Mirror on America

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Mirror on America. Short Essays and Images from Popular Culture. JOAN T. MIMS. Texas Education Agency. ELIZABETH M. NOLLEN. West Chester University.
Mirror on America Short Essays and Images from Popular Culture

JOAN T. MIMS Texas Education Agency

ELIZABETH M. NOLLEN West Chester University

SUB Gfittingen 213 536 951

7

2001 A 8562

BEDFORD/ST. MARTIN'S

Boston • New York

Contents

Preface for Instructors

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Introduction for Students xiii 1. Active, Involved Reading and the Writing Process: Establishing the Connection Reading with a Difference

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Getting into Reading 1 Thinking Ahead 3 Increasing Vocabulary 4 Reading a Sample Essay 5 ANDREW PHILLIPS, An Icon for All Seasons 6 A journalist explores the extraordinary cultural impact of Princess Diana's life and death.

Thinking about the Reading 9 Writing with a Difference 6 Getting into Writing 14 Planning Purpose, Audience, and Attitude 16 Hooking the Reader 16 Identifying a Thesis 17 Supporting a Thesis 18 Organizing the Content 18 Connecting the Pieces 19 Arriving at a Conclusion 19 Titling the Paper and Other Final Steps 19 Revising the Paper 20 Editing the Paper 20 Peer Editing 21 Gaining from the Effort 22 A Sample Student Essay 22 CORTNEY K.E1M, Our Fair-Weather Friend 23 A student takes issue with Andrew Phillips's identification of Princess Diana as "an icon for our time." xvii

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Contents

2. Mirror, Mirror: How Gender Identity Shapes Self-image LOOKING AHEAD: NiceAltoids Gearing Up Collaborating

[ADVERTISEMENT]

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PATRICIA MCLAUGHLIN, Venus Envy 31 A columnist reveals more similarities than differences in the attitudes of today's men and women towards personal appearance. DAVE BARRY, The Ugly Truth about Beauty 34 Men are not really concerned with their own looks or the looks of the women around them, according to this popular humorist. GLORIA BORGER, Barbie"s Newest Values 38 Amid continuing controversy over the impossibly idealizedfigureof Barbie, this writer argues that the doll's physical attributes are not the real issue. H. D., Dying to Be Bigger 42 An anonymous young man recounts his addiction to steroids and explores its causes and consequences. CHRISTINA HOFF SOMMERS, The "FragileAmerican Girl"Myth Get over the notion that American women are a downtrodden minority, insists this author.

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SHARON OLDS, Rite of Passage [POEM] 51 This poet probes the frightening tendencies beneath a young boy's apparent innocence. PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, Women in the 1990s—Names [LETTERS] 54 In a series of letters to the editor, writers respond to the issue of women changing or retaining their own surnames after marriage. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 2

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Focusing on Yesterday: Honey, I'm Home [PHOTOGRAPH] Focusing on Today: To Have and To Hold [PHOTOGRAPH] Reflecting on the Writing 64 Connecting to the Culture 64

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Contents

3. Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?: How Cultural Identity Shapes Self-image

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LOOKING AHEAD: All the Colors of the World [ADVERTISEMENT]

Gearing Up

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Collaborating

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RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, Complexion 68 A prominent Hispanic author draws upon personal experience to link skin color, social position, and self-image. CAROLYN EDGAR, Black and Blue 76 This African American author narrates her struggle with an unachievable standard of beauty among members of her own family and race. GRACE SUH, The Eye of the Beholder 86 A search for beauty at a make-up counter has disastrous results for this Asian American writer. JANICE MIRIKITANI, Recipe [POEM] 91 This poet details the effort that may be required to match another culture's standard of beauty. LEWIS S AWAQU AT, For My'Indian Daughter 93 This Native American writer's gift to his young daughter discloses not only the torment he has suffered but also his pride in the heritage they share. SUSAN BRADY KONIG, They've Got to Be Carefully Taught 97 With a liberal sprinkling of humor, this journalist tackles the serious issue of whether our efforts to stress diversity may sometimes move us farther apart. MAX FRANKEL, Let's Be Chromatically Correct 101 // we are going to use ethnic labels, this writer urges that we rely on greater accuracy in our descriptions. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 3

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Focusing on Yesterday: I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing [LYRICS]

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Focusing on Today: What Do you Look Like? [CARTOON] Reflecting on the Writing 108 Connecting to the Culture 108

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Contents

4. The Fabric of Our Lives: Fashion Trends and the Messages They Send

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LOOKING AHEAD: Peter Mueller, "Where should we put the logo?" [CARTOON] 109 Gearing Up Collaborating

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MARTHA DUFFY, His for Hilfiger

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This writer traces the amazing history of Hilfiger fashions. KATY KELLY, Children's Clothing Wears a Racy '90s Label 115 Clothing studded with names like "Mantrap " and "Porn Star" races through the teenage fashion scene. JOHN LEO, The "Modern Primitives" 121 The popularity of piercings and tattoos may indicate a return to the patterns of primitive cultures, writes this popular cultural critic. TAMALA M. EDWARDS, Love your Nails, Jack 125 Common acceptance of pierced ears for both sexes has turned some men's attention to other avenues of personal expression.

DAVID FELD, Up through the Ranks 128 Khakis have marched from the military into a permanent place in our hearts and closets. MICK FARREN, The Motorcycle Jacket 133 James Dean, Elvis Presley, Madonna, bikers, and "tongue-studded kids" all wear it with pride. ANNE HOLLANDER, Navel Gazing 141 Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit issue owes much of its popularity to some interesting historical developments in the fashion industry. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 4

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Focusing on Yesterday: There She Was [PHOTOGRAPH] Focusing on Today: Body Rites [ADVERTISEMENT] 147 Reflecting on the Writing 148 Connecting to the Culture 148

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Contents

5. Fantasies for Sale: Marketing American Culture LOOKING AHEAD: Is there a GAP in your life? Gearing Up

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Collaborating

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JOL1E SOLOMON AND ARLYN TOBIAS GAJILAN, A Tale of a Tail 152 The hare-raising escapades of a flipflop-shod drummer have exerted an astonishing influence on the world of advertising. JOHN FOLLIS, MadAve. 156 A veteran of advertising takes us behind the slogans and jingles to offer a revealing glimpse of his profession and his peers. TARA PARKER-POPE, Custom-Made 161 American corporations are making startling discoveries — and some really unusual products — as they venture into international markets. JOHN LEO, The Selling of Rebellion 167 Advertising campaigns capitalize on the "no boundaries" attitude of their audience. MARILYN ELI AS, Under the Influence 171 A journalist investigates the influence of television commercials and programs on alcohol use by minors. ADAM LEHNER, Sex in the Ice Cubes 175 Images within images, words hidden in photographs, "sex" imbedded in ice cubes — subliminal messages have become a routine part of advertising's bag of tricks. READ MERCER SCHUCHARDT, Swoosh! 180 In a culture in which symbols can carry more meaning than words, this writer examines the origin and influence of Nike's popular icon. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 5

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Focusing on Yesterday: Things Would Have Gone Better [ADVERTISEMENT]

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Focusing on Today: United We Stand Reflecting on the Writing 187 Connecting to the Culture 187

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Concents

6. Flickering Illusions: Television and Movie Messages

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LOOKING AHEAD: Bunny Hoest and John Reiner, Role Models I CARTOON ]

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Gearing Up 189 Collaborating 189 DEBBIE STOLLER, Brave New Girls 190 Damsels in distress have been shoved aside by women who battle with broadaxes, brains, and brash behavior. NIK CO H N, Another Saturday Night 197 The screenwriter of a 1970s classic movie comes out of the shadows to share the spotlight with a musical stage production of his work. ELLEN GOODMAN, The New Hollywood Male 202 A widely syndicated columnist claims that today's male screen images suffer from the same mixed messages our society is sending to all men. TAD FRIEND, Fat, Cheap, and Out of Control 206 This writer reflects on the short, fast lives of three tragic comedians, asking, "Where did we get the idea that fat men are jolly?" JEANNE ALBRONDA HEATON AND NONA LEIGH WILSON, Tuning in Trouble 211 Are talk shows good therapy or just stimulating televised trash? SUSAN KORONES GIFFORD, Why We Really Watch Made-for-TV Movies 218 These oft-dismissed efforts lack big budgets, big stars, and critical acclaim, but they must be striking a common chord within many television viewers. STEPHEN KING, Why We Crave Horror Movies 222 The modern master of the genre contends that watching horror movies releases an important steam valve in our social conscience.

WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 6

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Focusing on Yesterday: King Kong Rules! [MOVIE STILL]

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Focusing on Today: Michael Franti and Mark Tiskel, Television, the Drug of the Nation [LYRICS] 227

Reflecting on the Writing 231 Connecting to the Culture 231

Contents

7. Changing Our Tunes: Culture and Music Keeping Time LOOKING AHEAD: Tupac Shakur Gearing Up Collaborating

[MAGAZINE COVER]

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MARILYN DUFF, Meanwhile on MTV, They're Shooting Up Classrooms 235 This writer details instances of violence on MTV and questions why such excesses escape criticism just because they have been set to music. ARMOND WHITE, On the Charts, Off the Covers 239 The cultural influence of black musical artists is reduced by the media's unwillingness to give them the publicity and recognition awarded to others, argues this writer. CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY, Songs in the Key of Lauryn Hill 246 Time's music reporter interviews this singing sensation and poses interesting questions about hip-hop's place in our music and our culture. SUSAN DOUGLAS, Girls 'n Spice-. All Things Nice? 251 This author researches the group's career and reflects on the earlier girl groups who paved the way. BRIAN MCCOLLUM, Today s Pop Stars Hurt by Too Much Publicity? 257 Access to too much information may have permanently blasted the rising stars of future music icons, warns this journalist. KIKU LOOMIS, That Swing you Do! 262 A dancer examines our modern attraction to dance styles from the first half of the twentieth century. KURT LODER, The Beatles 265 An MTV anchorman strives to explain the phenomenal power of one of England's major influences on American music. DICK CLARK, Remembering "Presleymania" 270 This writer, who himself owns a significant place in American musical history, reflects on the amazing, continuing cultural impact of the King of Rock V Roll. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 7

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Focusing on Yesterday: Elvis Presley [MAGAZINE COVER] Focusing on Today: Madonna, Vogue [LYRICS] 274 Reflecting on the Writing 277 Connecting to the Culture 277

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Contents

8. The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat: The Impact of Sports on Our Lives LOOKING AHEAD: Arnie Levin, Incentive Gearing Up Collaborating

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NELSON GEORGE, Rare Jordan 281 An American sports legend takes his rightful place in our cultural history. RUTH CONNIFF, The Joy of Women's Sports 287 In the wake of Title IX, this writer reviews the place of women in sports. KATE ROUNDS, Tying the Score 296 Women's sports magazines fall short of their goal, criticizes this feminist editor. LORRAINE KEE, Lions and Christians 299 A former sportswriter examines the unlikely teaming up of religion and football. THAD WILLIAMSON, Bad as They Wanna Be 303 Are college sports really so mired in commercial values that the joy of the game is lost to both athletes and fans? JAMES COLLINS, Lords of the Ring 310 Stone Cold Steve Austin calls his performance in the ring "a soap opera based on the sport of wrestling," leading this writer to compare what professional wrestling is today with what it used to be. LEIGH MONTVILLE, Requiem for a Super Featherweight 315 In the sport of boxing, the truth of the axiom "no one is invincible" sometimes demands a terrible price. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 8

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Focusing on Yesterday: The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth [PHOTOGRAPH]

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Focusing on Today: No Pain, No Hockey Reflecting on the Writing 321 Connecting to the Culture 321

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Contents

9. From Disney to McDonald's: Places in the American Heart LOOKING AHEAD: Mark Hess, Cyberhawks Gearing Up Collaborating

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[ILLUSTRATION]

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GINIA BELLAFANTE, Dostoyevsky and a Decaf 324 Bookstores have achieved a prominent place in the social agenda, and this writer explores their influence. BONNIE ANGELO, Hungry for Theme Dining 328 The Hard Rock Cafe has been rocking for over a quarter of a century, but suddenly everyone wants a bite of the business of "eatertainment." DAN DELUCA, Loving Las Vegas 334 A unique American landmark continues to keep pace with a nation's cultural evolution. NORIE QUINTOS DANYLIW, The Kingdom Comes 340 Opening its newest attraction, Disney learns that real animals aren't as cooperative as Mickey and Minnie. MICHAEL WHITE, Lights! Camera! Shopping! 344 Customers are no longer content to merely shop or eat; now they want to be lavishly entertained at the same time. LINI S. KADABA, No Beef

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"Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese. . . . " But hold the beef! America's fast-food industry thrives abroad.

T. TRENT GEGAX, Booming Amusement Parks 352 Theme parks soar into a new century by diversifying to meet every customer group's preferences. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 9

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Focusing on Yesterday: Did Somebody Say . . .? [PHOTOGRAPH]

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Focusing on Today: Go Naked to the Mall Reflecting on the Writing Connecting to the Culture

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Contents

10. Virtual Reality: Untangling the Web of Technology LOOKING AHEAD: Scheme Different Gearing Up Collaborating

[CARTOON]

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JOSHUA QUITTNER, Future Shocks 361 This on-line editor thinks couch potatoes will become a thing of the past as we prepare ourselves to become active participants in our own entertainment. NEIL PEART, Virtually 366 Song lyrics narrate a virtual romance in cyberspace. AMY W U , young Cyber Addicts 369 One young cyberwriter warns that the Internet is a dangerous trap for the unwary. MOIRA MULDOON, Death and the Hard Drive 373 A writer ponders reflections of her father found locked in his computer's memory. MAGGIE FORD, School, Girls, and the Information Age 377 If women are to continue to bridge the professional gender gap, then schools must encourage young girls to fully prepare for careers in information technology, insists this author. AL GORE AND DAVID GELERNTER, Should Schools Be Wired to the Internet? 380 The Vice President and a victim of the Unabomber debate the wisdom of giving every school student Internet access. CHRISTOPHER PORTERFIELD, Right before Our Eyes 386 One writer who has been an attentive witness marvels at the technological and cultural advances of the twentieth century. WRAPPING UP CHAPTER 10

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Focusing on Yesterday: Military Intelligence [ADVERTISEMENT] Focusing on Today: America Wrongline [PARODY] 394 Reflecting on the Writing 395 Connecting to the Culture 395

Index of Authors and Titles 401

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