Popular Culture is not the same in America as it is in other countries. Other countries have there own fads and trends that come and go. America's culture seems to be more prevalent in it's expansion and influence around the world. I learned that people of African descent in other cultures are unlike African Americans. African American history in America having been steeped in slavery and racism. The treatment and and steretype of African American women in America is something particular to American culture.
Celebrities are the current icons of popular culture. Their political views are deemed important, their presence can make or break a meeting, seminar, concert, wedding, convention, fund-raiser or even charity event. A certain celebrity addiction has arisen over the years. The news and media are focusing entire segments on celebrity lifestyle, who's dieting, who's breaking up, who's making up, the good the bad the ugly the media serves to feed this ever growing addiction. Celebrity views have become more important than that of potential political leaders. The youth is more concerned with what a celebrity is wearing rather than whether an important bill gets passed or even if their basic human rights are at stake.
I learned that many director's are backed by money hungry politicians. That many of the powers that be in Hollywood control more than what most viewers could ever imagine. That studios, producers and directors press their views and values upon the people throught their work without thought to subjectivity or the inflluence they may have on the american people. It is harder for independant influences to bring their art to the mainstream, especially if it does not agree with the precedent set in popular culture or if it brings the people's attention to the flaws of the industry or encourages people to think freely or subjectively. Rebellion isn't rebellion anymore; it is a look a fad true rebellion is smothered in the industry before getting a chance to even make a spark.
Other countries tend to look down on America and it's growing trends. Americans are thought to be lazy, fat, greedy, self-absorbed, eccentric, self-centered and down right dumb. Americans are known for that lack of awareness of the world around them, for using up the worlds' natural resources with no regard for others. Unfortunately facts back up this argument. In terms of popular culture the irony is seen because the same countries that may degrader American lifestyle or economy are often the same ones to mimic American popular music and fashion. Young Americans are not completely unaware of the negative influence imposed on them and that they impose on the world. America and American popular culture are in a certain transitional period, still under the control of these certain powers and influences but the youth is also fighting to find their own way popular culture aside. The lure and attraction of popular culture can be overwhelming at times, individuality should continued to be pursued in order to find one's own identity and maybe one day carve out a new more acceptable popular culture free of overwhelming superficial persuasions and full again of life, art and individuality.
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