Popular Culture

Popular culture is a way to determine one’s identity and create different types of expressions, which vary in a particular society. Such forms of expression are how the "people" in such societies interact with each other. Popular culture comprises the means via which large, heterogeneous masses of people identify themselves, for example by conformity to certain types of dress, ways of speaking, modes of behavior, and music preferences. The norms of popular culture are highly individualistic and constantly changing — they allow adherents to continually update or redefine themselves by the culture aspects they adopt, maintain, modify, or reject. Popular culture is often transmitted by mass media such as books, films, television, large public gatherings (rock concerts, mass sports events, etc.) and is usually not location-specific. One's "identity" within popular, mass culture is usually flexible and even vague, with a wide range of possible social roles which one may define individually within the broad cultural norm. I think that it is beneficial for one to understand the definition of popular culture in a business environment and in a career. The reason for my belief is because there a many different people that you have to interact with everyday. The society and technology is changing everyday, and understanding popular culture can help you understand the effects these changes have on people. I never thought how much popular culture is a description of our everyday life. It consists on what we eat, wear, how we speak, and just basically all of our actions and views.
I chose black entertainment television (BET) to be an example of a popular culture. It has made so many improvements and has contributed to the society in so many ways. BET Networks remains committed to providing fresh, culturally-unique and issues-

targeted public affairs programming. Whether it's a heartbreaking short film about HIV/AIDS or a new public service announcement featuring today's hottest celebrities supporting healthy lifestyles, the cable network through the Rap- It-Up campaign consistently exhibits innovative ways to educate its viewers on the important health and social issues impacting young adults today.