Representation of Minorities (African American and Native Americans) in Pop Culture

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The Representation of Minorities (African American and Native Americans) in Pop Culture in the 19th Century
Popular culture or pop culture, as it is commonly known, has become so pervasive in contemporary societies to the extent that it influences the attitudes, beliefs, and values of individuals regarding certain topics and issues (Storey 24). Pop culture is a movement that generates likable trends that are quickly taken up and absorbed by the public. However, while pop culture is so influential today, the concept remains controversial among scholars who seek to define it and describe what it entails. This challenge is worsened because some of the trends and emerging issues in popular culture are almost like a passing wind as they do not last long enough to be studied before they are overtaken by new trends (Ashby 12). As a result, there is no mutually acceptable definition of popular culture.
Nonetheless, pop culture is superficially considered to encompass different practices, beliefs, and objects prevalent in a society at any given time. At the heart of all these is the mass appeal, which includes the feelings, attitudes, and activities generated through the interaction with the dominant objects' mass culture. Given the critical role of popular culture in shaping the attitudes and beliefs of individuals, this essay argues that in its formative years, pop culture was used to reinforce negative views about minority communities in the US in the 19th century.
Popular culture, which emerged from the 19th century, has transformed into an influential aspect of contemporary societies over the years. This is primarily aided by mass media and other agents of globalization, such as the internet and other communication technologies. However, in the 19th and the early parts of the 20th century, the power and influence of pop culture were restricted to popular shows, such as Buffalo Bill's Wild West shows, World Fairs and Exhibitions, and in some important political events. A majority of the critical stakeholders in pop culture in the 19th century were White men (Ashby 12). This fact is essential in understanding trends in popular culture since the 19th century. This is because most of these trends seem to reinforce stereotypes that strengthen the superiority of white males over other people. Native Americans and African Americans have either been left out or played a minimal role in contributing to some of the popular narratives and values that help to define America's greatness and the country's promises to the world. America is portrayed through pop culture as a perfect place full of promises and prosperity to the American people and visitors (Ashby 13). Pop culture, therefore, is important to the development of American values and ideals to the entire world.
In the 19th century and during the first part of the20th century, pop culture played a significant role in representing Native Americans and African Americans as either heroes or villains and as threatening figures, or nonthreatening, depending on the circumstances. Most of the elements of popular culture such as music, movies, and magazines for the more significant part of the 19th century presented minority gr...