Music and Cultural Identity

http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/MIE/Part2_chapter03.shtml


This article talks about the relationship between music and cultural groups. Mainly focusing on the rock of the 50's and 60's, it explains how music can be used as a means for youth to rebel against the older generation. Furthermore, it claims that people with certain levels of education tend to belong to certain music subcultures, such as classical music for those with higher education.

However, they failed to explain how music can also reinforce the values of the older generation in the younger one. One example of this is found in the fact that music from the 50's and 60's just doesn't seem to go away. Ask just about any kid on the street, and they can at least tell you the name of one Beetle's song. In fact, many of the songs appearing in movies and CD's are simply remakes of the 'classics'. This can easily be explained by a desire of the older generation to share their values and beliefs with their children. Civil rights and peace were issues of their day, and now that they are the politicians, teachers, and such, we see these ideals being upheld, not only in government policy, but also into the mind of the youth.

Another example of traditional identities being passed through music is found in Country music. While this genre is often hailed as being corny or fake by listeners of other kinds of music, it quite clearly instills traditions and values into its listeners, and those who identify with it see it as being at least as 'real' as other kinds. This type of music focuses more on the family and the national identity of its listeners. Also, as stated in a song sung by Trace Atkins, they include strong references to “loving and living...family and God."

(300)

Is the Military Culture a True Culture?

This article discusses the existence of military culture, what roles it plays in war, and the differences between the different branches. It also explains the positive and negative sides of each. Mostly, this article discusses the role of history in each culture.

http://www.fpri.org/fpriwire/0702.199901.murray.militaryculturedoesmatter.html

Note: I’m using the following websites to back up some of my statements. http://anthro.palomar.edu/culture/culture_1.htm
http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/New_Web_Format/Candidate_Information/Candidate%20Regulations.pdf

I choose this topic because I felt it was very different from what most of my peers would choose to discuss, and it interests me. I have long known that the United States Military had its own culture, but I never looked at it in the same sense as cultures that are derived from nationality or religion. I believe it can truly stand among these.

According to Edward B. Tylor, culture is defined by certain rules which he lists. He says that any culture must have a verbal language. While the United States Military largely uses English, they are well known for having a language all their own and English is regulated by many rules. When addressing an officer of higher rank, there are rules such as saying “Sir” or “Ma’am” before and after a formal statement. There is also the wide variety of acronyms and other words to consider. Other rules that the Military Culture conforms to easily include: dividing tasks according to sex, regulations concerning procreation, firm laws drawing a line between good and bad behavior, having body ornamentation (in the form of uniforms), games and jokes, art, and leadership positions.

Aspects of culture that have to do with family are somewhat lacking in the military, as would be expected. This may cause people to dismiss it, but after some scrutiny, traces of these can be found as well. As for using age and gender to classify, gender is used, and while age isn’t used directly, ranks are and their purpose is to show seniority. Classifying people within the military by marriage doesn’t happen, but there is a different kind of relationship that is very important. Soldiers are divided into groups such as firing squads and platoons, and they are regularly classified by these relationships. While there are no specific rules for the raising of children, they tend to be raised within the military community. Rules for privacy are probably the sketchiest, but information could possibly be found to support their existence as well.

All in all, the military has its own culture.

Test Post

This blog was created for my CMU/SOC150 class at Cascadia Community College.