Friday, March 13, 2009
Pre-Reading Blog #3
Popular culture is merely a fad. Ideas, trends, etc. come and go like the days go by. Popular culture is all around and anyone can see the culture of a society easily by what people are wearing, what people are talking about, and on and on.
When I was younger, I was very much into the popular culture of American society. I wanted to have the most current style of clothing, hair, etc. I listened to the most popular music, and not necessarily because I liked it, but because everyone else was doing it. I do think that young teens, such as myself at the time, are very susceptible to outside influences in every aspect, especially popular ideas and trends.
Now, I am still at a very young twenty years old, but I have developed my own identity. I seriously went through an identity crisis for a few months, where I changed things about myself in hopes of finding the real me, outside of the popular culture. Now, instead of having light brown (dyed) hair, I have black hair. Instead of having long, straight hair, I have a short, Joan Jett inspired haircut. My taste in music has changed. Everyone loves Lil' Wayne and I cannot stand him. If I was still young and immature I would be in the crowd along with everyone else, loving the new Lil' Wayne songs, even if I didn't really like them. Now, I found my love for country and alternative, things that are definitely not as popular among African-Americans (which I am).
I do still have a popular culture influence in my life, but the difference is that I made it individual and specific to myself. I watch Lifetime movies, Tru Tv crime shows, The Real World, and my all time favorite, Desperate Housewives. I do not watch music videos or BET, like I would be expected to. I have my own sense of style. I mix punk-rock with prep, heels with loose clothes. I am making myself an individual, but still keeping popular culture in tact, just keeping it in tact my way.
Popular culture has been around forever because many people cannot find their own identity and therefore, find something common to identify with. Stereotypes were probably born out of popular culture, which can be based upon assumptions, founded and unfounded.
Why does society play the role of sheep, herding together so they don't stand out, rather than creating their own popular culture?
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While I was reading through your material for the 1st draft workshop, I noticed that you wrote that you like alternative and country. I have no idea how that slipped by me the first time I read your blog. Anyhow, I figured I'd take this opportunity to plug a couple cool bands you might like if you don't already know about them (they're pretty small though).
ReplyDeleteThe first one is the Old 97's. They're kind of alt-country. The music definitely has an old school country feel, but the vocals are kind of sappy alternative.
Another one is Rowdy Kate. They're straight up country-swing. Really awesome stuff, with a great female singer, and they're from Sacto! They make the rounds at a few bars downtown (which may do you no good), and they usually play once every year at the downtown Concerts in the Park.
I'm pretty sure both of the bands have myspace pages if you decide you want to check them out.
Figured I'd post this here, rather than on the workshop boards.