& Countercultures Modified From: hasdpa/215120729132129693/lib /.../ Subcultures . ppt

1. & Countercultures Modified From: www.hasdpa.net/215120729132129693/lib/.../Subcultures.ppt

2. After today… • You should be able to tell the difference between subcultures & countercultures • You should be able to identify the purpose of subcultures within dominant society • You should be able to identify the qualities of sub/countercultures

3. What is a subculture? • Any group that exists within dominant, mainstream culture…a world within a world • Shared ideology…values, norms, beliefs • Shared aesthetic…dress, pastimes, music, zines/blogs, etc • Shared vernacular…specialized language

4. Types of Subcultures • Vocational subcultures • Recreational subcultures • Ethnic subcultures • Lifestyle Subcultures

5. Job Jargon: Truck Driving • "Reefer" ... refrigerated trailer • "Big Road" .... Highway • "Flip Flop" ... return trip • "Chicken Coup" ... truck scales • "Bear" ... Police • "Back Door" ... Behind

6. Purpose of both sub and countercultures • Gives people a place where they are empowered • Connects likeminded people • Makes invisible people visible • Allows people to escape the identity they are born into • Gives people a place to construct identity

7. Furries

8. Otherkin • Subculture of people, primarily Internet-based, who identify in some way as other than human • Believe themselves to be mythological or legendary creatures, explaining their beliefs through reincarnation, having a nonhuman soul • Angels, demons, dragons, elves, extra-terrestrials, fairies, kitsune, lycanthropes, and vampires

10. Bōsōzoku • “Violent running gang”; a Japanese subculture associated with motorcycle clubs and gangs. • First seen in the 1950s as the Japanese automobile industry expanded rapidly.  • Engage in dangerous or reckless driving, such as weaving in traffic, not wearing motorcycle helmets, and running red lights • composed of people under the legal adult age, (20 yrs old) • Weapons of choice: wooden swords, metal pipes and Molotov cocktails.

12. Sukeban • Sukeban --"suke" means female, while "ban" means boss in Japan; girl gangs • Wear sailor uniforms; pleated skirts that went down to their feet, and custom embroidery

14. Harajuku district of Japan Girls dress like their favorite manga, anime, or video-game character. Wamona, cyber, decora , or cosplay

15. Steampunk • Based on science fiction literature blended with Victorian Era culture… • Think H.G. Wells and Jules Verne • Clothing: gowns, corsets, petticoats and bustles; suits with vests, coats and spats; or military-inspired garments. 

17. Hipsters

18. LARPers • Participants physically act out their characters' actions as decided by the gamemaster • May last hours or days • May be in public or private • Most characters dress up and have alternative personas • Horror, zombie, fantasy, post apocalyptic, assassin, etc.

20. Trekkies

21. What is a counterculture? • A group who’s values and norms deviate from or are at odds with those of dominant culture: • Usually viewed as negative/dangerous, but not always (e.g. women’s lib groups in the 70s or the Civil Rights movement of the 60s) • Hippies, KKK, early punk, Satanists, Hells Angels/Pagans, Anarchists, Cults

22. Why do people join countercultures? • Members of countercultural groups are… • Usually outsiders • Alienated • Marginalized people with little power over their status in the world • Don’t fit the mold of what American cultures says is “normal”

23. Punk Subculture • Emerges in London and NYC in the 1970s • Max’s Kansas City & CBGBs • Backlash against the hippy counterculture • Values: nihilistic, rejected materialism, anti-establishment

26. Hippies

28. What is a “cult”? • A group whose beliefs seem bizarre or abnormal • Can be religious or secular: • Modern cults include large group-awareness training, psychotherapy, business (pyramid schemes), political (militia), and "New Age" groups:

29. Cults in American Society • Some estimates suggest there are over 5000 cultsin the U.S. (including militia groups, extremist religions, and new age sects) • The turn of the century rekindled interest and membership in cults. • Some estimates suggest upwards of 185,000 convertsper year to various cults

30. Problem with Defining “Cults” • One person’s cult is another’s religion • What is the difference between a “cult” and a “social movement”? • What is the difference between an “extremist group” and a “club”?

31. Cults: 8 Commonalities • Authoritarian: central leadership in one person or small group of individuals. • Oppositional: values, beliefs or practices at odds with dominant culture. • Exclusivistic: only the group has ''the truth,'' usually based on new insights or revelation. • Legalistic: a tightly structured framework which governs spirituality and the smallest details of daily life. • Subjective: undue emphasis on experience and emotions often resulting in anti-intellectualism. • Persecution-Conscious: the belief that their group is singled out for persecution. • Sanction-Oriented: stern sanctions issued for anything less than total obedience. • Esoteric: an emphasis on secret, hidden or inner truth.

32. Characteristics of People Who Join Cults • A desire to belong • Unassertiveness • Gullibility (impaired capacity to question critically) • Low tolerance for ambiguity • Cultural disillusionment or alienation • Idealism • A lack of self-confidence • A desire for spiritual meaning

33. Heaven’s Gate Cult • Founded by Marshall Applewhite AKA “Do”, and Bonnie Lu Truesdale AKA”Ti” • Mid 1970’s – West Coast • Beliefs • Aliens a “ Level Above” humans • Earth was a “ Garden for Souls” • Jesus was part of this. Applewhite was the same as Jesus • Earth was being “Recycled” • Comet Hale-Bopp was signal to leave

34. Star Trek reference • All wearing the following: • Identical blue shirts and sweatpants • Nike Widerunners • Armbands reading “Heaven’s Gate Away Team” • Each had a $5 bill and 3 quarters in their pocket

35. Marshall Applewhite & Bonnie Lu Nettles Trusdale

37. Jim Jones: The People’s Temple • Founded in 1955 by Jim Jones • By 1959 = over 900 members (mid-70s 3,000) • Preached imminent end of the world in a nuclear war and that the survivors would create a “new socialist Eden” on earth • Would travel around the country performing fake healings and fund raising • San Francisco - police suspicion • Jones leases 4,000 acres of land in Guyana

38. Jonestown Massacre • November 17, 1978: Congressman Leo Ryan goes to Guyana to investigate • November 18, 1978: Ryan attempts to help potential defectors • Temple guards open fire, kill Ryan, 3 journalists and one defector • Jones orders mass execution • Cyanide-laced, grape flavored Kool-Aid

39. Aftermath • 918 dead • 270 children • Greatest single loss of American civilian life before 9/11 • Only Congressman to ever be assassinated