The New Talking Android
I feel like the new
influx of people imitating dances for popularity on social media platforms such
as Instagram and Tiktok represents a widespread movement of Talking
Androids. When I think of this, my mind goes to the renegade dance that
was highly popularized online by Tiktok. The original dance was made by a fourteen-year-old
black girl named Jalaiah Harmon but the version that most people are recording,
and sharing is the over simplified or watered-down version of the dance that
can be shared. It almost seems like the talking Android to me because I felt
the purpose of the talking android is to take away from the impact of the
movement of Jes Grew in the story and that's what I feel a lot of people on
social media do without realizing it. They “disguise” themselves as people who
are going along with the movement or action but end up undermining it. The only
key differences are that these people aren’t actively trying to harm the
movement and they aren’t black as well.
I also think this goes hand in hand with cultural
appropriation. When people try to imitate “trends” or actions in a culture that
is not their own without good reason harm the culture because they are turning
something with a purpose into something with a show. A good example of this would
be when someone who has smooth textured hair wears a durag. Wearing a durag
without the right hair and turns into a fashion statement without its purpose
taking away from the “credibility” of the movement.
Now this isn’t to say I hate Tiktok, it just seems
to be a trend I notice with people who want to become popular online tend to
imitate things that are already popular. In fact, you could argue that the way
people fetishize black people’s culture and the way they make it mainstream
takes away from the impact and meaning of the culture. Personally, I do not
have any problems with people doing what they want online, this just seems apparent
to me.
I agree with a lot of your argument, but I think the entry of black hip-hop and rap culture into mainstream culture is better in the sense that it really gives young black men and women a platform to express themselves and permeate their views into societal discourse. Because hip-hop and rap has some much clout in mainstream culture, rappers can push for issues that matter for them. It isn't always a situation where black culture becoming more mainstream is bad.
ReplyDeleteYeah this is really interesting and I think that you're right in pointing out how much of pop culture today is really rooted in black culture, and how maybe we don't want to admit it because it's the present but its probably cultural appropriate. I wonder if the way we talk about jazz and rock n' roll being taken over by white people in the 20th century is how people in the 22nd century will talk about right now
ReplyDeleteI like your comparison of the Talking Android in the present, as I agree that many elements of black culture have become mainstream. I feel like social media has only further facilitated this, as anyone can share their art, opinions, etc. However, this could potentially make people more susceptible to a Talking Android-like situation, which reminds me of how people appropriate black culture. I wonder if people like Jalaiah Harmon (who have gone viral on TikTok) can represent Jes Grew.
ReplyDeleteIv'e also noticed a connection between apps such as Tiktok being ways to downplay the effects of art movements or individuality, specifically looking at those who use these sites as a way to make money and affect the mainstream culture, diluting it in the process.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Connection, I wonder in the analogy of the talking android who the H.V.V is are what the motives are
ReplyDeleteYes this is an interesting connection between the Talking android and our culture. Black culture has become more mainstream in many ways (art, fashion, music, etc.). I would say that in many ways this is good, as it gives people a voice who may not have had one before. The issue is when this culture is appropriated by white people.
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