POST 1: INITIAL RESPONSE
To complete the discussion, you will craft an initial post that utilizes at least one referenced academic source (cited and listed as a reference in APA format) and reply to two other posts (i.e., craft two peer responses, reply to your instructor’s follow-up, etc.).
Address the following in at least 200 words (6–8 sentences/1–2 paragraphs) minimum:
Topic: Revolution Through Music or Film
Cultural revolutions lead to changes in beliefs, actions, and how people see the world. Part of how you see the world is informed by the creative expressions you are exposed to. Creative expressions can be a reaction to revolutions in culture, and they can simultaneously seem to change the culture as well.
In reading about the brutal Cultural Revolution in Mao’s China, how 50 million people starved as a result of Mao’s policies, and the long-term effects of the 40 years of the one-child policy, historical context can give us more sympathy and understanding for people who live under such government systems.
Identify and explain two cultural elements from the chapters about China that were new or interesting for you. Why did these ideas stand out? How might understanding these cultural influences inform your view and expand your perspective?
Introduce one musician, book, television series, or film that you believe caused a cultural revolution. Assume that your classmates are not familiar with your selection, so introduce it in detail and explain the style and themes.
What is your selection? Explain the revolutionary impact of your selection. What made this creative expression in music or film particularly transformational?
Why can music, books, shows, or films have a revolutionary impact on the listener or viewer? What might contribute to this connection and change?
POSTS 2 AND 3: REPLY TO AT LEAST TWO OTHERS
After you complete your initial response, respond to at least two others during the unit week, including your classmates or instructor. Each response to others should be about 150 words (4–6 sentences minimum) and contain the following elements:
Relevant, on-topic, evidence-based viewpoints in response to your classmate’s or instructor’s post.
Questions or additional information that enhances and furthers the discussion.
Share your perspectives on topics connected to the unit.
If needed, include citations and references for peer responses.
Preston Jones posted Aug 22, 2024 4:44 PM
In learning about China’s Cultural Revolution, I found two aspects particularly notable. The first was the cultural propaganda that came out of the movement: poems, plays, and paintings were all put to use, instilling communism in the populace. As we advance, culture will be at the forefront of the revolution. The second aspect was the social engineering that accompanied the Cultural Revolution and carried it over into modern times: The authors of this revolution didn’t just want to change people’s ideas—they wanted fundamentally to change society and all its workings. Their most famous “op” in that account was the one-child policy. Both series of shots had alarming results for a long while, and this effect is still present today.
One of the creative expressions instigating a cultural revolution is the film “The Matrix,” directed by the Wachowskis in 1999. It brought a visual beauty to the science fiction genre, depicting a dark, dystopian world where humans inhabit an artificial existence generated by machines. More than that, “The Matrix” … filled with themes deeply relevant in today’s world—such as the questioning of reality and the power of choice, as well as a profound rumination on the nature of freedom—that genre classic got people talking and thinking. And then, of course, “The Matrix” got people oohing and aahing over its mind-boggling “bullet time” special effects and high-octane action sequences, which set a new standard in the industry and provided a true cultural moment.
The forms of expression that affect people most deeply are the ones that resonate with them on an emotional level—music, literature, theater, and film can and do have a revolutionary impact for this very reason. They are transcendental forces of expression because they capture and encapsulate the repressed energies, aspirations, and anxieties that exist at any given moment within society. Indeed, such expression is a reflection of society itself—an encapsulation of its collective experiences and concerns. And this is precisely why such a revolutionary impact is not only possible with these forms of creative expression but also highly likely.
References:
Wachowski, L., & Wachowski, L. (Directors). (1999). The Matrix [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
Gannon, M. J., & Pillai, R. (2015). Understanding Global Cultures (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/books/9781483340050
Liz Moodispaugh posted Aug 21, 2024 5:35 PM
Hello class! I hope everyone is having a great day.
One cultural element that I found interesting was the emphasis they put on family honor, specifically when it comes to religion. Often, if you were to go to a Buddhist temple you would expect to see the typical statue of a Buddha, a fat bald guy usually sitting in robes. Instead, in China you will often see statues of past ancestors sitting alongside the Buddha so that the Chinese people can honor both. According to “Understanding Global Cultures” by Gannon and Pillai, “The position of honor that these warriors have in the temple is but one demonstration of the importance that the Chinese place on the family and kinship group, even to the extent of allowing them to be situated alongside the images of Buddha” (Gannon + Pillai 2015). This idea stood out to me because I was surprised that they would see their ancestors as almost equal to a God that they worship. Understanding these cultural influences informs my view and expands my perspective by allowing me to see how important family, past and present, is to Chinese culture and maybe it should be something that can be important in my own culture as well.
Another cultural element that I found interesting was how much the Chinese will often look to the future. According to “Understanding Global Cultures” by Gannon and Pillai, “Unlike U.S. Americans, most of whom feel that a long-term plan involves looking ahead 3 to 5 years, the Chinese tend to be comfortable with plans that are expressed in 10-, 20-, and even 100-year increments. This makes sense with their dynasties often lasting hundreds of years each. Also, with looking ahead that far into the future comes deferred gratification that the Chinese also practice. This idea stood out to me because it is so different from what I am used to in my culture with the future being looked at usually as five years from now. People often ask me what my five year plan is. Understanding these cultural influences informs my view and expands my perspective by allowing me to consider thinking in a different way and maybe even creating my own twenty year plan.
One musician, specifically one song that I believed caused a cultural revolution was “F### the Police” by N.W.A. This is a protest song written in 1988 about the racism black men often receive from police officers everywhere. Once when the group performed the song in 1989, the police tried to rush the stage but were met by the security guards. While I do not think this song had an immediate revolutionary impact, I do believe this song opened up a lot of eyes to the systematic racism that occurs especially with cops, and is often a song used in more recent protests. It was particularly transformatinational because of the anger behind the song as well as the fact that even though they were celebrities, they were still being harassed.
Music, books, shows, or films can have a revolutionary impact on the listener or viewers because it puts our real lives on the screens or radios and gives us something relatable to spark the revolution that is inside us all. Contributions to this connection and change can depend on the era it came out, how popular the piece becomes, and how large the reaction is.
Thank you!
Liz Moodispaugh
References:
Gannon, M. J., & Pillai, R. (2015). Understanding Global Cultures (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/books/9781483340050