Pop Culture and Me Part 2

Sample Student 1

AMST 300

Dr. Kristin Rowe

Due Date Month Year

Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton, and Gender Identity

As I contemplate the social constructs of other women and even my own identity I am

reminded of the many forms of oppression women have had to face in many ways, some are so

subtle that they are engrained in our daily lives and we do not even recognize them. Thankfully,

today there are many iconic and influential people and stories that combat this oppressive

behavior. One story in particular was very impactful to the formation of my identity as a woman

which is the movie Soul Surfer about a professional surfer named Bethany Hamilton who, as a

teenager, had a natural talent for surfing and lost her arm in a shark attack. Many would think

that her career in surfing was over however Bethany refused to give up, found ways to

accomplish her goals despite her missing arm, continued to compete and began to make a

difference in the lives of many people, especially young women. This story is a positive

influence and contradicts many of the social constructs that are hurtful to many young women’s

identity development and their lives. Through its main character Bethany Hamilton, the movie

Soul Surfer taught me that women can be strong, independent, and capable of greatness despite

the many social constructs that suppress them.

Women and girls are often taught that outer beauty is the most important thing, but

Bethany’s life proves that inner beauty shines brighter. For years it has been engrained into

society that women want beauty and men want women who possess it as well as without it they

are doomed to loneliness and are good for nothing. These beliefs are otherwise known as beauty

myths which is the theory articulated by Naomi Wolf “to discuss the way that the beauty industry

and image culture of contemporary US society has used the concept of women’s beauty as a

means of control… Wolf argues [that] the beauty myth is always actually prescribing behavior

and not appearance… [and that it] becomes more powerful in times when economic and political

freedoms are more liberal toward women, and serve as a “checkmate” on women’s

empowerment” (Brandt & Clare, 2018, p. 147). This supports the argument that Soul Surfer is a

positive influence on women’s identities because Bethany does not let the fact that she lost her

arm bring her down or make her feel useless. She focuses on her persistent and strong behavior

instead of her outer appearance and in turn empowered many women through her determination,

especially those who do not conform to the very specific criteria that society puts on beauty.

Moreover, Bethany was well known before her shark attack for being a skilled woman surfer

who possessed this beauty. However, she became known worldwide after she lost her arm when

people saw her behavior, she focused on reaching her goals, finding her identity, and helping

others which allowed her to shine brighter than ever before. Therefore, Soul Surfer has

encouraged me to focus on my inner beauty, my identity, to have courage when I face

difficulties, believe in myself, and to not be afraid of trying and accomplishing the seemingly

impossible.

There is a belief that many women have engrained in them by social constructs that if

they do not possess beauty than their world will be permanently damaged however, Bethany

contradicts this. This war with beauty that is waged within women can keep them occupied and

distracted from worrying about their goals and aspirations. For example, according to the

philosopher Plato, “beauty was “eternal” and “permanent.” Our culture promises us the opposite.

Beauty is imagined to be fleeting, something that we must cling to with all our might because at

any moment it can be stolen from us” (Weiss, 2003, P. 14). If women have this mindset, they can

harm themselves by holding their selves back from reaching their full potential. Moreover, if

Bethany was too focused on her missing arm and the negative connotations that could come with

it, she might not have picked up her surf board or learned how to surf with one arm and compete

against professionals again. In relation to this, as a teenager I did not know what my identity was

because I only worried about the way I looked, what I wore, and always compared myself to

girls who I believed were more beautiful than me. However, Bethany’s behavior towards her

situations encouraged me to worry about more important aspects of my life such as: hobbies I

enjoy, what my beliefs and morals were, as well as my aspirations and goals in life. It is time for

society to see the beauty that a human being holds within themselves rather than their outer

appearance and this could begin with empowering women to put developing their identities first

before vigilantly fighting against declining beauty.

More and more women are being depicted in films and it is important for society to

provide viewers with positive influences, like Bethany Hamilton, for women. Bethany is a

professional surfer with a missing arm and still wins competitions against many professional

male surfers. Her example influences individuals to be tough, strong, and persistent because

“toughness is frequently associated with women and girls who participate in sports typically

dominated by men” (Inness, 1999, p. 177). This is important because surfing is a male dominated

sport and for Bethany to not only be a woman but also a shark attack survivor gives her the

power to influence many young women positively. Furthermore, society is still very dominated

by men and even if a woman is not an athlete, it is an important message and influence on the

development of a young girl to become independent and to not be afraid to compete with men.

Personally for me, I grew up in a male dominated house hold, very self-conscious, and found

myself unable to think for myself until I watched this movie and decided for myself to make a

change and take control of my life.

For a long time women were often taught through many forms of media to find their

worth in appealing to what they think men want; however, Bethany Hamilton focused on

overcoming her challenges, reaching her goals, becoming the person she wants to be and

eventually met a man that shares in her same interests and supports her individuality. There are

many forms of media that can help or harm individuals’ identity development and Soul Surfer is

a movie that had a positive influence on my life as well as many other individuals. Furthermore,

the authors of the Hays Code, which set moral guidelines for film plots and representations,

wrote that “Mankind has always recognized the importance of entertainment and its value in

rebuilding the bodies and soul of human beings but it has always recognized that entertainment

can be a character either HELPFUL or HARMFUL to the human race, and in consequence has

clearly distinguished between: a. Entertainment which tends to improve the race… and b.

Entertainment which tends to degrade human beings, or to lower their standards of life and

living” (Zeisler, 2008, p. 29). This is important because entertainment such as movies and

television shows have a huge influence on many individuals but mostly on the youth and if the

plot does not contain an appropriate message it can negatively affect the identity development of

these individuals. For example, a television show representing a woman who is wealthy because

of her husband and has a beautiful outer appearance may affect the self-esteem of girls and

women and they may strive to become unrealistically beautiful. Contrary to this, in the movie

Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton’s life story teaches individuals of endurance, courage,

perseverance, hope, and helping others. Furthermore, Bethany is sure of what she wants and

never gives up, she makes her own decisions which teaches young women, like myself when I

first watched the movie, to think for themselves, be independent, and to not give up when

situations seem difficult.

I think that part of the reason Soul Surfer has become a classic and inspirational film is

because it forces us to contemplate the complexity of constructions of gender and womanhood.

With so many negative influences through media that tell society what the roles of a male and

female are, it is important to have more inspirational movies and role models such as Bethany

Hamilton to portray what women can be. The possibilities that this movie provides of what a

woman can be are tough, successful, and beautiful, whether they have a physical impairment or

not and that with persistence, perseverance, and belief in oneself, they can accomplish greatness.

Moreover, it is imperative for women to focus on their inner beauty in order for society to open

their mind to what women can accomplish and it can create greater opportunities for them. I am

grateful for this movie because it helped shape who I am today and taught me to battle against

the social constructs that tell me how a woman should be.

Work Cited

Brandt, J., & Clare, C. E. (2018). An introduction to popular culture in the US: People, politics,

and power. Bloomsbury.

Inness, S. A. (1999). Tough girls: Women warriors and wonder women in popular culture.

University of Pennsylvania Press.

Weiss, S. I. (2003). Coping with the beauty myth: A guide for real girls. Rosen Pub. Group.

Zeisler, A. (2008). Feminism and pop culture. Seal Press.

Sample Student 2

Dr. Kristin Rowe

AMST 300

Due Date Month Year

The Fandom Surrounding One Direction

In 2010, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik all

auditioned for the British singing competition, The X Factor. During one stage of the show, none

of the boys made it through to the next round. Yet, right as they were about to leave, the judges

called them back as they realized they were too good to let go. So, a decision was made to group

all five boys into a band, thus creating One Direction. While they did not go on to win The X

Factor, they were still able to accumulate a massive amount of fame and success. When their hit

song "What Makes You Beautiful" was released, it was groundbreaking and opened up many

doors for One Direction. One Direction went on to have five studio albums, four world tours,

two of which were stadiums, multiple hit singles, and record-breaking achievements. In January

2016, after five successful years together, One Direction embarked on a hiatus while all the boys

went on to pursue solo careers. What they have accomplished as a band and in their solo careers

solidifies why One Direction has gone on to become one of the biggest boybands in history. One

Direction has made such a significant impact of my life and I owe many of my friendships to the

fandom. The fandom surrounding One Direction demonstrates how members of society can be

brought together through similar interests, how finding a sense of belonging provides a voice to

marginalized groups, and how being a part of a fandom reveals society's double standards.

Fandoms are online communities where individuals drawn to particular popular culture

texts can connect with others who share their interests (Brandt and Clare 215). Fans of One

Direction, also known as "Directioners," are one of the largest fandoms today, even though One

Direction is not currently active as a band. Being a part of this fandom has allowed individuals to

express creativity and connect with the members of the band on a more personal level. One

Direction’s fandom has been known for producing some of the best fan projects, where fans from

all around the world contribute. The best thing about the One Direction fandom is how it is able

to unify members of society that come from different backgrounds. Writer Sage Young

of Bustle said, "Boy band fandom has always been a bonding experience, first and foremost, and

I've foraged and enriched countless friendships while discussing my faves" (Young). Belonging

to a fandom, especially One Direction's, is extremely gratifying for individuals who are

searching for a place to belong in society. One Direction's fandom allows fans to form long-

lasting relationships with one another over their mutual interest in the band. Social media plays a

massive role in this as well since people from all over the world, who come from different

cultures and backgrounds, can connect and form friendships through a shared liking of One

Direction. These online friendships can even develop into in-person relationships where fans

choose to take the friendship beyond the reason of mutual appreciation of the band. While

belonging to a fandom unites people, it is also suitable for one's mental health. According to Dr.

Laurel Steinberg, "Connecting with people over shared passions and interest is good for mental

and emotional health because it helps to create a fraternity-like or family-like sense of security

(Wiest). It can often be hard trying to fit in and find your place in society, but fandoms offer a

great place to start. By joining a fandom like One Direction's, you gain a sense of security,

knowing others share similar interests and views with you pertaining to the band. Essentially,

fandoms offer us comfort in knowing that we can find people in society that share the same ideas

and interests we have, without feeling alone in this world.

While fandoms offer gratifying experiences for individuals who yearn for a place to

belong, they also provide insight into how society treats marginalized groups, particularly

women. Typically, when young women immerse themselves into a fandom like One Direction's,

society tends to ridicule them for becoming so "obsessed." This is because these people look at

fandoms from an exoteric perspective as it can be easy to judge a particular community without

having a significant amount of knowledge, but rather a general observation (Brandt and Clare

213). Despite the gloomy outlook cast onto fandoms by society, elements like fanfictions within

fandoms offer a voice to marginalized groups. Fanfiction refers to stories made by fans that are

based on plot lines and characters from either a single source text or else a "canon" of works

(Bronwen 1). Fundamentally, those writing fanfiction can write about whatever they want, using

pre-existing characters. Fanfictions can even go on to become exceptional pieces of literature.

Anna Todd is a famed Wattpad writer whose fanfiction series After, based on One Direction,

went on to become an actual published work and has now developed into a movie franchise.

Often times, the media tends to exclude certain groups from their narrative, but fanfiction offers

a way to be seen and heard. Elizabeth Minkel explains that "fanfiction gives women and other

marginalized groups the chance to subvert that perspective, to fracture a story and recast it in her

own way" (Grady). This alone is extremely important because it shows how fandom is an

inclusive community that wants to give everyone a voice. In an everyday setting, marginalized

groups are continually being excluded as most of the media is seen from the perspective of the

straight, white male gaze. Yet, fanfiction and fandoms allow people to rewrite the narrative in

any way they desire.

Being a part of a fandom can be incredibly empowering, but it also reveals society's

double standards, specifically, how men and women are treated when it comes to fandoms.

When men obsess over their favorite sports team, it is a "masculine" activity and is expected.

Yet, when women obsess over something like One Direction, it is "unmasculine" and therefore

perceived as "weird" and "gross." I remember when my peers would poke fun at me for being so

invested in One Direction, causing me to feel insecure about it. This double standard often makes

it hard for people to admit they belong to a fandom. The negative connotation that comes from

fandom tends to worry people to the point where they are afraid to seek that sense of belonging.

Essentially, fandom gets looked at as dangerous because what goes on within a fandom are

things society has a hard time accepting. Constance Grady even goes on to say, "Young women

are so attacked for loving the media they love that it is a radical act for a young woman to love

something unashamedly (Grady). Society tries to suppress the empowerment fandoms bring

about out of the fear of what young women have the potential to do.

In all, One Direction's fandom is a compelling thing to be a part of. If I never joined the

One Direction fandom, I would not have many of the friendships that I have today. You can go

from never fitting in, to suddenly having an entire support team composed of people who share

similar interests, all from being a part of a fandom. The relationships created through fandoms

are beautiful because of the foundation that created them, like a mutual interest in One Direction.

Fandoms can bring together people of all cultures and backgrounds into a safe community of

people that all have something in common. For the most part, fandoms are tremendously

empowering by shedding light and offering a voice to marginalized groups. Yet, they also

showcase the double standard in society with how men and women are perceived regarding

fandom. In the end, fandoms show how not only is society scared of young women, but a

collective of powerful women that share the same mindset.

Works Cited

Brandt, Jenn, and Callie Elizabeth. Clare. An Introduction to Popular Culture in the US: People,

Politics, and Power. Bloomsbury, 2018.

Bronwen Thomas. “What Is Fanfiction and Why Are People Saying Such Nice Things About

It??” Storyworlds: A Journal of Narrative Studies, vol. 3, 2011, pp. 1–24. JSTOR,

www.jstor.org/stable/10.5250/storyworlds.3.2011.0001. Accessed 10 Dec. 2020.

Grady, Constance. “Why We're Terrified of Fanfiction.” Vox, Vox, 2 June 2016,

www.vox.com/2016/6/2/11531406/why-were-terrified-fanfiction-teen-girls.

Wiest, Brianna. “Psychologists Say That Belonging To a Fandom Is Amazing For Your Mental

Health.” Teen Vogue, Teen Vogue, 20 July 2017,

www.teenvogue.com/story/psychologists-say-fandoms-are-amazing-for-your-mental-

health.

Young, Sage. “My One Direction Fandom Is Stronger Than Ever - Even Though I'm 35.” Bustle,

Bustle, 19 Nov. 2018, www.bustle.com/p/my-one-direction-fandom-is-stronger-than-ever-

even-though-im-35-13160060.

Sample Student 3

Professor Rowe

AMST 300-02

Due Date Month Year

Zootopia and the American Dream

Zootopia is a recent movie created by Disney and it incorporates several aspects that

make up the American Dream. The movie revolves around a bunny named Judy Hopps and tells

the story of how she had a dream of becoming a police officer and eventually makes it a reality.

Throughout the movie, there are several moments and situations that are meant to teach people to

believe in themselves and never shy away from helping others. Regarding the American Dream,

it is a unique concept especially since it can mean different things for many people. For example,

some people might consider the American Dream to be owning a car, a nice house, and having a

family, while for other people, it can mean having a steady job and being able to live a

comfortable life. By watching the movie Zootopia, I learned about some of the aspects that make

up the American Dream including never giving up on your dreams, being the first to do

something, being anything you want to be, and helping others.

The first topic that relates Zootopia to the American Dream is the mindset of never giving

up on your dreams. When discussing what the American Dream could be, Brandt and Clare

propose “Maybe it is the continued belief that if one works hard enough, no matter where they

came from or the obstacles in their way, they too can achieve greatness” (28). Some of the

beliefs that are involved in the American Dream include hard work and dedication, which when

combined, ultimately lead to individuals becoming successful. In Zootopia, Judy had to

overcome numerous obstacles that were in her way of fulfilling her dream of becoming a police

officer including bullies, rude animals, and a stern police chief. James Truslow Adams was the

man who coined the term “The American Dream” and he believed it “encapsulated existing

values of hard work, upward mobility, and individualism...” (Sender). Almost everyone Judy

met, including her own parents, were skeptical about Judy wanting to become a police officer

because no one had ever heard of a bunny doing such a thing before. However, Judy was

determined to prove them all wrong and after graduating from the police academy at the top of

her class, she went on to successfully solve the biggest case in the city of Zootopia.

Secondly, the opportunity of being the first to do something and leaving home will be

discussed. Among the various elements that make up the American Dream, “The rags-to-riches

story has become the central element in the American Dream ideology” (Cannon and Vanneman

266). Most, if not all parents want what is best for their children which is why Judy’s parents

started to believe in her more and supported her decision to leave home and move to the city so

she could start her own life and make a name for herself. Similar to Judy’s situation, I think

people who leave home and go off to college can relate to this belief in social mobility, since the

reason they are going to school in the first place is to get a degree which will help them achieve a

good paying job and eventually obtain a higher place in society than their parents did. Something

that is hard to deny about the American Dream is “Whether we acknowledge it or not, this

common narrative arc of overcoming difficulties and working hard to achieve one’s dreams in

order to become successful… constantly surrounds us” (Brandt and Clare 29). Zootopia

references this narrative arc after Judy leaves home and begins working in the city where she

strives to prove to her doubters that she is more than what she appears and is capable of making

her dreams come true. Because Judy was also the first one in her family to leave home, she

demonstrated how she was not afraid to face new challenges head on and elevate her status in

society by becoming a police officer, rather than choosing to follow the family tradition of being

farmers.

Next, the ability for people to be anything they want to be is another theme shared by

Zootopia and the American Dream. According to Brandt and Clare, “As more people earn

college degrees, it is increasingly common for people to find it helpful to continue their

education beyond the standard four-year bachelor’s degree and pursue advanced professional or

graduate degrees” (42). Much like how most Americans view college as something that will

improve their way of life, most of the animals in Zootopia view the city as a place where

individuals can make something of themselves and achieve a better life. Besides the example of

Judy wanting to become a police officer, there is another character named Nick Wilde, a fox who

in the beginning of the movie acts crafty and deals in a shady business, but eventually joins the

police department and becomes Judy’s partner on the force. Considering the similarities between

Zootopia and the American Dream, it should come as no surprise that “Americans still have the

world’s highest productivity and standard of living” (Rivlin 5). Zootopia is advertised as the city

of opportunity which becomes true for Judy and Nick, much like how immigrants and minorities

view America and try to make something of themselves. Despite everyone else stereotyping Nick

and seeing him as untrustworthy, Nick proved to them that he could do whatever he set his mind

to and that anyone can be anything.

Lastly, helping others and wanting to make the world a better place are beliefs that can be

addressed in Zootopia and the American Dream. For example, Brandt and Clare talk about what

a mindset is and how “Each of us can have our own mindset, our personal way of seeing the

world. It comes from how we were raised, what we experienced, and how these influences shape

our own individual realities” (43). I believe that most Americans are like Judy and Nick when it

comes to improving the lives of others and wanting to help the world. Especially now in a

worldwide pandemic, most Americans are going out of their way to help their neighbors or even

strangers simply because it is the right thing to do. In addition to these acts of selflessness, “The

founders believed that America’s principles were transformative and would, in time, establish

new norms of governance and commerce for the benefit of humankind” (Lieberman and Kyl 23).

For some people, the American Dream might be less about themselves and more about focusing

on helping those who are less fortunate or just making a positive impact in other people's lives.

This was the case with Judy because ever since she was little, she dreamed of making the world a

better place and made helping those in need one of her top priorities.

Based on everything that was discussed, it is evident that the movie Zootopia and the

American Dream have a lot in common. While Zootopia is considered to be a kids and family

movie, at its core there are several elements that can be applied to the real world. These elements

are based on ideas incorporated in the American Dream and involve never giving up on your

dreams, being the first to do something, being anything you want to be, and helping to make the

world a better place. In my opinion, people can learn a lot about what they are capable of and

what they want to believe in by watching the journeys of Judy and Nick in Zootopia. Ultimately,

I think the American Dream should be considered a positive thing for people to believe in since

it provides goals and desires that incentivize people to make an effort and put in the work in

order to achieve them.

Works Cited

Brandt, Jenn, and Callie Elizabeth. Clare. An Introduction to Popular Culture in the US: People,

Politics, and Power. Bloomsbury, 2018.

LIEBERMAN, JOSEPH, and JON KYL. American Leadership and Principles of Freedom at

Home and Abroad. American Enterprise Institute, 2015, pp. 23–28, Why American

Leadership Still Matters, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep03230.8. Accessed 2 Dec. 2020.

Rivlin, Alice M. “Reviving the American Dream.” The Brookings Review, vol. 10, no. 3, 1992,

pp. 5–5. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20080309. Accessed 2 Dec. 2020.

Sender, K. (Director). (2014). Brand New You [Video file]. Media Education Foundation.

Retrieved December 2, 2020, from Kanopy.

“The American Dream.” The American Perception of Class, by REEVE VANNEMAN and

LYNN WEBER CANNON, Temple University Press, PHILADELPHIA, 1987, pp. 257–

282. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv941wv0.17. Accessed 2 Dec. 2020.