agree on the real colour of the dress! So my question; how do we resolve this?

Many people took to Twitter (even celebrities got in on it!) to portray the competing/forcing way of conflict resolution, which means being extremely assertive and un co-operative and trying to get their way, by tweeting things such as:

Now it's not that I dislike Taylor Swift - however I do dislike her dancing at every award show - but her sense of negative language, sarcasm and capital letters shows off an aggressive tone and a demanding, un co-operative manner.

Others chose the more open approach of collaborating- where the problem gets solved together, people become more co-operative:

Kim has a much more relaxed attitude, asking all of her fans what they think, therefore showing off a collaborative approach.

Resolving conflict can be a tricky thing, however this argument just cannot seem to be negotiated- it is up to your eyes which colour you see, it’s all based around science and the light hitting your retina, therefore there is no right or wrong answer. However, no one is ever going to agree unless you are on the same team of colours. What about you? Are you #TeamGoldandWhite or #TeamBlackandBlue?

The only consensus that was made was that Twitter brought everyone together in a joint debate over a simple dress.

Do you have any advice on resolving conflicts of any kind? Are you more Truculent Taylor or Calm (or should I say Kalm) Kimmy? 

Liv x

2015: The Rise of Racism?

Just six days ago- on the 17^th February 2015 on the Paris Metro; the public saw barbaric Chelsea fans hurl abuse at a black man, while not allowing the man to board the train. The video below shows footage (taken from The Guardian Online) of the man trying to board the train at Richelieu-Drouot station, only to be denied by the Chelsea supporters numerous times while chanting ‘We’re racist and that’s the way we like it!’ (Sorry, WHAT?)

According to Edelman, racial conflict - also known as racial harassment - can be described as ‘any hostile or offensive act or expression by a person of one racial or ethnic group against another; or incitement to commit such an act.’ 

I understand that football fanatics have a tendency to go over the top, get slightly violent and boisterous, but please, it’s 2015!! Racism is not, never has been, and never will be ok. This behaviour in my opinion is absolutely sickening and I’m extremely glad that three of the men have been identified.

This has caused utter – and rightly so – uproar on twitter, with posts being sent around to find all of the men involved (see picture below) as well as the hash tag #ChelseaRacists being created. However some people don’t have the same views, and explain that it isn’t footballs problem, it’s societies.

The conflict resolution of this social media storm is that the situation has been policed by the public and instead of being handled by a legal process (which it will do eventually), the public took it into their own hands and dealt with it in a way they felt was necessary.

The outcome via Twitter is that three men - to date - have been identified using retweets and the hashtag. Even though everyone gave his or her individual opinions, an overall consensus was reached that this behaviour is not and will not be accepted in today's society and these men must be punished. Looking through the Twitter feed it can also be concluded that people are questioning how well educated these men must be, who clearly do not know what is right or wrong.

In no way shape or form is racial conflict ok. It has been explained that IF (and only IF) the men are brought to trial in France they could face a hefty fine of £33,000 and a three-year prison sentence.  

What do you think? Is being banned from the club enough? What action would you like to see being taken?

Liv x

Time is ticking on death row!

Now I'm not a lawyer, in fact I don't know a lot about law and the justice system at all, however I do have strong beliefs and values. Death penalty is something I'm so interested in and I am also using this for one of my other university assignments. I'm sure everyone is fully aware of death row and what that entails, but just a bit of background information for those that don’t. Death row is a prison block or section of a prison that houses prisoners awaiting execution.  

Lindsay Sandiford, 57, from Cheltenham, was arrested in May 2012 when she arrived in Bali from Thailand, smuggling in cocaine worth an estimated £1.6m. Sandiford is currently in the squalid Kerobokan prison, Bali, Indonesia. 

Lindsay appealed to UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who is due to visit Indonesia this month. The foreign office have offered their support however, this isn't the only time she's tried to reach out, last year the UK’s top court dismissed the appeal. A spokesman in the British embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta explains they are now closely following Sandiford’s case and are ready to provide support, if it is requested.

In this instance, Lindsay is using bargaining and negotiation strategies in order to try and challenge her case. She has prepared the message she wants to get across, she is aware of the ground rules e.g. where the negotiation will take place, as well as explained and clarified her point and is currently awaiting the last processes of problem solving and closure in order to challenge her execution. 

I understand that she must pay for what she has done, however what I don’t understand is how her case can be over looked, especially from the UK where we are strongly against the death penalty. This to me is bizarre, and I know that you might all think that I’m taking nonsense because I believe her case should be appealed. So let me tell you about another case.

Jermaine Wright, 42 was arrested in 1992 for killing a store clerk at liquor store Hi-Way Inn, in Wilmington, Delaware, USA in 1991. However it has now been found that Wright was high on heroin during the confession, meaning Jermaine was released from a Smyrna Prison after Supreme Court.

(Photo from Delaware Online)

That sounds pretty straightforward right? So why isn’t it for Lindsay? My interpretation of this is that some negotiation can be made that means she can be given her chance at freedom too. If the U.S can support Jermaine by reviewing his tapes, why can’t the U.K support Lindsay? Everyone deserves a chance, right?

She is pleading for help and support from the U.K.

So now what?

Liv x

My New Favourite!

Sorry to all of you beautiful readers, I've been a bit slow on this blogging recently. I've just come back to University and yes, as you all know, I am now in my third year! So that means work work and just more work. I'm keen to be using my blog to update you throughout the final year of university so I can share with you some of the assignments I've been asked to create, and also share with you some feedback I've got/been excited about!


So to kick off the first blog post of 2015. I think it's time to introduce you to my favourite PR stunt of this year so far (and probably will be until 2016).

Now we all love a good ol' celebrity endorsement. So if you combine one of the most leading fashion designers in the world with an a-list celeb, what do you get?.... Justin Bieber in his CK briefs of course. We all know Justin had a tough 2014 *cough* arrested, drink driving, fighting and being caught with marijuana in his system *cough* to name a few. So really he had to do something big to save his PR image. So modelling in his underwear for Calvin Klein couldn't have been a better way to do it apparently. You might not be a fan of Justin Bieber's work, but i'm sure you will be by the end of this. The previous Calvin Klein underwear shoots have included people such as Mark Wahlberg, who can be seen in the picture below.

But Mark hasn't really got much on this has he...

The pictures got leaked across the world after Justin shared the first sneak peak of the new campaign on his Instagram with the saucy pictures of himself and Lara Stone. This could have been the best decision Bieber has ever made, creating 1.6 million mentions on social media in just 48 hours after the images were released! Since the unveil on his Instagram, he also amassed CK a whopping 3.6 million followers.

Even though he received a lot of stick for these images being 'extremely photoshopped' he is quick to hit back at internet trolls by posting a picture of him showing off his tattooed muscular torso with the caption 'Photoshopped lol'. He also claims he works out five days a week and for people to lay off, he's just a 20 year old boy. Well don't worry Biebs, we love it!!


How about your views?

Liv x

ASOS- Apologies Seen On Screen!

I think it’s safe to say we all know whom ASOS are- but for those who don’t, it’s only one of the largest online fashion retailers there is. So to make a mistake on social media, as large as calling someone a man, is just social suicide.

We all know that Jodie Marsh has been in training and has competed in many body building competitions, showing off her muscular, trim and toned body to all of the world to prove she can do something if she puts her mind to it. Well ASOS clearly didn’t agree with her decision.

After a man tweeted in to ASOS asking if they could use more manly models to portray clothes on those who are fitness fanatics, they quickly responded with a hurtful comment regarding Jodie Marsh.

The glamour model/ body builder is extremely well known for her anti-bullying campaigns so of course when she became the victim, Jodie went on an absolute twitter rampage when she saw this comment from ASOS. Not only Jodie, but also pretty much everyone on twitter had something to say about this. Including myself who indeed tweeted! 

ASOS returned to Jodie’s tweet by stating they were truly sorry and agreed they should never have tweeted it as well as posting a letter they had written to her.

However that did not win over her fans and the rest of twitter who continued to tweet ASOS explaining they were bullies.

All I can say is, what an absolute PR disaster! ASOS were fully in the wrong in this situation, however dealt with it well by taking responsibility for their actions and apologising, but that just isn't going to cut it. To mock a CELEBRITY over social media? You have to be kidding right? I’d love to know who is in charge of the social media for ASOS, I bet they’re in trouble!

Sorry ASOS, you’ve just taken a hit to your reputation.

Jodie- 1

ASOS- 0 

Liv x