Formal Topic Proposal

1. General Topic: discrimination in the music industry

2. Argument/ Thesis Statement: Discrimination in the music industry is a prominent problem and harms the
business of the industry and diminishes the morale of the community.

3. SubPoint #1: Types of Discrimination: Racism & Sexism (bands made up of only white people refusing to
hire poc, music fans not liking bands because of their race) (bands with only men refusing to hire women, music
fans not liking bands because of their gender)

4. SubPoint #2: Where discrimination is found and example (even in scenes of music that are supposedly
equal experience discrimination at shows and studios, record labels treating female artists as sex objects)

5. SubPoint #3: How and why some people are taking action against descrimination

6. Opposing Reasoning (two reasons why people believe the opposite of the argument chosen):

a. Not every music scene / Not every band is discriminatory

b. Record labels make artists sign contracts, meaning they can make any artist do whatever they want

7. What do you already know about this topic and why are you interested in researching it? I’ve seen and experienced
discrimination from my own local scene and people have had to been kicked out

8. Brainstorm and locate the contact information for three job shadow and/or interview possibilities

LOCAL BUSINESS CONTACT PERSON EMAIL/ PHONE NUMBER

a. Awendaw Green (venue) Eddie White (843) 452-1642
b. Cory’s Grilled Cheese (venue) Will Manigault
c. Skum Bucket (venue) John White

9. Brainstorm three products you could bring in to show the judges during your final presentation:
a. anti-discrimination posters from shows
b. pictures of shows and how much fun people can have with diverse crowds
c. physical merch items from local bands

10. Add another possible argument you are interested in if this one is not approved: Local artists, while not highlighted
in mainstream media, are creating a tight knit community that supports itself and supports the general public.

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Approved _____ Rejected ______ Teacher Comments: