Culture by

Your Prompt: Culture

alyssalyons1 — 2023-02-07 17:43:18 UTC

For this week, we spoke about the dimensions of culture and cultural norms. You prompt is to choose a song and discuss how the video and/or lyrics resist or reinforce dominant cultural norms. These norms can be around gender, social class, American culture, dating culture, media, whatever you choose! Please embed the link to your chosen video so folks can see what song you're referencing.

Laisha Frias

laishafrias77 — 2023-09-21 01:09:34 UTC

The song "Carmen" By Stromae resists the cultural norm of social media. The song and lyrics heavily judge social media platforms, more specifically Twitter. The lyrics speak about how a fake environment is created where everyone is forsaking actual relationships for likes and follows, and becoming self-obsessed with their internet persona. In the video, it's seen how the man's life is a complete lie. He is constantly alone, besides the "bird" that follows him around and when he actually manages to interact with someone else he ruins that interaction because of his obsession. Throughout the song, the small "bird" continues to grow and grow and completely takes over the man's life until it literally goes to shit, it portrays social media as this being that with enough time will gain influence and power over you and your life, it exposes them since they do not care about how people are affected or how far they would go for more. The song ends with the man's life ruined and that small "bird" starting over from the beginning but with a new victim.

Kadiatou Drame

2023-09-21 03:30:58 UTC

The song "Black Parade" by Beyonce is an example of a dominant culture. The subject of cultural illusions to Black people is well-covered in Beyonce's song "Black Parade." Furthermore, it discusses her heritage and background. Her lyrics essentially talk about the value of growing up in a Black culture. A powerful message is also conveyed by the lyrics to all black people worldwide. Being black is a thing, and it's a way we can be politically active. She speaks about her ancestors and how they continue to remain inside of her., to honor her ancestors. Her lyrics support the dominant culture's empowerment. One line that stood out to me was " I can't for get my history- its her story." That phrase stood out to me because, despite her being an American living in the present, she understands that prior generations will never be forgotten.

Lemuel Garcia

2023-09-22 16:47:30 UTC

The song "The way life goes" by Lil Uzi vert reinforces the norm of dating culture that not everything goes as planed but life goes on and as it does we need to move on as well. The lyrics on the song tell us how we can fall in love with a special someone and have good times with them but one day it could all end and feelings such as sadness, emptiness and loneliness will affect us mentally, socially and emotionally. Even though this can happen the lyric also encourages to move on from this depressive state The lyrics state "Yeah, I know it hurts sometimes But you'll get over it You'll find another life to live" as the lyrics states it can hurt to be broken by love but it also tells us that we will get over it and find another way to live our life for the better. I strongly agree with these lyrics since I've been broken before and it does hurt but that song made me realize that it wasn't ok to stay there since it will affect me even more, so think that the message of these lyrics strongly reinforces the dominant dating culture norms.

2023-09-22 17:07:52 UTC

The song New Slaves by Kanye West is a commentary on the materialistic culture we all live in nowadays as well as an F-U to the media, critics, and racism, this song is a wakeup call for everyone even me. The noisy and brass beat accompanied by the vulgar and strong vocabulary used in this song is not to be taken lightly, Kanye uses both to smack our faces with the message of the song. The year before this album's release, Kanye released a women's clothing line which he designed himself, and the media believed he had the help of a team with the designs because the line was so good. I bring this point up because he opens the song with his verse saying, “Doin’ clothes, you woulda thought I had help, but they wasn’t satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself.” The media often bashes people they do not agree with, in this case the media was angered by the Taylor Swift incident. In the same verse he proceeded to talk about the full spectrum of racism he encounters. He goes,” You see its broke n* racism that’s that ‘don’t touch anything in the store’ and its rich n* racism that’s that ‘come in please buy more’” this translates that to prior to his success he was stereotyped as a black man who wanted to steal something and now that he is successful he is stereotyped as the black man who makes some money and blows it all on material things. In the same verse he drops the ultimate line, “used to only be n* now everybody playin.” Kanye is talking about how black people used to be the only slaves, now due to material objects anyone can be a slave, black, white, or blue. The idea is that money is being used to keep people doing what others want i.e., buying expensive brands and conforming with the popularity, so others can benefit from others labor wages. The ones spending all the money are the slaves, the ones making all the money are the leaders. This is an important line for the identity of the “Slaves” mentioned in the song title. Although a large part of the song is explicitly criticizing institutionalized racism in America, lines like this one and the lines that reference the Maybach car company allow “New Slaves” to engage in a Marxist critique of American capitalism. This song goes beyond the social norm because it is the truth about our society, the internet has corrupted the people.

Haylee Mendez

2023-09-24 18:36:06 UTC

The song "Snow On Tha Bluff" by J. Cole reinforces what todays social class and American Culture look like. The song's emphasis is on police brutality, racism and inequity. The song is extensive and really makes you feel the weight of the message being conveyed. The message centers on female activism informing and educating about police brutality and racism through social media. As she is disturbed and infuriated on how people such as celebrities with huge platforms are not taking the same action as she is devoted to. I chose this song because I agree with the ideas represented and how the message is carried out. It allows you to capitalize on how the world has not changed in this specific factor. As well as gain a much better understanding as you take a deeper dive.

Aymara Romero

aymararomero — 2023-09-25 00:23:35 UTC

The song I chose was "Liquid Smooth" by Mitski, the song interprets how it is like to be a woman in society. The reason I chose this song because it has a way to explain how society makes women roles to be. Mitski interprets how a woman only are seen for their beauty, not their personality or their intelligence, thoughts, feelings. As women we are humans, organisms. But we are constantly objectified every time we step out the door and do anything. "I'm liquid smooth, come touch me, too, and feel my skin is plump and full of life. I'm in my prime" "I'm at my highest peak, I'm ripe, about to fall capture me." In a lot of women of color households growing up we are taught to know how to please men. How to objectify ourselves and make us be what men desire. As women we are told we need to give men what they want, where comes Mitski when she says, "come touch me too". When she talks about being ripe it is talking about when women are at the "peak of their life" when they're beautiful to everyone's eyes and are objectified and sexualized to a harsh extent and we're just supposed to take it.

Fatima Cruz

fatimaxy1234 — 2023-09-25 02:10:54 UTC

The song i chose is " solo me dejaste" by Grupo Marca Registrada . This song goes with the dating culture of nowadays. The songs is about the aftermath of when the relationship doesn't go the way you want it to. The song starts with how they've accepted that person left them and they aren't going to change for that person to love them again. How they will become a better person become a better version of themself how they are progressing and healing now that its over. At the same time though they are hurt but they're coping by drinking alcohol and how their memories with that person are starting to erase. " Fuiste un recuerdo bonito, pero ya quedaste en el pasado
Ya no tengo la necesidad
De irte a buscar " translated to "You were a beautiful memory, but you are now in the past
I no longer have the need
to go look for you" shows how the person is grateful with all the memories they have created together but they choose themselves and decided that the past stays there and they will grow as a person they will keep thriving . I feel this song is great after a break up more now than ever because many won't actually be in a relationship but more of " situtionship" where you guys are like a couple but neither or one of you cant commit. This song can help you realize that although it might be hard and you've created many memories with that person you should always choose you. Become a better version of you and to keep thriving.

None of your Concern- Jhené Aiko

alinahc173 — 2023-09-25 06:43:48 UTC

The song that I chose was "None of Your Concern" by Jhené Aiko. This song is about dating culture. Jhené Aiko reinforces the dominant cultural norms in relationships. Jhené Aiko is staying in this song about how she regrets getting into a relationship because her boyfriend seems annoyed, and starts to become distant. She repeats "None of your concern". She first states this when she is asking her boyfriend who is better for her in their relationship but since he is being distant he is no longer responding to her, so she guesses it's none of her concern. Once Jhené Aiko decides to move on, her ex questions her and states that she is doing wrong for moving on, so she states that what she does now is not his concern because he left her first while she was trying to save their relationship which drained her. Big Sean afterward states how she is going out with people who aren't good for her and that she knew he had "issues" so she should have known what was to come for getting in the relationship with him. Jhené Aiko reinforces dating culture because women tend to try to save relationships while they are hurting and men are moving on with no regrets, but once a female moves on that's when men want to backtrack to keep the woman around as a backup. Men use excuses in order to manipulate females to stay in a relationship with them. "You know I had these issues when you met me Results of those past damages that I haven't dealt with"(3:30)

Danna Carmona

2023-09-25 18:08:23 UTC

The song " Women's World" by Little Mix are speaking out truth from this wonderful song. Jesy's parts says how a mother tells her daughter that she has to work much harder even than men just because she doesn't has a 'pretty face' according to the society. She has to continue the same job even if she is underpaid, just 'cause the way she looks isn't apealing for some people. Then the next part states that women are always said to follow the rule book from what they should wear to what they should speak. Then it continues saying that all these stereotypes are gonna end and there is gonna be a change in the future, we hope to see that change. A part in the song,"only want the body but not the brains." this part really conveys the fact that in the world that men look for looks but don't care about the brain, in this society women have to have a certain look for men see if it's in their liking. This songs talks about our society about what men look for and how much work women do to be able to survive even when things are hard and unfair women still work.

Dariel Miranda

2023-09-26 05:51:54 UTC

The song I chose is titled "False Prophets" by J. Cole. The purpose of this song is to acknowledge the idolization of celebrities and how they're just normal people, glorified because of social norms, hence the title “False Prophets”. There are some people who genuinely follow and pay attention to the lives of celebrities spending hours doing so. Not only that, people often speak about how the music they listen to speaks to them and how relatable it is despite not realizing that most pop music isn’t even truly written by the artist, but meticulously analyzed by labels and lawyers to sell the illusion that it is speaking to you. Most pop music is popular because the higher-ups follow certain trends to regurgitate the same music over and over with slight changes and people consume it willingly. Not only is the song about the idolization of celebrities but how celebrities are held to a different standard than "normal people". For instance, It is believed that in this song J. Cole is referencing Kanye and his downward spiral. He speaks on how although society deemed him one of the greatest artists of all time, society genuinely doesn't care for him as a human but cares for the entertainment he provides even if that entertainment is a spiral into insanity. Society encourages his type of behavior for entertainment, forgetting that behind this celebrity is a human life. J. Cole states “Well, fuck it, what's more important is he's cryin' out for help While the world's eggin' him on, I'm beggin' him to stop”. Celebrities are treated like prophets but are subconsciously seen as subhuman jesters who only matter when something entertaining happens.

Cynthia Ostorva

2023-09-26 20:21:51 UTC

The song I chose is ‘Spine Breaker’ by BTS. The song reinforces the cultural idea of youth wanting to keep up with trends and spending money recklessly. But it also talks about how society is divided into two parts: “The class system of the 21st century is divided into two.” Society is, in fact, divided into two parts: people who have wealth and people who live in poverty. The members express how the people wanting to wear and own expensive items ignore the fact that their parents work hard, and they whine and complain about getting these items. “Your greed fills up; even after seeing your parents curved spines, you’re so coldhearted.” BTS calls out these people who get greedy and want to follow the trends or friends: “You complain that all your friends have it and that they should buy it for you.” The members tell youth to stop being immature and realize that nothing bad will happen if they don't have these trendy items. In the chorus, they express that it must feel good to these young people to put on these ‘dirty’ clothes because they might think they feel cool and different compared to other young people. “You are a spine breaker, your parent’s spine breaker.” They say that the youth are wrong because they fail to realize that these items will “suffocate their hearts” because someday they’ll regret feeling superior to others at the cost of their parents’ hard labor. BTS also says that youth fail to realize how easy and good they have it these days, even if they think they would be an outcast for not owning these expensive items.

Andrea Guevara

andreaguevararecarte — 2023-09-26 22:15:39 UTC

The song I have chosen is Lana Del Reys song titled "National Anthem" for this prompt. Although the name of the song may mislead you to assume she is singing a country's national anthem, it is actually a sort of revised anthem. She is definitely singing about the United States culture towards its social construct. She repeatedly sings about what wealth or money in general means here such as "Money is the reason we exist, everybody knows it a fact" and "Money is the anthem of success so put on mascara and your party dress". This is supported by the rest of the song which she sings about living a high end life. My favorite part of the song is where Lana sings about things people do in their lavish lifestyle "Wining and Dining, Drinking and Driving, Excessive buying, over dose and dying". It is pretty much what American culture is like which is very unfortunate. She also said that it is "the love story for the new age, for the sixth page" which I also agree on because as time progresses and new generations replace old ones, the idea of having a good time is different and has become dangerous.

dejesusmatos05 — 2023-09-27 03:10:32 UTC

The song "No Ordinary Love" by Sade reinforces the dominant cultural norms of love and how we give everything to a person when we love them. starting off, you can hear the instruments and melody this song has to offer such as the saxophone, bass, and guitar. Sade then begins the song by saying "I gave you all the love I got I gave you more than I could give" expressing how she offered everything she had and more than what she could give. Sade then proceeds to say "And you took my love, You took my love" to show how no matter how much love she gave to this person they still ended up living, breaking her heart in the process. This is a typical love cultural thing, you fall in love with somebody, giving/show them all the love you have for them but they don't always end up staying. This can break a person mentally and physically, not having that person they cared so much for can make them unhappy and even suffer. As she says "Did somebody say that
A love like that won't last" We can see in the music video, that Sade hugs and swims over the water to indicate how she still hasn't given up and is still trying for this person, just like how we do we someone who we truly love and care for.

Olivia Rodrigo - Anjali Latchman

anjlatchie — 2023-09-27 03:25:32 UTC

The song I am going to choose for this assignment is going to be "Good for you" by Olivia Rodrigo. This song more focuses on the dating culture. Throughout this song, Olivia is expressing how she is sarcastically happy and filled with joy about her ex moving on with another woman. Deep down, she knows she is hurt by the fact that he even moved on from their relationship. This is related to dating culture because everyone goes through breakups at some point in their life. Most people tend to act like they don't care or pay their mind when they hear or see their ex has moved on. Some may even act as if it didn't exist. Similar to her song. As Olivia sings this song, you notice how she expresses her emotions as to how she felt about this guy. Many young women or girls who have gone through or experience breakups would understand the true meaning of her songs. You could hear how hurt she is by the wording of her song. As the song stated " It's like we never even happened
Baby, what the fuck is up with that? (Ha)
And good for you, it's like you never even met me
Remember when you swore to God I was the only person who ever got you?".
Well, screw that and screw you
You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do". Olivia talks about how her ex fails to act like he even cared about their relationship because he moved on and was acting like he never cared about her. This is very similar to what happens in the real world with dating culture. This song is very powerful because it shows how hurt you feel after a break up and at the end of the day your the only cure to your issues.

nancyreyes0407 — 2023-09-27 05:37:38 UTC

The song " when I was your man" by Bruno Mars. This song is about dating culture because it's about repentance for not having appreciated your partner when they were still together and how he should have made a better effort. In the song it says, my pride, my ego, my needs and my selfish ways caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life. Now never, never get to clean up the mess i made, oh and that haunts me very time I close my eyes. Expressing the love you feel for someone is always necessary and the song expresses how sometimes we let our pride make us lose good people also expresses his desire for her to be happy and wishes that she could have the things that he should have had when he was his partner. We deserve what we give, explode with love and show your feeling with details, messages or anything.

Mamadou Diallo

2023-09-28 18:50:33 UTC

The song DTB (Don't Trust Bitches), is song about heart break that is rapped by the British Drill rapper "Jbee." This song is about the break up between him and his ex girlfriend and how he is feeling after it. He feels betrayed and played with. The title of the song Don't Trust Bitches, is more of a modern idea or moto that most young men has consumed. In the society that we live in both men and women struggle within relationships but based on my personal perspective, men go through lots of emotions after break ups or when relationships don't work out. And these emotions gives young men the idea to not trust women, or what Jbee says, "Bitches". In the world that we live in, men are taught at a young age to not show emotions, to overcome any obstacle, and to endure any pain that comes in life. These are the characteristics that kills our soul in relationships. As human beings, we all have emotions; and to ignore them is unhealthy. However, when men do acknowledge their emotions, they are seen as weak which affects how the opposite sex or spouse views us. All of these are messages that Jbee shares in the song and he explains how this makes the heart break that he is going through even harder.

Janeidy Perez

janeidyp2_ — 2023-10-11 02:29:13 UTC

The song, "If I Were a Boy" by Beyonce demonstrates the cultural norm around men and women. In this song Beyonce illustrates the things she would do if she were a boy. She's showing us her imagination if she were a boy. In each lyric she describes exactly what men do and how she would change what a man does. "I think I could understand. How it feels to love a girl. I swear I'd be a better man. I'd listen to her. 'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed." In this lyric, Beyonce is describing how it feels to be a woman and get hurt by a man. She's describing exactly what she would do if she were a man and exactly how a man should be treating a woman. She's describing how in society men take advantage of women and take certain things for granted which causes indifferences within a relationship. Beyonce is also trying to describe how being faithful to a woman isn't difficult at all. She's describing how if she were a man, she would understand how it feels to love a girl and become a better man. She's demonstrating how men don't know how to love woman and they'd never understand until he finally loses the woman. That's why she keeps referring to men as "boys" because they don't understand.

David Shalamov

2023-12-20 22:59:52 UTC

Thid song by Justin Timberlake reinforces certain social norms because Timberlake plays as the main man trying to rouse the girl and attract her while also playing the lead in this dance. This shows the man leading in both scenarios which is an old cultural norm that has been changing as of recent. Even the lyrics show justins advances towards a female that hes interested in. Even though this song will go down as one of the greats of the past times are changing and more and more women will take leadership roles as the years go on.