How Well Do These Illustrate How Popular Culture Shapes Us

How Well Do These Illustrate How Popular Culture Shapes Our Identity T

How well do these illustrate how popular culture shapes our identity through prescribed codes based on who/what we are (e.g., race, class, gender, sexuality, etc.)? You should use three of the sources that I posted here: 1) Cooper, Brittney. “Hollywood’s Post-Racial mirage: How Pop Culture Got Gentrified.” Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Cultures for Writers, edited by Sonia Maasik and Jack Solomon, 9th edition, Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2018, pp. ; 2) Devor, Aaron. “Gender Role Behaviors and Attitudes.” Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Cultures for Writers, edited by Sonia Maasik and Jack Solomon, 9th edition, Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2018, pp. ; 3) Jennings, Kevin. “American Dreams.” Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Cultures for Writers, edited by Sonia Maasik and Jack Solomon, 9th edition, Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2018, pp. ; 4) Blum, Deborah, “The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?” Signs of Life in the USA, edited by Sonia Maasik et al., 9th edition, Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2018, pp. ; 5) Turow, Joseph. “The Daily You: How the New Advertising Industry Is Defining Your Identity and Your Worth.” Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Culture for Writers, edited by Sonia Maasik and Jack Solomon, 9th Edition, Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2018, pp. ).

Paper For Above instruction

Popular culture plays an influential role in shaping individual and collective identities through the dissemination of prescribed codes that categorize and define who we are based on race, gender, class, sexuality, and other social categories. These codes are embedded within media representations, consumer products, and societal narratives, which serve to reinforce, challenge, or reshape our perceptions of identity. This essay critically examines how popular culture manipulates and constructs social identities, drawing on three scholarly sources: Brittney Cooper’s critique of post-racial narratives, Aaron Devor’s analysis of gender role behaviors, and Kevin Jennings’ exploration of American dreams and cultural aspirations.

Firstly, Brittney Cooper’s examination of Hollywood’s portrayal of race illustrates the way popular culture perpetuates the idea of a post-racial society, which often masks persistent racial hierarchies. Cooper argues that mainstream media’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion efforts creates a distorted image that suggests race no longer matters—a concept that fundamentally influences societal perceptions of race and identity. This prescribed code, which presents a sanitized, gentrified version of racial justice, influences individuals’ understanding of their racial identities, often marginalizing systemic inequalities under the guise of progress. For instance, the representation of Black characters in Hollywood films sometimes reinforces stereotypes or simplifies complex racial experiences, shaping viewers’ notions of race and belonging (Cooper, 2018).

Secondly, Aaron Devor’s insights into gender role behaviors highlight how popular culture enforces prescribed norms related to gender identities and roles. Devor demonstrates that media portrayals often depict masculinity and femininity in narrowly defined ways, which influence societal expectations and individual behaviors. The media’s portrayal of gender as a binary and its reinforcement of certain gender roles serve as powerful codes that shape how people perceive themselves and others. For example, advertisements and television shows frequently depict women as nurturing and emotional, while men are shown as assertive and independent, thereby reinforcing gender stereotypes (Devor, 2018). These culturally accepted codes impact personal identity formation and contribute to the perpetuation of gender inequality.

Lastly, Kevin Jennings’ exploration of American dreams reveals how popular culture fosters a collective aspiration for success and upward mobility, shaping national identity and idealized self-perceptions. Jennings emphasizes that media-driven narratives about what it means to be successful influence individuals’ aspirations and societal values. These codes of success, often rooted in consumerism and material wealth, create a cultural blueprint that defines social worth and personal achievement. Consequently, individuals internalize these ideals, influencing their sense of identity and self-worth, often aligning their personal narratives with the dominant cultural codes (Jennings, 2018).

In conclusion, popular culture significantly shapes our identities by propagating prescribed codes related to race, gender, and social aspiration. These cultural scripts guide how individuals perceive themselves and others, often reinforcing societal inequalities or constructing aspirational ideals. The sources discussed—Cooper’s critique of post-racial gentrification, Devor’s analysis of gender norms, and Jennings’ depiction of American dreams—demonstrate the pervasive influence of popular culture in forming and influencing our social identities through embedded Codes. Understanding these influences is crucial in fostering a more conscious engagement with media and cultural narratives, which can challenge stereotypes and foster more inclusive conceptions of identity.

References

• Cooper, B. (2018). Hollywood’s Post-Racial mirage: How Pop Culture Got Gentrified. In S. Maasik & J. Solomon (Eds.), Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Cultures (9th ed., pp. ). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Devor, A. (2018). Gender Role Behaviors and Attitudes. In S. Maasik & J. Solomon (Eds.), Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Cultures (9th ed., pp. ). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Jennings, K. (2018). American Dreams. In S. Maasik & J. Solomon (Eds.), Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Cultures (9th ed., pp. ). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Blum, D. (2018). The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over? In S. Maasik et al. (Eds.), Signs of Life in the USA (9th ed., pp. ). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Turow, J. (2018). The Daily You: How the New Advertising Industry Is Defining Your Identity and Your Worth. In S. Maasik & J. Solomon (Eds.), Signs of Life in the USA (9th ed., pp. ). Bedford/St. Martin’s.