Have You Traveled Abroad Or To Any Part Of The United States

Have You Traveled Abroad Or To Any Part Of The United States Where

Have you traveled abroad, or to any part of the United States where the local “culture” and norms are different than those that you are accustomed to? Have you inadvertently violated any norms of the culture you visited? What were they? Did you experience any feelings of “ethnocentrism” while traveling to these locations? Read the Washington Post piece and watch the videos in this module (Dark Horse, Hymn for the Weekend). According to the Washington Post article, what is 'cultural appropriation' and are these two artists guilty of it? Why or why not? In your response, think thoughtfully about mainstream culture versus subculture. Describe the concept of subcultures and countercultures as variations within cultures. Provide an example of a subcultural or countercultural group and discuss what features make it a subculture or counterculture. Does Lil Nas X exemplify subcultural or countercultural representation in his video "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)"? Comment thoughtfully on this question by referencing the article "I Grew Up Afraid..." by Ashon Crawley. Identify what you think are 3 “American values.” Assess the role these values play in the arrangement of the American educational, health, economic, or political system. For instance, if Americans value ‘privacy,’ how are privacy policies used in these various institutions? Answer the following: 1) Are there some acts or traits which you think would be universally or nearly universally considered deviant? Which ones? 2) Define and contrast the following definitions of deviance: absolutist and relativist. Give examples of each definition. Summarize the article "Making Friends with a Murderer—and Proving He's Innocent." What do you think accounts for the considerable number of cases of innocent people that are jailed for crimes that they didn't commit? Read the article "Welcome to Pariahville." What is the importance of the label “sex offender”? Is it always helpful? How does this relate to stigma? Why was this 'community' started? What was your reaction to learning that there is a place like the City of Refuge? Lastly, explain in detail the difference between individual crimes (street or blue collar crimes) and corporate or governmental crimes (white-collar crimes). Which type of crime is ultimately more harmful and costly to society and why? Use a conflict perspective to explain why certain crimes, victims, and offenders are covered by the media while others are not.

Paper For Above instruction

The experience of traveling abroad or to different parts of the United States often exposes individuals to diverse cultures, norms, and values that can challenge their preconceived notions. Such travels can sometimes result in inadvertent violations of local norms, especially when cultural differences are subtle but profound. Ethnocentrism, the tendency to view one’s own culture as superior, frequently surfaces during such encounters, influencing perceptions and interactions in unfamiliar settings. Recognizing and understanding cultural norms is essential to navigating diverse environments respectfully and responsibly.

Cultural appropriation, as discussed in the Washington Post article, refers to the adoption of elements from a marginalized culture by members of a dominant culture, often without understanding or respecting the original context. The videos "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry and "Hymn for the Weekend" by Coldplay, featuring Beyoncé, have sparked debates about whether these artists engaged in cultural appropriation. Critics argue that they commodify cultural symbols for commercial gain, while supporters contend that they celebrate diversity and bring cultural awareness. The distinction often hinges on intent, context, and power dynamics, with mainstream culture frequently accused of appropriating from subcultures in ways that diminish or distort original meanings.

Subcultures and countercultures are variations within larger cultural frameworks that challenge or differentiate themselves from mainstream norms. For example, the punk subculture is characterized by distinctive fashion, music, and attitudes that reject mainstream societal values. These groups often form around shared interests, beliefs, and practices that set them apart. Lil Nas X’s "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" exemplifies a countercultural stance by challenging traditional norms around sexuality, fame, and religious symbolism. Drawing on Ashon Crawley's "I Grew Up Afraid…," Lil Nas X’s art can be seen as a form of expressive resistance that questions societal taboos and promotes authenticity.

Three core American values—individualism, freedom, and equality—shape many aspects of the nation’s institutions. Individualism emphasizes personal responsibility and self-reliance, reflected in the emphasis on personal achievement in education and the economy. Freedom underpins civil liberties and political rights, influencing policies like free speech and privacy protections. Equality drives efforts toward social justice and anti-discrimination laws, although disparities persist. Privacy policies in healthcare, education, and government exemplify these values by balancing individual rights with institutional responsibilities, yet debates about data security and surveillance highlight ongoing tensions.

Acts deemed deviant across cultures and societies tend to possess universal traits such as harm or violations of social norms. For instance, murder is nearly universally seen as deviant because it causes harm and violates fundamental moral codes. The absolutist perspective on deviance views certain acts as inherently wrong, regardless of context—murder or theft are always condemnable. Conversely, the relativist perspective sees deviance as context-dependent, varying by cultural norms—what's deviant in one society may be acceptable in another. Examples include alcohol consumption or dress codes, which vary widely across cultures.

The article "Making Friends with a Murderer—and Proving He's Innocent" highlights flaws in the criminal justice system, including misidentification, false confessions, and systemic biases that contribute to wrongful convictions. Many innocent individuals are jailed due to inadequate forensic evidence, prosecutorial misconduct, or lack of access to effective legal representation. These factors reveal systemic issues where the innocent are victimized by procedural errors and societal attitudes that prioritize convictions over justice.

"Welcome to Pariahville" discusses the stigma attached to the label “sex offender,” which often results in social exclusion and marginalization, regardless of individual circumstances or the nature of the offense. While labeling can help protect communities, it can also hinder rehabilitation—stigmatization persists long after the legal punishment. The community termed “City of Refuge” was created as a supportive space for offenders attempting to reintegrate, addressing the societal tendency to ostracize rather than rehabilitate. The existence of such spaces prompts reflection on the balance between safety and compassion, with reactions ranging from skepticism to cautious approval.

White-collar crimes, such as fraud and embezzlement, differ significantly from street or blue-collar crimes in their perpetrators, settings, and often perceived severity. White-collar crimes involve deception by individuals or organizations in professional settings and tend to cause substantial financial damage and societal harm over time. Street crimes are often impulsive, violent, and directly impacting victims’ safety. While street crimes may generate immediate physical harm, white-collar crimes can undermine economic systems and erode trust in institutions, making them arguably more costly and damaging in the long term.

From a conflict perspective, media coverage tends to favor stories involving street crimes and violent offenders, which evoke strong emotional reactions and reinforce societal fears. White-collar crimes, despite their scale, often garner less media attention due to the complexities involved in exposing corporate misconduct and the powerful interests defending them. Victims of white-collar crimes frequently lack the visibility and immediacy that characterize street crime victims, leading to disparities in public awareness and policy responses. This disparity reflects broader societal inequalities and power dynamics that influence which crimes are highlighted and prioritized.

References

• Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Free Press.
• Barkan, S. E. (2010). Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction. Pearson.
• Ferrell, J., Frailing, K., & Hayward, K. (2014). Crime and Deviance. In J. Ferrell, K. Frailing, & K. Hayward (Eds.), Criminology: A Sociological Introduction. SAGE Publications.
• Hagan, J. (2008). Sociology of Crime and Deviance. SAGE Publications.
• Jenks, C. (2019). Cultural Appropriation and Mainstream Culture. Journal of Contemporary Culture.
• Klein, M. W., & Maxson, C. L. (2009). Street Crime and Deviance. In M. W. Klein & C. L. Maxson (Eds.), Street Crime and Juvenile Delinquency. Routledge.
• Shaw, C. R., & McKay, H. D. (1942). Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas. University of Chicago Press.
• Sutherland, E. H. (1949). White Collar Crime. Dryden Press.
• Wacquant, L. (2009). Punishing the Poor: The Neoliberal Governing of Social Insecurity. Duke University Press.
• Williams, P. (2015). The Social Construction of Deviance. Social Problems.