Reading Popular Culture Matters for Understanding Society
Popular culture is everywhere, influencing everything from fashion, music, movies, television shows, and online media. It has become a major driver of the modern world, shaping people’s social norms, attitudes, beliefs, and values. As such, popular culture has a significant impact on society that is often overlooked. In this article, we will explore why reading popular culture matters for understanding society, and how it can offer valuable insights into the complexities of modern life.
Popular Culture as a Reflection of Society
Popular culture is a mirror that reflects the values, interests, and beliefs of society. It can reveal the changing attitudes toward social issues like race, gender, sexuality, religion, and politics. For instance, the rise of Black Lives Matter protests in the US sparked conversations about representation and diversity in media, leading to changes in TV shows and movies. Similarly, movies like Crazy Rich Asians and Black Panther broke new ground in terms of representation of Asian and Black actors on-screen, respectively. Thus, by analyzing popular culture, we can learn a lot about how society views different groups of people.
Popular Culture as a Source of Social Commentary
Popular culture is not just a reflection of society, but also a tool for social commentary. It can provide a platform for artists and creators to express their opinions on social issues. For example, the TV show Black-ish tackled controversial topics like police brutality, the use of the n-word, and gun control, while the movie Get Out examined racism in a horror-film setting. Thus, popular culture can be used to raise awareness about social problems and initiate conversations about them.
Popular Culture as a Site of Resistance
Popular culture can be a site of resistance for marginalized groups who have historically been excluded from mainstream media. It can provide a space for these groups to express their identities and cultures, and challenge dominant narratives of what is considered ‘normal’ or acceptable. For instance, shows like Pose and Sense8 feature queer and trans characters as the main protagonists, while the movie Moonlight portrayed the life of a Black gay man. Such representations can have a significant impact on people who rarely see themselves reflected in media, and can foster a sense of pride and identity.
Popular Culture as a Tool for Understanding Youth Culture
Young people are often accused of being disconnected from social issues and politics, but this is not entirely true. Young people consume a lot of popular culture, and it can be a window into their interests, values, and concerns. By understanding the popular culture preferences of young people, we can gain insight into their experiences and perspectives. For instance, the popularity of K-pop among Western youth has sparked conversations about cultural appropriation, globalization, and fandom culture.
Conclusion
Popular culture is not just entertainment, but a reflection, commentary, and platform for resistance. By reading popular culture, we can gain a deeper understanding of society and the complexities of the modern world. Popular culture can provide valuable insights into how society views different groups, highlight social issues, challenge dominant narratives, and offer a window into youth culture. By paying attention to popular culture, we can broaden our knowledge and become more empathetic and informed citizens.
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