1930s Popular Culture

Words: 1876
Pages: 8

Change. New. Different. The 1930s and onward recreate popular culture and what it represented. Popular culture is defined as culture created by ordinary people, not people of elite education. The fact popular culture influenced society became evident between the three decades mentioned throughout this essay. During the 1930s and 1960s (Great Depression, World War 2 and after) new technology, new movies, increased population and integration of sports, and new roles in society were just some of the major influences in popular culture. In the 1950s, however, music would change popular culture forever.
Popular culture greatly affected technology, the advancements and emotion it created were enormous. Technology during the great depression
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The invention and growth of the radio and the TV allowed for more interaction in the sports world. It allowed for people to become fans of sports teams around the country instead of those in nearby towns. It allowed for them to view growing talent and the full extent of integration in sports. In the book, Forty Million Dollar Slaves, it talks about how black athletes went through turmoil and hate because of their ability to be a new level of athletic many never saw before. It attracted new fans because of black athletes becoming a part of white leagues in baseball, football, and basketball for example. The book also covers the domination of black athletes in horseback riding. When white owners and athletes realized how dominant black athletes were becoming they became jealous and started to restrict them, created rules to try and control them and their success. Sports almost forced people to compensate with the racial, social class, and ethnic changes that were forming in society. Black athletes did not have an easier route in sports and being safe from racism but it started a notion and fight to try and be equal to everyone else. The integration of sports gave athletes around the world to try and live a better life and allowed them to showcase how athletic and dominant they can be. Some people were not ready for the change in sports but the popularity amongst fans and the amazing athleticism in black athletes brought a new form of entertainment for all. The popularity and integration of sports and changes it brought to popular culture are still seen