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Post written by Amon Moore of Georgia State University

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Essay Reflection #2

The challenge I encountered was vouching my claims in my essay without using sources (which was the goal). Although I enjoyed using my OWN opinions and way of thinking to some-how convert the audience to my belief of the subject. A goal I set for this particular essay was to PERSUADE my claim more. I didn't want to just "report" facts like my prior essay, but persuade and lure the audience. I also managed to use some new skills I learned from my Philosophy class... to question beliefs, and explain why they are/aren't right. 

The absence of research requires the writer to be more compelling in their claim. Many college essay writers rely on research for the reader to comprehend and put together, but opinionated persuasion can grasp the reader as well. Personal opinions allow the reader to understand your personality and why the topic is important to you (the writer). It is a new approach.

The changes I seen in this essay was my new use of philosophical approach. I challenged the beliefs of misogynist and feminist, while understanding BOTH sides of the spectrum. I learned that when you argue about something, you must first understand both sides... and then proceed to defend the better side.

I would like to focus on using more content and coming up with more ideas to add to my essay. Sometimes I am too brief... and I would like to extend my ideas. 

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Response to Murray's "Invisible Symmetries'

Murray beings his essay with suggesting that comic book superheros are liberal characters with values and "self pro-social missions". For example, Batman fought crime, Superman fought corruption and Wonder-woman stood for gender equality. He asserts that, "... liberty is embodied in the superhero, who is empowered to enforce their own moral code.". Superheros are symbols of authority, justice and libertarianism (which is the ideology of defending inalienable rights).  

Superheros in comic books (throughout decades) have changed their representation. Their images and situations in the comics are influenced by real events happening at the time (for example, WW2 and other wars). Murray believes that the superheros are metaphors of American military dominance and though the are a symbol of liberty... there is "positive" and "negative" liberties, in which he refers to Isiah Berlin's lecture. Positive Liberty is freedom to transform the world through revolutionary action and Negative Liberty is freedom from control and interference. I think negative liberty is anarchy, and that positive government authority is needed. 

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Response to Barthe's Essay

Barthe begins his essay, with comparing wrestling to theater in a circus (in which it is). He also asserts that wresting is NOT a sport, but a spectacle. Boxing ( in which he considers a sport) is predictable, focused and the contestants do not show much emotion. Wrestlers, on the other hand, exaggerate pain and emotion and put on a show for the audience. Barthe suggest that the costumes, props and roles in wrestling can be compared to ancient theater. I liked barthe's essay and how he explained the "sport" to be more entertaining, because many critics just call it 'fake", but it is a show-case (all broadway shows are fake...). 

Kaneko also acknowledges that wrestling is a story-line. Wrestlers would "kayfabe" (meaning to improvise or act out a character) during interviews and backstage to maintain their character--which is all business. Kaneko also reflects on his childhood fascination with wrestling and how he would believe everything was real. He also takes us back to when he would attend wrestling matches and introduced us to the roles and storylines of the professional wrestlers. 

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"The White Album" by Joan Didion

"The White Album" is a memoir written by Joan Didion, where she narrates many sensational events and encounters that she had in her life (in the 60s and 70s). She resided in Hollywood, California in the midst of famous people and historical events. She was also renowned herself, as she was listed as "Woman of the Year" in the Los Angeles Times, 1968. What caught my interest was her opinion on her honor. Didion claims she did not do "good work" as Mrs. Ronald Reagan and Debbie Meyer did, but she kept in touch. What she means is that she improvised throughout life... going with the flow of things and making things work. 

I found Didion to be oddly fond of murder trials. She was rather fond of the Ferguson bros trials, and the Mason Trials. She actually met one of the star witnesses in the Mason trials, Linda Kasablan. In Didion's memoir she also meets many iconic figures in her generation. 

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My Essay Critique

I was interested in writing about Beyonce for my essay topic, because she it seems that she is praised in pop culture (especially recently). Personally, I have grown up listening to Beyonce and it seems that NOW she is glorified and I think the reason is because her personality. I did not want to write about Beyonce's music and accomplishments, because it is cliche and doesn't go with the social task of our essay. 

My usually process of writing is to brainstorm three main points in my head. I do not write down my ideas, because I feel it is unnecessary. When I start on my rough draft. I work on it as if it was my final draft. My rough draft and final drafts do not differ too much, in my final rafts I usually just add sentences into either paragraphs to supplement my explanations. I also search around to use better synonyms for words to appear more scholarly. I do not completely finish my paragraphs until the near end of my essay process. 

I did not have any issues of structure or content in my essay, because I believe that is my strongest point in essays. [I love essays] What I could improve on in this particular essay is my use of more convincing facts to why Beyonce is "loved". I was also difficult to find reliable sources to vouch, but I managed to find good ones about role models and humility. I could also improve on talking less about Beyonce herself and focus more on how society correlates certain traits with perfection (and role model worthy). 

My most difficult in writing Essays in general is finding more sophisticated words to use and being more persuasive. As for better words, I tend to look-up synonyms, but I would like to expand my "lexicon" knowledge.To be more persuasive I need to research more sources and pin-point findings that are perfect and would enhance my paragraphs. I sometimes, have difficulty with making conclusion, but for the most part I just re-state my main points in different words. 

By the end of the semester I hope to supplement my essays with better vocabulary and be more convincing. I would also like the ability to dig deeper into topics and elaborate on things that I find myself hard to write two sentences about. 

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Essay Topic: Why Do People Love Beyonce?

Who is Beyonce and what is wonderful about her? In pop culture (especially recently) it seems as if the pop singer is being admired and worshiped by EVERYONE. She has die-heart fans, referred to as the Beyhive, and even her industry peers and predecessors express their respect for her. May 2014, Saturday Night Live aired a skit called "The Beygency" which was a trailer for a faux-movie about someone who negatively commented on Beyonce and gets stalked by her fans. The skit accurately depicts how devoted and defensive her fans are about her. The SNL skit also aired after Beyonce released a surprise album selling a million in a week on iTunes (proving how admiring she is). In 2005, when pop-star Rihanna was asked whose career she respected the most in an interview she answered, "Beyonce!". Beyonce has been mentioned by public figures such as Bono, Katy Perry, Adele, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Prince, and many many more. They all seem to indicate that she is talented, genuine, kind, and beautiful. These traits are are exemplar of what society visualizes as the "perfect women" or "perfect role model". ...

Why does everyone worship this women? Of course, many people enjoy listening to her music and watch her performances, but is it her talent that attracts so many? I suggest the real reason that she is glorified like a God on Earth is because of her personality and seemingly flaw-less reputation. That may be the true reason people consume her products and buy her music. Arguably, people indulge in Beyonce, because of HER, not necessarily her music. In my essay, I want to focus on Beyonce's essence, rather than her musical contributions, and vouch why many love her. Beyonce is always a positive person, in all her interviews, she's always smiling, shy and seemingly kind. She's never impolite or stuck up, and her humbleness is another trait that forces people to respect Beyonce (she isn't a diva). Her reputation isn't so bad either, she has never been in sensational drama, had celebrity "beef" or even said anything offensive. Not to mention she only had one public relationship, got married, then had a child, which is why society could see her as a perfect role model for younger girls, because she "does things the right way". It is unorthodox to speak negative about Beyonce, because there isn't anything negative about her and in my essay I will explore how Beyonce could be considered the paragon of a perfect women to society.

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Chadda & Wilsons' Essay

In Chadda and Wilsons' essay, "Urban Inequality & The Wire", they focus on the crime-drama television series, The Wire. The show is set in Baltimore, and it's plot is based on crime, poverty, and inequality that happens in that urban setting.  

One of the topics that Chadda and Wilson focused on was the poor education system in the inner-city. I agree with their opinions on how of children in poverty cannot escape, because they do not have access to great education. The children in these destitute areas do not have outlets (like education) to stray away from their negative surroundings. In The Wire, the public school lacked resources to teach the children and to better their future careers. 

The essay also discuss how majority of the population's in the impoverish inner-city is black. They referred back in history when African Americans from the south traveled to the North for jobs, this was called the Great Migration. This migration resulted in inner-city "ghettos" and impoverished areas. In my opinion, this IS the reason why many blacks are in these areas, because it stems from their history. With no good education or urban policies, they will continue to dwell in these areas. 

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Pierson's Essay

In Pierson's Essay, he talks about the masculinity portrayed in the premiere episode of the Breaking Bad series. To start his essay, Pierson explains the opening of the pilot episode in which the protagonist, Walter White, is seen in the desert speaking his "last" words into a video camera and then wielding a gun as he awaited the approaching police sirens. Pierson suggest that this is an example of masculinity, in which the situation Walter is in, he does not submit, he is ready to fight back. 

In the essay, Pierson uses the term "hegemonic masculinity". Hegemonic is the adjective of Hegemony, which is the social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group. This group being white straight men in America and their masculinity. In the episode, after the scene of Walter in the desert, the beginning of his journey starts. Walter is an average american, working as a teacher and at a car-wash to help provide for his family. He has a wife and a disabled son that seems to not respect his father. His students did not respect him either. Pierson suggest that Walter lacks the masculinity that he wants and is insecure in his situation. Not to mention, there was a scene in the pilot episode where the wife attempted to arouse Walter, but his penis was limp. Pierson's argument throughout his essay suggest this masculinity theme being portrayed in the episode as the goal that Walter wants to achieve. He proves this, by analyzing how Walter began to test his masculine side by attacking his son's bullies, quitting his job and contemplating being involved in drug trafficking for money. 

My own argument is that the aspiration for financial stability and income is the more prominent theme in this episode. I do agree with Pierson's premise that Walter is looking for confidence in his life, masculinity being one and financial stability being the other. These two could go hand-in-hand, because the ideology of a male is being able to provide (financial stability) and financial stability gives you more confidence and boost your ego. In the episode, Walter is obviously struggling to make ends meet, because his teaching job is not enough for his household. Walter's confidence in his finances were probably worsened when he realized that the nice expensive car he was cleaning at his second job (the fact of needing a second job is already disheartening) was owned by his own teenage student. Thinking back to Pierson's argument about masculinity, Walter may have felt that the roles were switched, because a younger male is surpassing him. That is why at Walter's 50th birthday party, when his brother-in-law is on the newscast revealing $700,000 they captured in the drug-trade he was very interested and then subsequently getting involved in the drug-trade. I conclude that financial stability and income-class is a big theme, in which everyone aspires to be "rich". 

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"Why We Binge"

"Why We Binge" is an article written by Connor Ferugson, on The Rumpus, that introduces what television show "bingeing" is and why it is completely normal to watch a full television series in a day. Ferguson begins his article with, "You should stop pretending you don’t binge-watch TV Shows..." and makes a bold statement that everybody binges [TV shows]. I can honestly say that I have never "binged" a TV show (probably because I do not use Netflix), but I do understand his proclamation. 

In his article, Ferguson suggest that most television series and episodes are readily accessible on the internet (Hulu and Netflix). This means that there is no reason to watch the shows at an appointed time or even be forced to watch commercials. This new method of watching television provokes audience to stream episode after episode, instead of anticipating an episode each week. To prove his argument, he throws in a statistic that the average Netflix subscriber streams 87 minutes of video a day. That is approximately four episodes of 30 minute shows at a time. 

Ferguson describes "TV bingeing" as an escape from reality and a way to cope with real-world problems. He also gives an example of his own experience, about him being lonely while studying abroad in Madrid and binge TV shows to keep him happy. Ferguson say's, "for whatever reason I felt insecure and a little vulnerable walking down the streets of Madrid ... Whenever I watched an episode [of Six Feet Under], I didn't have to feel self-conscious or unsure of myself, and yet it didn't feel lonely, either." What I take from Ferguson's article is that his premise is TV bingeing is a normal way for people to be "apart" of something and escape their world. 

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Pop Culture Examples

"The app, Kim Kardashian Hollywood, was a huge game launched by Kim Kardashian (whom is almost the epitome of pop culture)".

"The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been attempted by many celebrities, which has influenced people to join and support."

"Miley Cyrus' performance at the 2013 VMAs (Which is a pop culture fest) was highly criticized but keep people talking for months."

"Forget Youtube, Vine is the new source for viral videos (even though they're only 6 seconds). The Vine app is full of comedy sketches by regular people, but has made many famous."

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About Me

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What is Pop Culture?

What does this term mean? In my opinion. Pop Culture is a category of news and currents events based on trends and celebrity figures who influence the culture. It is fun and full of sensational trends that are shown through celebrities, gossip magazines, television and now... social media.

Pop Culture is very important, especially in today's society. It allows consumers to find common ground and knowledge of what is happening socially. It offers trends that keep the world cycling and topics that keeps conversations going.