A Postmodern Make-Over

A Postmodern Make-Over Jeff Malan July 24, 2011

A Postmodern Make-Over A Postmodern Make-Over Americans have become disconnected as a society from the dynamic events and transformations of the postmodern era. Assertive and passionate efforts would force changes from established norms in Americans perceptions and practice. Whether such changes are positive or negative, remain in the eye of the beholder. Nevertheless, the fact that social, economic, literary, political, and religious facets have all been altered remains uncontested. In Unit One, life for postmodern Americans was a combination of a revolutionary

communal gathering medium, geographical relocation and cultural regrouping, and an escalating rate of consumerism and materialism. These are dynamic departures from the traditional cultural norms of hard work, saving money, and prudent consumption. One cultural issue Americans faced, was a conflicting lifestyle from the generation who raised them. The prime example of this lifestyle swing was being hailed as the Me Decade of the 1980s. Americans felt compelled to live outside of their means, re-characterizing the definition of consumerism. As Juliet Schor affirms; The size of houses has doubled in less than fifty years, there are more second homes, automobiles have become increasingly optionpacked, middle-income Americans are doing more pleasure and vacation travel, and expenditures on recreation have more than doubled since 1980 (Schor, 1998). Many facets of this trend are currently apparent to this writer, in todays society. The common-thread appears to be the need for acceptance. This need for acknowledgment was so pervasive, that it had taken on a life of its own. Beginning with adults of varying ages, their hunger for more and better went far beyond keeping-up with the Jones. It had filtered down to their children. The more memorable younger groups had derived their efforts of individuality from movies and music. In a 2010 article, the

A Postmodern Make-Over

Powerhouse Museums study, Personal and Social Identity, concluded that; The 80s saw a burst of subcultures, with clothing, music and venue the distinctive badges of the different urban tribes (Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, 2010). They had become the most faithful followers of the church of the mall. Exactly where their parents had worshipped their retail gods. As Delay, Heyrmam, Lytle, and Stoff (2008) illustrate; With their soaring atriums, lavish food courts, and splashing fountains, malls became the cathedrals of American material culture (p. 928). In response to that issue, Americans chose to embrace the appetite for acknowledgment from their preferred cultural or other groups. Everyone had made regular visits to these centers of cultural indulgence. Even minority classes had been drawn-into the materialistic world of convenience. Many of these groups had done so with various opportunistic motives of their own. For the lower-income and immigrant classes, it was a matter of regrouping to areas, which would fill the growing vacuum of residences closer to city-centers. In a report for the Association of American Geographers, Dear and Flusty (1998), convey that: the Central Business District (CBD), which was surrounded by a transitional zone was the principal area to which new immigrants were attracted, and it included areas of vice and generally unstable or mobile social groups. The transitional zone was succeeded by a zone of working-men's homes, which included some of the oldest residential buildings in the city and stable social groups. ( p. 51) The outcome of this shift has not changed a great deal since that time, in the opinion of this author. Many malls have remained unchanged in the idea of centralized retail access for the masses. Moreover, Americans remain solidly engaged in consumerism, by seeking identifiable brands of clothing, seeking extravagant vehicles to drive, and obtaining homes adorned with the latest electronics and dcor, all in an effort to impress. Two things that have impacted the

A Postmodern Make-Over atmosphere of acceptance is a more hands-off approach to purchases and interpersonal communication, largely due to technology with regards to both. In Unit Two, economic life for the postmodern American went from disparity to prosperity, within the two decades of the 1970s and 1980s. This writer recalls both highs and lows his father had experienced as an independent building contractor during both decades.

Being that his work was directly tied directly to the current economic conditions, it had begun as a very confusing period. However, being resourceful and enterprising as he was, he partnered with a funeral director in a successful short-term venture on the side, aligned as a facet, or option, of the recession-proof funeral industry. This had carried him through, well into the 1980s, after President Reagans economic endeavors were realized. One economic issue Americans faced, began with the systemic consequences regarding the downturn of the value in the U.S. Dollar. Davidson et al. (2008), recounts that; Throughout the 1970s wages stagnated, unemployment rose, and so did inflation, spurred upward by rising energy costs, falling industrial productivity, and foreign competition (p. 935). President Jimmy Carter had alarmed Americans by his stunning and controversial announcement of an energy crisis, caused enormous lines at the gas pump, almost immeadiately. Americans were looking for releif. In response to those issues Americans chose to take up their constitutional right to vote, and replaced their executive leader. Enter President Ronald Reagan, who had a bold approach to solving the economic issues that had faced his constituants as he took office, and for a substantial number of years beforehand. Professor Steven Mintz (2007), explaines that: Reagan blamed the nation's economic ills on declining capital investment and a tax structure biased against work and productive investment. To stimulate economy, he persuaded Congress to slash tax rates. In 1981, he pushed a through Congress cutting taxes 5 percent in 1981 and 10 percent in 1982

the bill

A Postmodern Make-Over and percent, while 1983. In 1986, the administration pushed through another tax bill, which substantially reduced tax rates of the wealthiest Americans to 28 closing a variety of tax loopholes. (. 2)

The outcome of Reaganomics was that of elation of a vast number of American taxpayers. Many, including union workers, had been put-off by his sweeping fiscal changes. However, they had departed on an emerging economic voyage, and in a manner which most had hoped for. In Unit Three, the literary impact on life for postmodern Americans was, to this writers assessment, a look in the mirror. More specifically, it appeared to be a sundry of unique writing, which caused this societys self-examination. University of Groningens Kathryn VanSpanckeren (2010), points out Realism, abandoned by experimental writers in the 1960s, also crept back, often mingled with bold original elements a daring structure like a novel within a novel (, 2). Many encompassed previous or current cultural and societal topics. Best sellers of these types included: The Mosquito Coast (1982), The Color Purple (1982), The Woman Warrior (1976), The joy Luck Club (1989), and Bright Lights, Big City (1983). One literary issue, which faced Americans, was an explosion of books surrounding the feminist movement. The mission of the feminist movement, as Sally Haslanger and Nancy Tuana describe, is motivated by the quest for social justice, feminist inquiry provides a wide range of perspectives on social, cultural, economic, and political phenomena (Haslanger & Tuana, 2011, , 1). These influential works included such titles as; Patriarchal Attitudes - Women in Society (1970), Woman's Estate (1971), The Second Sex (1972), The Sociology of Housework (1974), and, Is This Your Life? (1977). These publications energized the feminist movement.

A Postmodern Make-Over Nevertheless, they did not come without controversy.

Feminist literature had ultimately compelled the publics attention and dialog. In response to these emerging issues, Americans chose to face them head-on. Many Americans, fueled by media coverage, widely regarded feminists of the time as radicals and extremists. In a study by Anne McSweeney (2008), recounts the media promoting the idea of feminists as angry, asexual and man-hating, favoring depictions, as one feminist described in 1973, of the young girl shaking her fist and screaming obscenities at an abortion rally or castrating females learning karate (p. 61). Even in an effort to be objective, this writer still has difficulty moving past these images, including the infamous Hanoi Jane coverage. These literary works inspired a fanatic element of those struggling to escape the confines and oppression that they saw themselves suffering. However, as extreme as the entirety of movement may have appeared, the outcome resulted in the transformation in the roles women would choose to take within American society. No longer relegated to being housewives, secretaries, and so on Women now had options. In Unit Four, the attitudes of postmodern Americans toward politics and government went from disenchantment and acrimony, to encouraging and patriotic. This shift occurred within the span of five years. The mind-set of Americans toward their leaders during the 1970s was the primary political issue, which faced both voters and politicians. To understand what this publics attitude was, Chris H. Lewis, Ph.D. describes that; the 1970s as a decade of disillusion, cynicism, bitterness, and anger by examining it in t he context of the aftermath of the Vietnam War and Watergate and the Cold War (Lewis, 2002, . 1). President Jimmy Carter had attempted to encourage Amercans. Although Carters policys were principled and offered a genuine bipartisan approach, they were lackluster, slow-moving, and largely ineffective.

A Postmodern Make-Over In response to those issues, Americans turned their back on Carter. As Lewis recounts: Confronted with a failed Presidency, Americans rejected President Carter in his campaign for re-election in 1980s and elect Ronald Reagan President promised to restore the American Dream and Americans' confidence that work and diligent would pay off in a bright, richer future for themselves children. (Lewis, 2002, para. 23)

He hard and their

The outcome of all of this was a mixed bag. Although, there had been some negatives during his administration, such as the Iran-Contra affair, although there had been some negatives during his administration, such as the Iran-Contra affair, President Reagan made good on majority of his promises, particularly in providing many Americans with a much needed attitude adjustment toward their government. The White House website notes that; the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression (Whitehouse.gov, 2011). In Unit five, religious life for postmodern Americans was nothing short of a polarizing event, separating those who struggled to maintain moral and family values, against others who advanced any combination of progressive, liberal, and self-indulgent ideals. Since the 1960s, a virtual exodus of individuals began scattering away from traditional organized theology. Davidson et al (2008), maintains that: Despite the efforts of religious conservatives popular culture continued to reflect the trends of the 1960s, when sex and violence became standard fare, tolerance for alternative lifestyles grew, and diversity became a extending affirmative action to women and minorities. (p. 928)

media rationale for

One religious issue Americans faced was the role of religion, or lack-of, within government. Notwithstanding the theoretical connotations utilized by Presidents Carter and

A Postmodern Make-Over Reagan, two notable issues were decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, which have been the subject of controversy ever since. These rulings are reported by Professor Jose Vadi (1998), as:

Engel v. Vitale, 1962, Prohibits recital even of a non-denominational prayer written by public school officials Roe v. Wade, 1973, right to privacy (4th amendment), woman has right to abortion up to 2nd trimester. 1st trimester: no government or state interference; 2nd trimester: state may interfere to protect health of mother; 3rd trimester: state may regulate to protect health of unborn child. ( 2) These cases sent shockwaves throughout religious America. This writer recalls his

mothers comments, as she said repeatedly; our country is going to hell in a hand-basket, and how ironic it is, that those who oppose capital punishment are quick to kill helpless unborn babies. Many people were in an uproar on both sides of these issues. In response, many Americans have chosen to continue maintain their positions, and protest each others activities. The outcome has been much of the same. Old adversarial groups are still squaring-off at various venues. However, others have largely become jaded over these topics. In her article, Karen OConnor (2009), noted; Seeming public disinterest in abortion rights may have many causes, adding that current wars and economic factors have forced the issue to take a back-seat ( 3). It would not be a stretch to apply these same factors coming before promoting prayer in schools as well. Organized religion continues to hold-on to core values and beliefs, while others continue their quest for expansion of individual freedoms and rights in America. Numerous views of right and wrong have plagued the human race, since the practice of Paganism. In an article, Paul Connelly (1994), reports that; Some academic postmodernists (such as the well-publicized deconstructionists) embrace what we can think of as a "relativistic" postmodernism, in which each person is an isolated interpreter of a reality with no intrinsic meaning or spiritual life ( 11).

A Postmodern Make-Over The age of activism in the postmodern world, has effectively changed the landscape of conviction and faith, by promoting objectivity and self-interpretation of right and wrong. Ever since, there has no longer been a common thread of belief to tie Americans together.

In conclusion, the Postmodern Era was pivotal in redirecting the course of American life. In the areas of society and culture, economics, literature, politics, and religious or other beliefs, the research has proven a patent transformation in American existence, as well as the global community. In retrospect, whether for better or worse, Americans have undoubtedly experienced a Postmodern Make-Over.

A Postmodern Make-Over References

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Connelly, P. (1994). Toward a Postmodern Paganism. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Darc.org: http://www.darc.org/connelly/pagan1.html Davidson, J. W., Delay, B., Heyrmam, C. L., Lytle, M. H., & Stoff, M. B. (2008). Nation of Nations. Boston: McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. Dear, M., & Flusty, S. (1998). Annals of the Association of American Geographers. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from JSTOR.org: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2563976 Haslanger, S., & Tuana, N. (2011, April 19). Topics in Feminism. Retrieved July 21, 2011, from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy : http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminismtopics/#Bib Lewis, C. H. (2002, August). What are some of the major problems facing America in the 1970s and 1980s? Retrieved July 21, 2011, from University of Colorado at Boulder: http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/2010/anxiety.htm McSweeney, A. (2008, April). Hijacking the Movement. Retrieved July 20, 2011, from Wesleyan.edu: http://wesscholar.wesleyan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=1163&context=etd_hon_thes es&sei-redir=1#search=%22controversy%20feminism %201970s%22 Mintz, S. (2007). The Past Three Decades: Years of Crisis - Years of Triumph. Retrieved July 20, 2011, from Digital History: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=406 Schor, J. (1998). Th overspent American. Retrieved July 19, 2011, from Northern Illinois Universtity: http://www3.niu.edu/~td0raf1/history468/apr0911.htm

A Postmodern Make-Over Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. (2010). Society and Culture (Stage 6)

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Preliminary Depth Study: Personal and Social IdentityEXHIBITION. Retrieved july 17, 2011, from www.powerhousemuseum.com: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/pdf/education/80s/s%26c_personal%26social_ident ity.pdf Vadi, J. (2005, January 30). Chapter 4- Civil Liberties. Retrieved July 23, 2011, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona: http://www.csupomona.edu/~jmvadi/201/civil%20liberties%20&%20civil%20rights.htm VanSpanckeren, K. (2010, September 14). American Prose Since 1945: Realism and Experimentation: The 1970s and 1980s: new directions. Retrieved July 20, 2011, from An Outline of American Literature: http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/lit/ch8_p5.htm Whitehouse.gov. (2011). Ronald Reagan . Retrieved July 22, 2011, from whitehouse.gov: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/ronaldreagan