Pop Culture

To start on this journey of discovery and learning about youth and popular culture I read four articles this week : American popular music from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerincan_popular_music); Youth and Pop Music: How it all Began-A Cultural Revolution (http://www.gpwu.ac.jp/~biddle/youth.htm); Arab youth revel in pop revolution by Sebastian Usher (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6666725.stm); and Clouding the Issues by Gerald Graff, AB’59 (http:///magazine.uchicago.edu/0304/features/clouding.html.

After reading American popular music from Wikipedia.org, I find it hard to just listen to the music I often take for granted on the radio as I drive home. I have always viewed music as nothing more than an enjoyable experience; a way to relax or forget about the trials and tribulations of my day. Now as I listen to my favorite music, I find myself listening with a more critical ear; listening for the possible polyrhythm’s often found in jazz or the familiar upbeat tempo that identifies the rhythm and blues. Before reading this article I had never consciously thought of how music comes to be or how music has morphed over time to create the now number one hit on the radio. I am absolutely fascinated by the fact that American popular music can be traced back to the blackface minstrel shows. However, what I find even more astonishing and promising is the fact that music has somehow overcome hegemonic forces.

It is no secret that there are dominating forces within our culture that help to maintain and perpetuate classism and racism. Yet, the history of American popular music illustrates how music has been used to validate a small part of an oppressed culture. For example, even though American popular music has its roots in the blackface minstrel shows, born from racism, this same, then popular form of entertainment began “to humanize the blacks� (“American popular music,� 2008, para #4). Not only did it “begin� to humanize blacks it “marked the beginning of a long tradition of African American music being appropriated� and accepted by the American public (“American popular music,� para # 4). As we jump forward in time the Jewish community added to the African American notes their traditional music components to help form the jazz of the Broadway era. As you read and study you can find evidence of more and more cultures being represented within American popular music; cultures that were often victims of racism and classism. As the music of each era becomes more and more popular, it is no longer viewed as a type of music from a lower class of people, a music form to be looked down upon, but instead “become[s] a sophisticated art� (“American popular music,� para #19). This phenomenon leaves me wondering if there is any correlation to the evolution of language in written and spoken form. I find it interesting that through time it becomes acceptable to embrace a certain genre of music, but it appears that there is still only one very distinct “power code� acceptable when it comes to spoken or written language.

Don’t get me wrong I do recognize the very existing presence of racism and classism today, music has not overcome this plague that infests our culture. It just struck me as I read this article how hegemonic powers were intentionally rejected with each new musical epoch. What is it about music that makes it acceptable to challenge and address the status quo in such a blatant fashion? Is it an outlet for our youth to find their own identities, separate from their parents, as was addressed in the articles Youth and Pop Music: How it all began and Arab Youth Revel in Pop Revolution? If it is, why is it more acceptable adopting different music genres than spoken or written languages? If a person speaks with a certain slang or accent they are sometimes viewed as less intelligent. For example, think of someone with a southern accent, there are many people who would view that person as “slow�. In the article by Usher he states that music reflects the lives of the youth (pg 1). Is American popular music reflecting a trend in classism and racism within our country?