Selected Quote and Its Significance
Quote: “Cultural consumption is not a substitute for political action: reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to an album won’t change the world. But it might change how you understand the world, and that’s a start” (St James, 2021).
This passage struck me for its blunt honesty and reminder of the need for active participation in issues. The author emphasizes that while pop culture can help create awareness and understanding about social issues such as racism or transphobia, these alone aren’t enough to bring about change. It’s a call to action, a reminder that real change requires active participation and not just passive consumption.
Connections to Pop Culture: Themes and Parallels
This reminds me of the movie The Hate U Give, in which the protagonist, Starr Carter, grapples with the racial complexities of her world after witnessing a police shooting. The movie, like the books and lists mentioned in the article, raises awareness and understanding of systemic racism among its audience. However, it doesn’t stop there—it also encourages viewers to speak up and act against injustice, just as Starr does.
Connections to Course
The passage also connects to my sociology class, where we discussed how media can shape public perception of social issues. We learned that media alone cannot solve societal problems – it’s a tool, not a solution. Similar to what the passage implies, to effect change, individuals must take what they learn and use it to inform their actions. This could involve participating in protests, signing petitions, advocating for policy changes, or educating others.
The underlying theme of both the movie and the class aligns with the passage: awareness and understanding are crucial first steps, but real change requires action. This is significant as it challenges us to move beyond passive consumption and into active participation in the issues we care about.
Reference
St James, E. (2021). Pop culture “best of” and “anti” lists are not activism. Vox. Web.