We discussed in class today the concept of symbolic order and how much of this symbolic order we see ourselves in that is represented in popular culture?
We live in a world that is becoming increasingly defined by image, so we cannot underestimate the effects that popular culture has on identity. That is, public discourse, including popular culture, shapes our understanding of what it means to be a man or woman in this society. At times the influence can be overwhelming. It seems that every time I turn on the television or open a magazine there is a new fashion style that is “in” and I need to keep up with. But the always changing trends are something that one can get used to and either choose to accept or ignore. But what is extremely hard to change is an image of yourself you think is represented poorly in popular culture as a result of symbolic order.
The symbolic order in our society creates images that are hard to escape and these images can even lead to unrealistic stereotypes. Most of these images are seen in mainstream television and movies. A common popular culture image that could be a result of symbolic order is the bimbo cheerleader which is seen in countless television shows and movies such as “Bring It On,” “Sugar and Spice,” and “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.” These characters represented by obvious symbols such as high social status, good fashion sense, and lack of knowledge about important issues, result in an altered symbolic order in popular culture. This is very frustrating for cheerleaders/dancers like myself, who then get labeled all of these things as result of this symbolic order. I feel like the more people see this symbolic image of a bimbo cheerleader, the more they have a right validate cheerleaders as having these characteristics. But why are these symbolic characters continually brought up in popular culture? Why do people need to consistently see cheerleaders as possessing these characteristics?
It seems like to me that it is because these stereotypical symbols are what most people are comfortable with. If we all have a common view of a group of people it allows us feel like we know what they are about before we ever really have to get to know them. The problem with this is that these fictional characters and groups seen in the media then become what people expect in reality.
Another reason could be that these symbolic stereotypes are also more entertaining to look at and watch. This remains true when talking about physical attributes of groups represented in popular culture as well. Cheerleaders and dancers are symbolized as being thin and pretty, therefore whenever you do not these physical aspects in a cheerleader, it seems funny and unordinary. Television shows such as “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader,” do a great job at emphasizing this physical symbolism associated with cheerleaders by kicking girls off the squad for being too fat rather then judging them by their dancing and cheering ability. This provides entertaining television but does nothing but reinforce negative stereotypes as a result of symbolic order.
Since the symbols involved in the typical bimbo cheerleader are mostly transcendent, there is hope for a change in their symbolic order. Cheerleaders and Dancers could try to change this symbolic order by proving that they are knowledgeable of important issues and making it apparent that high social status is not what is most important to them. If movies and television also focus on more positive symbols cheerleaders represent perhaps their overall symbolic order could then be transformed. It is hard to say if this representation will ever be seen in popular culture because the symbolism is so polysemic. What is seen as offensive and unrealistic to cheerleaders may be considered comforting and entertaining to others.
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