80's Music - Reflection of Decade

Though the 1980's did not interest me in a music sense, the messages behind the music did. A major message of the music was that violence, such as the Cold War, was pointless. The anti-war message could be clearly seen through the songs, "Russians" and "99 Balloons". These songs demonstrated the staunch positions held by most individuals, which was that nuclear war and rhetoric served no positive purpose. While the Cold War was a major theme, domestic issues, such as the changes of desegregation, were prominent in various groups including the hip-hop group, NWA. They brought up issues like racism and gang violence occurring in California. They frequently used racial slurs in their songs, as they were not afraid to be controversial or confrontational. NWA’s willingness not to shy away from controversial topics and express their opinions was a new and interesting approach. I believe that they captured the mood of some people during the decade since inequality was still a major problem in the country at the time, which they helped bring attention to.

80's TV

Bill Cosby is a well known and hilarious comedian so I enjoyed watching his show.  For the time, the show served as a new precedent because it featured a well to do African American family that ran directly against racial stereotypes. The show developed its humor from the familial interactions it portrayed and the typical banter that developed in a growing family. The show developed an array of struggles that appealed to all ages, such as peer pressure and parenting. The clean and familiar humor provided for all age groups to watch.

Miami Vice was more enjoyable than the other shows as it provided an interesting plot line that was relatively realistic. From the 70's and 80's there was a significant change in violence. Explosions were used for the first time and were more frequent though not developed with as much drama as modern media. Violence ,such as the shooting of various people, was more prevalent though, like explosives, less dramatic as those found in modern media. 

 

Cheers was interesting especially since we live in the Boston area, which added to the entertainment of the show. The single setting seemed odd at first but eventually revealed the interesting premise of following some at work, rather than following them on odd journeys, which most people would not relate to as more white-collar jobs required people to stay in one place for hours. 

70's Movies

The 70's movies continued a theme of conflict and struggle similar to those seen in the 60's culture. Jaws, Star Wars and Apocalypse Now all featured violent struggles, which often originated from the Cold War. 

Star Wars featured a storyline that was highly influenced by a Cold War mentality. The premise outlined an evil empire conquering the galaxy and destroying planets. On the other side was a underdog force fighting for freedom. The plot resonated with Americans due to the similarities between the two sides, with the US being the rebels/freedom fighters while the USSR is an evil empire that aims to destroy planets. By having the rebels(USA) win, the movie serves as a morale booster for Americans when doubt was everywhere (Watergate, Saigon). 

Apocalypse continued the theme of Cold War conflict. The movie featured a rugged portrayal of the Vietnam war. The movie served as an outlet for the anger felt by many american towards their inept government. The movie exhibited the crazy and impractical nature of the war.  By blaming the failure of the war and loss on the crazy leader, movie could be viewed as closure for those who lost their children and family to the war. However, the movies rugged take on the war could easily be viewed as insulting due to the recent nature of the war and personal toll taken. 

The final movie was Jaws, which continued the theme of conflict. The shark of the movie symbolically represented the USSR, as well as communism in general. The shark was a mysterious and deadly force that the citizens feared and wanted to destroy. Similar to the shark, the USSR and communism represented a foreign presence that served to destroy the American way of life. The storyline also served as a commentary on the Vietnam War. Through the movie, various people foolishly go out searching for the shark before ultimately dying. The shark is not finally killed until the citizens wait for it to strike. The movie could serve to remind Americans that the US should fight Communism at home rather than search it out in foreign lands. 

The movie Star Wars represented the 70's the most accurately. The movie connect an unrealistic and interesting story line with a more relatable topic, never ending conflict, such as the Cold War.

80's Topics

Reagan Foreign Policy (Thatcher, Iran, Grenada, Berlin) 

Celtics-Laker Rivalry 

Shuttle Program

70's TV

The shows of the seventies demonstrated the changing aspects of American social hierarchies. Each show attempts to relate to the changing dynamic of American society and the new found influence of minorities. With The Brady Bunch, the average white suburban family is depicted.  While the show centers around a white family, the show reaches out to other viewers through its underlying messages. In the episode we watched, the show exhibited the growing influence of women's equality within society by having the spouses admit that the both work equal amounts. All in the Family portrays a more accurate image of American society during the 1970's. Through a white family, the show demonstrates the generational divide between Traditional conservatives (Archie) and the liberal youth (daughter and boyfriend). By having an array of political background represented, the show can reach a broader array of viewers in the changing landscape of America. The Mary Tyler Moore Show represented the extreme end of change within American society. Rather than having a tv show revolving around men with women as minor characters, the show reverses the role. The role reversal demonstrates the changing gender roles within society. The show depicts how more women were leaving the domestic workplace for an office workspace. 

For the three shows, I would have to say the Mary Taylor Moore show was the best. The Brady Bunch was not very relatable because the family landscape is depicted as too perfect, even though the parents were divorced or widowed. The Brady Bunch was less relatable than All in the Family and the Mary Taylor Moore show. All in the Family was the most relatable but was quite boring.  The All in the Family demonstrated the normal generational divide over political change and ideas.The Mary Taylor Moore show reminded me of Seinfeld and was more interesting because of the crazy and stupid plot/characters. 

70's Music

The music discusses in depth the meaning of life and love. These topics reflect the uncertainty associated with the United States Government in post-Vietnam and Watergate. The songs discuss how various ideals are not important for their is a deeper meaning to life which they will soon know. The deeper meaning is a reflection of the fact that many people were looking to other organizations for answers since they have lost faith in their government. 

70's Pictures

The pictures demonstrate the aftermath of the 60's and the protests. In the majority of the pictures, large amounts of trash are seen. Also the people depicted in the pictures are still wearing the self-expression style clothing associated with the 1960's.