New Americana of the 1980s

Presenter: Briana Guzman

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Anne-Louise Dierkes

Department: English

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YoJjHkR0xQWvSvPoW8EJAx_UHnJBvds0

Abstract:
For this project, inspiration stemmed from the rise within diversification within popular culture of the 1980s and early 19980s. Specific groups I focused on were the Afro-American and Hispanic communities making their way into mainstream media. Within the analysis of pop-trends, aspects such as fashion, culture, hair, and music proved to have influence over “white” America. From L.A. to New York, the country would be rocked with a new era of pop culture and racial diversity within the media. The 1980s would soon become what I like to call the “breakout decade” where social norms were fought against and the acceptance of inclusion.