Week 5

In today’s world, media plays a big part in shaping society. With tv, theater, and the internet playing a bigger and bigger part of everyday life, things that have played out in the media are being duplicated in real life. One example of this can be seen in how the culture of rap music is influencing the American and world landscape. It seems rap music began as a way for the African American population to unify, be able to take pride in their culture, and show to the world the problems they face (poverty, racism, inequality) and how they overcome them. This culture was a stark contrast to what was acceptable in mainstream American culture at the time. As time passed on it seems that the music became more recognized, and elements of drug use, violence, sex, and profanities became more gratuitious. Now it seems rap music atleast popular rap, focuses simply on sex, drugs, violence, and money. These ideas are now popular in American society, and their influences are seen in every facet of American life. This is similar to the Kabuki theater example, as Kabuki theater initially gained popularity as it portrayed life that was different then the standard at the time. However as more people started watching Kabuki theater, they pressed for pushing the envelope(more sex, violence, and so on) and once it gained enough popularity, these new concepts gained acceptance and integration in normal Japanese life.