Popular culture consists of beliefs, practices, and objects that are part of the everyday traditions of a culture or subculture. It is also a powerful political tool as it is able to produce and articulate feelings which can shape people’s thinking and form the public opinion of people from all over the world. As a result, the US uses it to influence the internal policy of the Middle East countries. America influences it by using “soft” instruments of power that is the American-style higher education, the mass media, and Hollywood. These tools present the American values as open, democratic, individualistic, free, and liberal that are considered to be attractive by the majority of people. Although some experts claim that American cultural influence …show more content…
According to QS Top University Rankings Worldwide, in the top 5, there are two American-style education Universities they are American University of Beirut and American University in Cairo. Moreover, they claim that the Internet is effective propaganda tool that makes American influence in the Middle East countries stronger. According to the internet world stats, there were 49,400,000 Facebook subscribers in the Middle East on Nov 15, 2015. It follows that Facebook is the most popular social network with 94% of the Middle East’s social media users. Besides, the influence of Hollywood is hard to overlook as it dominates the global movie market and the Middle East region is not an exception. Hollywood television shows broadcast across the Middle East are proving to be effective “agents of influence” in the ongoing battle over hearts and minds of ordinary people in the region. Talk-Diva Oprah Winfrey’s show is just as popular in Kuwait as it is in the California. Dramas like “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy” make people sit behind their television screens, just like in America. (Fraser) On the whole, all these tools create an attractive image of American culture and people in the Middle East continue to consume it helping to successfully spread American values and beliefs in the
Jennifer Newsom argues, successful business women are viewed as emotional, manipulative, and irrational. Her argument is substantiated by the laundry list of facts that are presented in the film Miss Representation. The film reveals the many circumstances that are a threat to women’s advancement in America. The film expressed the sorrow of our young teens; scared and teased for what they look like, and the sadness they have for being different from media ideals. Jennifer Newsom effectively convinces the audience of Miss Representation that the driving force for the suppression of women is due to media, myths, and objectification.
1) From personal knowledge, I am aware that throughout history culture has changed overtime and is still developing as we speak. Much like the fifth definition in the book, I believe that culture can be described as the tensions or adjustments between shared and unshared groups of people throughout time ( Martin,P. 89). For example, American culture has altered so much over the years, we went from a country that had laws that deliberately caused injustice and discrimination towards a selective groups of people ( slavery , Jim Crow laws, Women’s suffrage, and same- sex marriage) to a more progressive nation that is implementing acceptance that will impact the world for the better in the future to
When I was six years old, living in Ethiopia, my dad won an American green card visa lottery among 53,000 people. Although it was exciting news, family members were discouraged because my dad could not afford the visa processing and traveling expense. However, he found a sponsor in Seattle, which allowed him to settle in America. As soon as he found a good house and a stable job, he started the process for me and my family. Multiple errors and obstacles delayed our processing for five years.
Immigration the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country. Immigrants learn new cultures and adapt to different customs. Immigrants were looked upon differently ause of their appearance and their cultures. The Effect of Immigration on America throughout time and history, immigration has affected people in numerous ways. It has brought new cultures and traditions, and had even mixed both with the Native Americans, which ties into people being brought together and accepting others culture.
I did and still do to some degree have a problem with my identity. When I first moved to America the way I looked and acted around American people was perceived as strange, unacceptable and I was ridiculed. Where one comes from is what make him different or unique from other people. How I acted around people made people think about whether they wanted to befriend me. In this world, there are people who are helpful with anything that are needed and there are people who ignored or shunned me.
In life, there are few things as organic as jazz music. With its raw sound and scrappy roots, one cannot help but feel life head-on whilst witnessing players produce such a sound right before their eyes. Its origins and arch are a product of the United States’ national culture and identity. Jazz exists not only as a deeply rooted form of art but as a cultural marker, particularly during its commercial peak in the first half of the 20th century. Its impact transcends borders, and it is one of the most beloved musical genres worldwide.
On February 5th of 2008, President Obama said “change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time... we are the change that we seek.” Certainly, there were many changes that were made since the post-racial era. Many African-American athletes, authors, and musicians emerged, transforming the landscape of black culture in the United States. In addition, the late-twentieth century was a time of radical change in African-Americans’ political status.
Is the “good” side (television) really good? How is this messed up system doing any good for our country? Do we really think that all people from the Middle Eastern region are “bad?” In conclusion, The Surrender by Robert Griffith is a comical depiction of how U.S. television has changed the way that we view others.
African history in the United States is complex and deep-rooted. It is a history of oppression, struggle, and resilience, but also cultural contributions and progress. African Americans have shaped and continue to shape the United States' history. African American culture has strongly impacted the United States, with contributions ranging from art, literature, fashion, and music to philosophy, politics, and social movements.
Popular Culture's Influence on Political Issues 1908s: Popular culture's portrayal of political topics can have a considerable impact on public opinion and comprehension of these issues. It is vital to note, that popular culture is frequently a simplified representation of serious political issues. and the struggle against the Soviet Union while ignoring the conflict's various
Government had long ago understood the importance of pop culture, and the impact it has on its audience. It figured out that popular culture is a perfect way for reflection and manipulation. On one hand, it reflects values, traits and beliefs of the country, but on the other hand, it manipulates the myths of the same country. Action adventure films like Rambo and Air Force One, for example, reflect the myths of America as a special nation, but they also manipulate audience beliefs — such as stereotypes about different racial groups.(Nelson, A. Address to Center for Popular Culture Studies, BGSU). Country officials realize that through pop culture they can easily influence people’s emotions and use them to maximize profits.
Media has gravitated toward the center of our culture over the years. Mr. Neil Postman writes in his book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, about his observation of the various forms of media throughout this nation’s history. Furthermore, Postman discusses has the media is shaping and influencing our culture. He writes about the idea that media has caused the world to lose focus of true information and inspiration. Postman’s thesis revolves around how the core values of media, such as news, have changed over the course of history.
Arabs have many stereotypes that people tend to believe are true. The media is a very powerful tool of communication because it can show us other parts of the world that we normally don’t see on a regular basis. Therefore, people choose what they want to believe and what they want to accept as true
One of the most influential factor is definitely the media. First of all, we need to understand what cultivation means. Cultivation is how media in general affects the individual, in their view of their social reality. By only showing certain points of view, television today has enough power to affect the public discourse and therefore the individuals train of thoughts (Shanahan and Morgan 1999, p.4). This may cause certain misconceptions about different aspects of life, than one’s own aspects, thus altering their opinions but that is not all it causes.
People are immersed in popular culture during most of our waking hours. It is on radio, television, and our computers when we access the Internet, in newspapers, on streets and highways in the form of advertisements and billboards, in movie theaters, at music concerts and sports events, in supermarkets and shopping malls, and at religious festivals and celebrations (Tatum,