What has been pop culture’s role in promoting social justice? Give specific examples.
Share one unique example (that has not been mentioned in the unit or by classmates) or how pop culture has promoted social justice, awareness of an issue, or has had a role in influencing public opinion to promote equality, justice, acceptance or tolerance.
In your opinion, do people with a large pop culture following have an ethical responsibility to promote positive messages in their work?
Pop culture’s role in promoting social justice
Full Answer Section
- The #MeToo movement: In the 2010s, the #MeToo movement exploded on social media, and popular culture played a role in raising awareness of sexual harassment and assault. For example, the movie "The Silence of the Lambs" helped to expose the issue of sexual violence, and the song "#MeToo" by Tarana Burke helped to galvanize the movement.
- The movie "Hidden Figures": This movie tells the story of three African American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the Space Race. The movie helped to raise awareness of the contributions of African Americans to the Space Race and to promote diversity in STEM fields.
Sample Answer
Pop culture has played a significant role in promoting social justice throughout history. Here are a few examples:
- The civil rights movement: In the 1950s and 1960s, many popular songs and movies helped to raise awareness of the civil rights movement and to promote equality for African Americans. For example, the song "We Shall Overcome" became an anthem for the movement, and the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird" helped to expose the racism of the Jim Crow South.
- The LGBTQ+ rights movement: In the 1970s and 1980s, popular culture helped to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and to promote acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. For example, the song "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga became a rallying cry for the movement, and the movie "Philadelphia" helped to challenge the stigma of AIDS.