See this article in the Guardian, arguing that English-language music no longer reigns supreme.
See this article in The Guardian on the “TikTok tourism” trend and why many don’t like it: “TikTok food tourists leave a bitter taste in Amsterdam.” Also see “The world’s most perfect places are being turned into backdrops for tourist selfies” and “Dutch fence off tulip fields to stop selfie takers from crushing flowers.”
Vanity Fair magazine claims that “we’ve reached peak girl”. An eons-long Barbie promotional extravaganza ties up our latest nostalgia craze in a perfect bow. But what’s behind this particular fixation on girlhood?
On the “momfluencer” trend, see this article “For modern mothers, the toxic pull of ‘momfluencers’ feels inescapable.”
Cultural globalization is a controversial topic. Some critics claim it amounts to “imperialism” due to the domination of Western media and culture. Others argue that cultural globalization is good for the world because it forges common values. What is your opinion?
For a negative view, this article in the New York Times, “Champs-Élysées, global shopping mall“. For a more positive interpretation, see this point of view by Mario Vargas Llossa, “The Culture of Liberty“. Finally, on the impact of television services like Netflix on global culture, see “Netflix is the most intoxicating portal to planet earth.”
Amalia Ulman fooled the world with Instagram posts of her enviable life — and collected a huge fan base of followers. Ulman was, in fact, an artist using carefully stylized Instagram images as a commentary on selfie culture and the construction of femininity. For Ulman, her Instagram photos were “performance” art.
See this article about Ulman: “Is this the first Instagram masterpiece?” and also “Amalia Ulman’s Instagram performance exposed the flaws in selfie culture“.
Ulman photos became part of an exhibition at the Tate Modern in London. See here, “Tate Modern Taps Amalia Ulman for New Show.”
Fashion retailer Zara triggered controversy in China about beauty by showing a model with freckles. See this article, “Zara campaign sparks heated debate over freckles and beauty in China.” See also “Zara advert gets China asking, are freckles beautiful?”
Blackface has a long history, in America and Europe, but it has been embroiled in controversy recently after celebrities and brands — including Katy Perry and Gucci — have been accused of racism. Katy Perry released a shoe range accused of blackface stereotyping, and Gucci marketed a balaclava accused of racism for the same reasons.
On Katy Perry, see this story, “Katy Perry saddened by blackface claims about her shoe range“. On Gucci, see “Gucci apologizes for controversy blackface sweater”. The film Mary Poppins was also accused of racial stereotyping. See this story in the New York Times: “Mary Poppins, a nanny’s shameful flirting with blackface.”
In politics, the governor of Virginia has been embroiled in a blackface controversy based on photos in his college yearbook. See this story: “Virginia governor apologizes for racist and offensive yearbook costume but refuses to resign.” In the Netherlands, the Christmas character “Black Pete” is based on blackface. See this article, “Who is the ‘racist” Christmas character sparking clashes in the Netherlands?”
On the history of blackface, see this article, “Why Blackface?” Finally, see, “Blackface isn’t just about racism in America’s past, it’s about racism in America’s present”.
Some observers note that, for women on social media, strong has become the new skinny for ideal body image. See this article, “Strong is the new skinny isn’t as empowering as it sounds“, and also “The ideal female body type is getting even harder to attain“.
Intro to Media and Communications 