Gordon accepts the definition of acculturation as “those phenomena which result when groups of individuals having different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact, with subsequent changes in the original cultural patterns of either or both groups.” While this statement suggests that there may be a reciprocal influence between the culture’s of two groups, Gordon uses historical evidence (emphasizing the theory of “anglo-conformity”) to support the idea that in US history, it was mostly minority groups that became acculturated to the dominant Anglo-Saxon “American” ideology through coercion.
While I would agree that organizations and institutions (like government, schools, religious centers) have denied the structural assimilation of many minorities into the American mainstream, I see media and pop culture as an interesting entrance point for racial/ethnic variety. In these realms there is a more authentic display of the diversity of the American public and audience. To me it seems that pop culture, especially in the music industry, has most allowed the success of ethnically and racially different artists and styles — much more than politics, for instance, has allowed the success of ethnically and racially different political voices and leaders. While politics has mostly maintained its homogenous Anglo-Saxon roots, pop culture has allowed, even encouraged, the “infiltration” of a diversity of artists and styles into the mainstream. Just last week, Beyonce–a black female pop/R&B singer– held a show-stopping performance at the Superbowl to be viewed and applauded by millions. I didn’t hear anyone claiming that Madonna’s performance the year before was better. (The point is: it would be silly to think that race definitively determines who the American audience prefers)
The problem I see in the music industry isn’t that “ethnic” or “urban” style music is not popular. By the contrary, Hip-Hop music is blowing up the top 40 on the radio and Colombian pop star Shakira is an idol with a huge US fan base. The issue is that, with few exceptions (SEE BELOW*), performers and artists are expected to stick to their roles. It’s as if black performers are assumed to croon R&B and make audacious flashy rap hits, while white artists fill the role of tamer sugar-coated popstars and angsty rockers. Meanwhile, who ever heard of a famous Latino country singer? I haven’t.
White musicians may “repackage” certain musical styles in “racially unthreatening terms”, but this is merely the role that they are expected to play in the larger scheme. We Americans love diversity, as long as everyone keeps to their place and enforces the stereotype.
*(EXCEPTIONS may include: rapper Eminem, R&B singer Justin Timberlake, “Girl band”-esque singing group Destiny’s Child, etc.)
-Sophie Simon
