The Iraq War and the Reason to Fight

The Iraq war, started during the Bush era, was a war filled with misconceptions and innocent deaths. The media sometimes bloated the facts, and sometimes the government ignored things it shouldn't have. The majority of American people were misinformed, and misunderstand what was really happening.

The war began in 2003, after the US invaded with the goal of toppling the dictator's regime. Saddam Hussein was a leader who used fear to remain in power. The US needed to justify going into Iraq, so somehow americans were lead to believe that the Iraqi government had chemical weapons. America couldn't allow this, so we needed to go in there and get them out. In reality, after the war we found out that there wasn't any chemical weapons, and there never had been. The war lasted for over 8 years, however it didn't take very long at all to get Hussein out of office. He disappeared, but was eventually found hiding, and was given a "show trial" and then killed. However, America couldn't just leave. If they did, the situation would only get worse. They needed to remain in Iraq as the people worked to set up a democratic government. But, that meant that bloodshed would continue. After all, we were still in the land that we had invaded, and some civilians wanted us out.

There is an important question that the Iraq war leads us to, in the modern world with technology and instant media, what has changed about war? In the past, as far back as ancient times, war was used to gain power, land, and resources. It was expected that you go in, slaughter every man you see, and take their gold, land, and wives as your own. War was something that the ancient economies were hinged on. The governments and states of Ancient Rome relied on the gold that was brought back in order to stay in power. Also, war is what decided the boundary lines. Rome started as a small city-state and grew into one of the largest empires of the ancient world. One key aspect was that civilians of the past didn't get to see the atrocities of war, unless they were being attacked. They didn't see the murder of an innocent child playing in the street. They didn't feel the fear chunning inside them as the ground started to throb with the sound of horses charging. The people who were protected by the larger and more powerful government never knew of the war crimes and torture. However, now we can. America is absolutely one of the safest places to live. I have never, NEVER, been in the midst of a battle. But, I can see videos online taken by a person who is in a war. I can watch a soldier talk about the terrible things he had to do, and how it has destroyed him inside. I can read the stories of people who I will never get a chance to meet, but who have survived things I pray I never have to encounter.

War has changed. No longer is it used to win a lady or some gold, rather it is used for politics and safety. Now, war must be justified. The people demand a reason to allow the bloodshed of others. While it may not be as widely reported, every person, at least deep down inside them, feels that war means innocent dying. When is it okay for us as Americans to allow that to happen? One answer is that it is okay when government says that it is a humanitarian act. However, war will always result in the deaths of many of the people that we are trying to help. War tears apart cities, families, and takes years to rebuild from. Even minor conflicts result in years and money needed to repair the damage, and there is always the emotional damage that no one can repair. Perhaps another answer is that the only time America should get involved is when another country is killing the innocent, when there is a mass genocide and the 'bad guys' don't care who dies. That does seem like an option, but does that mean that there are no times a countries people needs the current regime ousted, or needs help even when they aren't being killed already? There is no easy answer for war. There is no humanitarian war, but there are humanitarian reasons that we fight it.

Some say that we won the Iraq War. Some are wrong. Yes, we did get rid of Saddam Hussein, but did we gain anything? We were left with billions of dollars in the debt and american soldiers dead. We didn't get rid of chemical weapons because there never were any. We didn't stop communism. We are responsible for the of thousands of Iraqi civilians who are now dead. We are responsible for the damage we did in Iraq, and I don't think that getting rid of the dictator justifies all of that. No one won in Iraq, people only lost. Lost a loved one, lost their house, lost their life. I am not sure that in this modern world we can really say who wins and who looses. We like things to be simple, and like in our comic books, we root for the good guys and cower from the bad. But, who are the good guys and who are the bad? Is it the people who the americans are fighting? Perhaps for us that is the case. But for the children who learn to raise their arms in defeat before they learn to speak, is that the case? There isn't a good side and a bad side. There are just two sides, duking it out, and the people who are stuck in the middle.

My Youth Culture

Youth Culture. I have spent the past school year studying cultures from the past 75 years. Youth culture from the 70's, Pop culture from the 80's, and high culture of the 50's are things that I have all spend time looking into and studying. But now, it is time for my to look at myself, my generation, my culture. What do I and my friends spend time doing? How do those 5-10 years older than me differ, and what sets my generation apart. I look back on the '70's, '80's and '90's, and can make generalizations about youth in that time. What will my children, grandchildren, and future generations remember of me? How will they generalize my generations lifestyle? It is now time for me to take an in-depth look at myself. It is time to talk about my Youth Culture.

First came computers, then came the Internet, and then came Social Media. A new form of communication and interaction at a technological level. The unique thing about Social Media is that, since it everything is so instant, what was cool yesterday may be a platform that is mocked tomorrow. For example, early forms include things like MySpace and AOL Instant Messenger that are now considered the extinct ancestors of modern media. Even Facebook, created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, is starting to lose to other new forms of virtual interaction. Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Twitter, YikYak and many, many others are all examples of popular media platforms that most everybody uses. Social Media is way to connect with everyone, from friends to acquaintances. I can share my life with anyone who will lend an ear to hear.

While there is valid criticism about the constant use of Social Media, and the instant connection we can have with those around us, I think it is important to note that it isn't usually from the youth. You don't hear 25 year-olds complaining about how they can share little snapshots of their life with their friends. It is usually the parents, those 40+ people, who voice their concern with it. The reason that the youth don't have issues with it is because it is all we have known. I have always had access to the internet, to Google, Youtube (although filtered), and to Media. I don't know what is it like to live without being able to just shoot a quick message to my friend. It is difficult for me to imagine a world without this. It is difficult for my peers to, as well. We have not known a world without Media, Computers, and Internet. This is why we don't really see the problem. It is our parents and grandparents, the previous generations, who see the issue. They know what it was like without it, they spent the majority of their life without it. They know what we can lose because of it. While I admit that many of the problems that people have with Social Media are very valid, I am noting that it isn't the youth who usually see it. We may agree, but we certainly won't ever give it up.

A very key piece of media in my generation is Youtube. This is because so many pop icons are now coming from this platform. Justin Bieber originated on Youtube and was turned into a major pop star. Even T.V. shows utilize Youtube. Music shows like The Voice and The X-Factor upload clips from the show because many people will just want to hear one song, or see just one performance. Likewise, late-night shows like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon sometimes will try to create certain parts of the show that air on television, but also are meant to go viral online. Aside from just television on Youtube, there is now a whole new form of celebrity. They are not actors, singers, or politicians. Rather, Youtube stars are people who have skill, personality and creativity that they share with the internet. Whether it be a weird quirk, strange skill, or impressive talent, they all share people. From vlogging to short videos where they talk about something important, they can share what they want, and they can gain popularity and reach a near celebrity status. There is a more dangerous, dark side to Youtube that cannot be ignored. One can easily and accidentally end up clicking on a pornographic, or just down right gross video that they don't want to see. Youtube can be dangerous, but I think some people don't take into consideration that simply using the internet can be dangerous. You are just as likely to find some terrible thing on Google as you are on Youtube. Even with the risks, Youtube must be recognized as something that not only has changed the way my generation looks at fame, but also the has changed the way we enjoy visual media.

Social Media is something that will be remembered by the generations to come. It is not going away, and I think, like with the invention of the wheel and cotton candy, history will smile back on its creation. However, another way that I think history will remember my Youth Culture is how we label ourselves. From being 'Basic' to being a Potterhead, my generation labels itself, and not in the way people over the past 30 years have. No longer are there the prepsters, Emos, and other classic subcultures, but rather there are a few shining ones that will be remembered. First, 'Basic' people. The group of people who follow the safe trends. Girls are often associated with things like Starbucks (specifically loving the Pumpkin Spice Lattes), Iphones, Uggs and scarfs. They follow what they know, and what is safe. I tend to believe that every person in my generation has a little bit of a 'Basic' person in themselves. A second subculture that I will be remembered really started with the creation of Social Media like Tumblr. The Fandoms. Now, if you read or watch something, you can follow people who also love the same things as you. Every fandom has a name. For example, the Harry Potter fandom is filled with people called 'Potterheads'. People who are in fandoms are often considered Nerdy and Geeky. Attributes of these people are: 'Shipping' characters, feeling all the feels, writing fan-fics, buying T-shirts, having strong theories and ideas about back stories, and just loving a book.

So, looking at my culture, and thinking about how history will remember us, I think the biggest thing that has happened is Social Media. It completely changed how we interact and how what is acceptable. I think that the future generations will see us as a bunch of basic people, who were the guinea pigs for the future. We are the people who are testing out Social Media and the amazing, ever changing and growing technology we have. And while I am sure that many past generations thought the same thing as me, I think that my Youth Culture is cutting a path for those to follow. I am the start of the future. That is how I want to be remembered.
 

Yes, I can tell you exactly what each represent.

The 1990's

With every decade that passes, a legacy is left behind. Each decade is looked back on with laughs, groans, and memories. The 1990's was a growing time for America and Britain as both faced new issues that increased technology and a issues never before faced caused.

First, Princess Diana died in a tragic car accident in 1997. Fleeing the ever intrusive Paparazzi, the "People's Princess" crashed in a tunnel after a night in Paris. News of this death shocked the world. The public was dismayed that a celebrity, who they loved and felt a strong connection with, was no longer around. Her relationship with the Royal Family wasn't never the best. She divorced Prince Charles after finding out he had been having an affair for a long time. This was not a popular decision among her royal relatives. Along with that, she made several rude comments about the inner workings of the family. The 2006 film, The Queen, depicts the difficulty of family, especially the Queen, to handle the situation and the demands of the public. Eventually, British Royal Protocol was broken. The family returned to London, where Queen Elizabeth made a live statement to the people.

Another big issue in the late 1990's, leading into 2000, was the Y2K scare. As technology progressed, and computers began to dominate every part of our society, a fear began to sprout that once the year 2000 hit, there would be a mass technology meltdown. While the intricate details of the potential meltdown were somewhat confusing, basically scientists wondered that a sudden change in the ascending numbers (going from 98, 99, to 00) would result in the computer system no longer working. The Internet had only been around for a little bit, but the technology had been around long enough most everything ran on computers. There was a fear that if it stopped working, people would not be able to get the things necessary for survival. Some even feared an apocalyptic sort of tragedy. Stocking up on anything from grain to guns, there was genuine fear and terror among many people. However, looking back, we know that nothing major did happen. While there were a few errors, they were all minor. Some stores had their credit-card machines stop working, and had to rely on cash transactions, but there were no serious consequences of the scare.

Finally, there were some classic pieces of pop culture created in the 1990's. From movies like Clueless, to television shows like Friends and Fresh Prince of Bel Air, pop culture in the 90's is often remembered by many. References are still generally caught by most 25+ people. The website BuzzFeed commonly makes short videos were people do or talk about something that was popular in the 90's. A recent video contained people trying Lunchables as adults. Created in 1988, the prepackaged meals usually contained snack foods like crackers and meat and cheese, along with a desert and a drink. They were popular in the 90's. People in the video recalled their friends eating Lunchables, and how you would've been a cool kid if you brought one to school. I have tried the 'meals' before, and thought it was a special treat to get as a little kid. Lunchables is just one example of a popular thing from one decade, that trickles into the next.

The 1990's were packed with events, both tragic and strange. Pop culture from the time, from movies to meals, are still referenced in today's current culture. I am too young to remember any of the 90's, but I was born at the start of the end. The first month of the last year. I am from that decade of learning and changing, and I can learn from the 90's; from the Queen whose people led her to break the rules, and from the citizens who feared the meltdown. Everyone can learn from the past, and even the past which is not all too distant.

The Bosnian War

The Bosnian War, which took place in the early 1990's, was a bloody war that resulted in millions of deaths. There were war criminals, crimes against men, women and children, and there was mass-genocide of Muslims. Taking place in countries that formerly made up Yugoslavia, the Croatians, Bosnians, and Serbs fought in a war that is called by some a most "gruesome mistake." 

(What used to be) Yugoslavia

After Political conflicts in Yugoslavia in the late 80's, ethnic-conflicts that had remained smoothed by the old dictator of the country once again wrinkled. General Tito died in 1980. He had previously held a doctrine of silencing all forms of Nationalism. He would remind every country that they must remain united. However, as soon as he was gone, Nationalistic propaganda began cropping up in Serbia and Croatia. Do to this and a government that was much more tolerant of this idea, issues blossomed. Nationalism is what caused the mass genocide of Muslim-Bosniaks. 

Due to years of these little countries being united in Yugoslavia, there had been a great mixing between the ethnic groups. While traditionally Serbians were Orthodox, Croats were Catholic, and Bosnians were Orthodox and also Muslim, Croats might marry Bosnians, or Serbs might marry Croats, ect. However, during the war, there was a call to remove all of the Muslim-bosniaks from Bosnia. While Serbs consider it a Civil-war, Croats and Bosniaks called it genocide. While Croats recognized it as not-a-civil-war, they still didn't step in to help stop the murder. An estimated 82% of the civilians killed were muslims. Aside from the shootings and battles fought in cities, there were also concentration camps that people were put into. These camps were horrendous in conditions, with women being put into Rape-camps. Personally, the thought of something like this happening is absolutely terrifying. All this was due to the idea spreading idea of extreme Nationalism. 

A city destroyed by the war

The war lasted from 1992-95. The bloodshed continued until finally NATO dropped bombs and stepped to help. It didn't officially end until the leaders of the countries met in Ohio, USA and signed a peace agreement. Still, the effects of the war lingered on. Men who had been in the concentration camps were given money, and land, and a way to recover and get on their feet. However, women had nothing given to them. These women who had everything, including their dignity, striped from them were not recognized by the government. They were not given a way to recover, a way to take care of the children that had come as a result of these camps. In fact, many children were born, and many were abandoned or left at orphanages, while other mothers kept their child but hid the truth from them. It wasn't until many brave women shared stories, or wrote books about the truth, which in turn caused many people to get involved, that the government finally had to grant them help. Likewise, cities were destroyed, and needed to be rebuilt. There were, and still are, lingering problems, like ghosts of the past, that needed to be taken care of. 

The Bosnian war was caused by extreme Nationalism in former Yugoslavian countries that led to a springing up of ethnic issues that eventually turned into a full scale genocide of Muslim-Bosniaks. There were leaders convicted of numerous, terrible war-crimes. There were people broken by the war: civilians who lost loved ones, ethnic groups who were nearly destroyed. However, the people are rebuilding. Twenty year have gone by, and it seems like many are forgiving the old grudges, and once again mixing groups. While Yugoslavia no longer exists, the unity the countries once shared is now overpowering the hatred they all used to have. 

Oral History, Passionate History

History is commonly thought of as boring. This is because the way many students think of history is so and so did such and such on this this date and as a result.... But history is more than dates, names, and consequences. Everything that has happened in the past has changed individual people, and whole societies. Oral history is saving and learning about historical events by interviewing individuals who either caused something to happen, or who was immediately affected by the actions. In the 1980's, there were many events that changed the world, both for better and for worse. 

Chernobyl: 

Chernobyl was a nuclear power plant in Ukraine that experienced a devastating accident in 1986. One of the reactors exploded due to an unexpected power surge. There was a series of explosions, and as the dangerous energy escaped, the town of Pripyat was in trouble. Pripyat was home to around 50,000 people; the majority of which worked at Chernobyl. The lives of those people were forever changed, and I got to learn about it through interviews I watched.

The people of Pripyat loved their town. One older women said that it was filled with roses, and because everyone loved the roses so much, no one would pick even a petal from the precious blossoms. The people were happy where they were, and they were proud of their plant. Pretty much everyone from the town was somehow connected to Chernobyl, whether they worked there as an engineer or manager, or delivered food for the workers. Chernobyl and Pripyat were deeply connected, as one relied on the other. The people of the town needed Chernobyl for energy, and Chernobyl needed the people from the town in order to work. After the explosion, and the extremely large amounts of radiation that leaked, it was critical that the residents of Pripyat evacuate. Uprooted, broken, confused and lost, the people needed another place to live. The government constructed a new city for the people, and every year they remember the disaster with a candle lit walk.

Now, as the people interviewed recalled the accident, it brought tears to many of their eyes. The past can be a painful thing. One girl was very young, and her father died because of the accident. One old man was working as an engineer when it happened, and sprang came to eyes as he said he felt broken, and like he no longer had a purpose; that there was no use for him anymore. Now, Pripyat is an abandoned, broken down, ghost city. People are still working on cleaning up the radiation. While they have made great progress, it is not expected to be finished before 2064.

The abandoned ghost town: Pripyat

The Berlin Wall: 

While the Berlin Wall separated East and West Germany, Russia's leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, had a lot to do with bringing it down. The wall was built in 1961 and divided East and West Germany. It seemed to sprout up overnight, with little warning. It left families separated, and East German citizens stuck  with the strict, freedom strangling government. For 28 years, the only way people could get to West Germany was by smuggling their way out. There were many interesting, creative, and dangerous ideas that people come up with in order to escape. One way was to dig tunnels under the wall. Using these cramped, small tunnels, people could smuggle themselves to the other side. I read two stories about men who both used tunnels to escape, and continued to help others make their way to West Germany. However, there were many reasons that this was a bad idea. First, rain and flooding could wash out the tunnels. Second, the tunnels were so small, and sometimes hard to fit through. Finally, in both the stories I read there was someone who was an informer. This resulted in many people being sent to jail for multiple years.

Escaping via tunnels

Oral History: 

There was a difference I noticed between the two Oral Histories I studied. The video documentary allowed me to watch, hear, and sense the peoples reactions to the questions asked. It enabled me to feel the passion, the pain. There is more to communication than simply words. The movement of the hand, the intensity of the gaze and where it is directed. The pounding of a fist on a table, the speaking through tears. Oral history is about understanding and capturing the tormenting agony of painful memories, or the unspeakable joy and happiness the good memories. With this is communication of the past I was able to get more of the realness of Chernobyl. On the other hand, I read the stories about those who suffered the Berlin Wall. When you read, it is difficult to truly understand the emotion behind each word. There was the actual interviews on the side of the stories, and I listened to a little bit of the each. While it was in German, I was surprised with how much it flushed out stories. I could note the inflection in a voice and the pauses of a speaker.

I enjoy Oral History because I can feel each event. I get more than a so and so did this and that and it caused such and such a result. I can better understand the event because it becomes real through Oral History. No longer is Chernobyl just an explosion at a nuclear power plant in 1986. Rather, it was a tragic thing, that caused real people, people just like me, to have there whole lives changed in a matter of minutes. They must live with the burden and consequences for years, and that is the true story. This is why Oral History is important.

Back To the Future

1985. 1955. Both of these years represent the middle of an era; a past era. However, in the movie, Back to The Future, 1985 was the present, and 1955 was the past. This gives people viewing the movie today the unique experience of being able to see two different times in America, and how Hollywood portrayed them.

When studying a the culture of a society in history, one important thing to look at is how a society views itself, both in the past and the present. Back to the Future is a great tool to use when studying our culture in the 1980's because it enables us to see how Americans thought of themselves in the 1950's during the 1980's. Now, thirty years into the future, see we can also see how we they of themselves in the 80's and compare it to how Americans now see that decade. In Back to Future, we can see both the 80's, and also get a humorous look back at the 50's.

Even though the movie takes a satirical approach to the past by poking fun at stereotypes and such, it does get a few things right about the 1950's. One thing that is absolutely correct is the fashion. The style of all the people from the 50's in the movie matches with real, historical fashion. For example, the clothes of Marty's young mom, Lorraine, would have been very trendy in the 50's. The length was at about her knees, and most of her dresses had collars, were simple in pattern, and pastel colors. Likewise, the young George McFly, while timid, also was fashionably dressed for the time. He often wore suspenders with a white dress shirt, and bow tie. Both Lorraine and George's hair was stylish, matching with the fashion of the 50's. However, one thing that perhaps the movie got 'wrong' was that they took some stereotypes to the extreme to make humor out of it. One stereotype that, while hilarious, was not entirely right, was the idea that everyone was fixated on and scared of aliens. In the 1950's, sci-fi was gaining popularity. With the movie The Thing From Another World being arguably the biggest sci-fi hit of the 50's, and Doctor Who beginning it's first season in '53, the idea of life on other planets was just becoming really popular. However, I think it was blown out of proportion in the movie. Ironically, it wasn't until the 1980's, when Star Wars came out, that pop culture really started turning toward the skies and wondering what was out there. 

Life was very different in the 50's as opposed to the 80's, but at the same time, it was very similar. While they may not have had their walkmans, skateboards, nice televisions, and such advances in technology, teenagers still interacted in very similar ways in 1955. There was still school, dances, parties and relationships. In fact, at the beginning of the movie, Lorraine tells her son that in her day, girls never chased after boys. However, Marty finds out that his young mother definitely chased after guys she liked. Life for teenagers, without taking into account technology and the like, was very similar. But, if you do take into account technology, life changes. In the 80's, video game consoles were very popular, and kids started being able to play video games in their free time, along with watching T.V. and listening to music on their personal Walkmans. But in the 50's, kids didn't have this luxury.  So, life in the 50's and the 80's was different, but as far as interactions between people and teenagers, it was very similar. 

Now, between 1985 and 2015, another thirty years, but into the future, we can look back and see the differences in life. There has been more change in this era, than between 1985 and 1955. This is not because we have new ways to spend our free time, but it is because the way we interact with other people has changed has so much. Since the introduction of texting, interaction between teenagers has changed dramatically. Now we don't have to meet up or even use our voices to communicate with each other. We can just type a message to someone and it is instantly available to them. We can ALWAYS reach our friends now-24/7. In the 80's you could call each other, but even that is different than texting. What we do in our free time is still very much the same, play video games, watch movies, ect. But, the way humans interact has changed so much since the 80's, it is mindboggling. 

It's insane.

Back to the Future, an exciting movie in which a teenager from 1985 travels back in time to 1955, offers a humorous look at the differences in life between the three decades. The movie did a great job at portraying the 50's, but at times the stereotypes were to an extreme. It also portrayed the 80's fashion and ideas that a teenager would've participated in. The movie was fun and humorous, and through my laughter I was able to thoroughly enjoy Back to the Future. 

The 1980's

The 1980's are remembered as a time of big hair and big change. While most people who didn't live through the time tend to only think of the unique fashion and hair, those who were young during that time remember it for that and also for all the change that happened. My mom's older sister, Chiara (Dahl) Glut was born in early 1974, and remembers the decade as she grew into a young adult.

Life for a young Teenager in the 1980's

Chiara grew up in a more conservative family, but that didn't stop her from attempting to keep up with the fashion of the time. "We (referring to her and my mom) were definitely not fresh and forward, but we certainly tried." Peg leg jeans and side ponies were something she remembered were her style. She also remembered being a cheerleader and always trying to get the Boof Bangs. "The girls would tease, and put in Aquanet, tease and put in Aquanet. Everyone had Aquanet. But because my hair was so curly it would never stay." 

"Peg Leg Look"

Music during the 1980's is one thing that everyone thinks of. It had been about 30 years since the boy-bands of the 50's, and music had kept changing and growing. Chiara loved her music. She remembered listening to Top 40 radio and the Oldies stations which played hits from the 50's onward. 

"EVERYONE had Aquanet."

My aunt had two jobs in the '80's. First, when she was around 11, her family started doing paper routes. I am always hearing fun stories of the paper route times from my mom, and other extended family. She did this until she was 15. Then, in 1989, she started working at Wendy's. 

Major Events Through the Eyes of a Young Teenager

In the decade of the 1980's, there were many major, memorable events. These included the explosion of the Challenger, the peace agreement between Russia and America, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, and the Aids epidemic. Teenagers had a unique perspective on these events, as my Aunt shared. 

I asked if the Aids epidemic was as big of a deal as the media portrayed it. "Yes, absolutely." She said that it caused widespread panic because people were dying of this strange, new disease. "You have to understand that we couldn't just Google anything we heard to verify if it was true. There were many rumors that would get spread around because we didn't have quick access to check anything. We got our news through the nightly updates, and church bulletins like Focus on the Family." She commented that because the disease caused disfigurement, it was obvious to others and the pictures struck a chord with everyone. They would wonder, "Could this happen to me?" Because it was known that it came from Homosexual people, there was a "...fear of contamination. No one knew how it spread, so everyone was scared to be around Homosexual people." Aids ended up killing over 100,000 in the 80's, and while now it is not as big of a problem, it still takes the life of many. 

The Crew of the Challenger

Finally, the cold war and the tearing down of the Berlin Wall were probably the most momentous events of the '80's to my aunt. Looking back, she said that Reagan's biggest accomplishment of his presidency was putting a strong face on the U.S. In her opinion, by attempting Star Wars, and trying to focus on defense rather than offence, he took off the Russian's mask. No longer could they try to say they were keeping up with us technologically, as my aunt said, "In reality, Russia's economy was in shambles." But, she also made a very interesting point, "I don't know if you can fully comprehend just how big the presence of the Cold War was in our lives. To us, Russia was truly evil and would like nothing more than to 'nook the whole US. I don't know if there really is anything comparable to it for your generation." And, without my even asking, she mentioned the fall of the Berlin Wall. She talked about how emotional it was; how seeing them tear it down peice by peice, this thing that had haunted them, was amazing. She said that was one of the most memorable things from that decade, and represented so much. 

"Tear down this wall!" 

Conclusion

The 1980's are looked back on by me and my peers as, well, somewhat insane. The hair, the make-up and fashion; the music and the movies; but what we often forget is the importance of that decade, all the things that happened, all things our society learned. From the agony of loss, to the relief of conquering ghosts, to the sorrow of disease, to the burden of war and the joy of peace; this is what the '80's should be remembered as. While we make fun and joke around about the time, we also should realize that aside from the interesting, the 1980's was a decade of learning, of change, and of progress. 

Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears

Living in Moscow is very different than living in the US. One major difference is housing. In Moscow, there is a system of "Communal Living," where multiple people or families share an apartment or dorm room. These are typically available and assigned based on job, income and other factors. While this created a community culture in Moscow, it also created many issues such as jealously, obvious differences between the classes, and pride issues. This communal life is shown in the movie Moscow Doesn't Believe In Tears, which was released in 1980. 

Katerina is a young, working class girl in 1958. She was trying to get into a school where she could study chemistry and make a better life for herself. She had just failed the exams and had a year to study and take them again. She lived in a single room dorm with two other girls who would become her closest friends throughout life. One of her roommates, named Antonia, was dating a nice, working class man, whom she eventually married. However, the other girl, Lyudmila, is obsessed with playing 'the game' and trying to marry into the higher class. She wanted the money, the big apartment, the nice clothes, and a big shot husband. She was only interested in men who had a title like scientist, philosopher, sports hero. Those were the men who had what she wanted, so she tried her best to make sure they didn't know where she actually lived, and what her lifestyle was. One day, Katerina's aunt and uncle took a long vacation and asked Katerina to move into their apartment. Well, Katerina's uncle was a famous professor and had a very large, very nice apartment that they didn't have to share with anyone. While they are gone, Lyudmila convinces Katerina to pretend that they were sisters and they were the professor's daughters. She wanted to act like they were people who had the money and a house. Skeptical, Katerina was hesitant to agree, but eventually was talked into it. Lyudmila invited many 'big-shot' men over for a party, with the plan that once the two girls paired up and got the men to fall in love with them, they would share the truth. Lyudmila meets a nice Hockey player while Katerina falls for a T.V. camera man named Anton. Unfortunately, while Anton still doesn't know the truth about Katerina, he got her pregnant. Then, he accidentally found out about her job, her not being the professors daughter, and her being pregnant. He refused to help and left her. Meanwhile, Lyudmila got engaged to the hockey player and Antonia got married. Then Katerina had her baby, and while trying to juggle caring for Alexandra and studying for her acceptance test, being tired, stressed, and desperate, she cried herself to sleep. 

Flash forward about 17 years. Katerina is a successful, leader in her job. She lives in a nice apartment with her late teens-daughter. She is committed to her job, and it is obvious that it got her a lot. However, she is lonely. She hasn't married. Lyudmila, now divorced from her famous, hockey-playing-turned-alcoholic husband, is still beautiful and still looks for her 'big-shot' man to marry. No longer living in a dormitory, but an apartment a little smaller than Katerina, it is obvious that she too has worked hard to get her house. And Antonia is still happily married and has had 3 children, however they are cramped in a small apartment. One day, after visiting with Antonia, Katerina takes the train home and meets a mysterious, attractive, man. He offers to give her a ride home and then two days later ends up at her house. He cooks dinner for her and Alexandra, and then asks Katrina to marry him. Surprised, she doesn't really know how to respond. He says that they will go for a picnic with his friends on Sunday and that she can give her answer to him on Wednesday. On Sunday she goes to the picnic and falls in love with the mysterious man, Georgiy. They are set to get married, and they both love each other very much. One night, Georgiy helps Alexandra take care of some guys who were bothering her by fighting with them. Katerina raised her voice and demanded that he ask her before doing such a thing again. He agreed, but said that if she ever raised her voice and talked to him like that, he would never come back. Cue Anton, Alexandra's father. Suddenly meeting Katerina, he asks to meet Alexandra. Katrina refuses, saying that he did nothing for her as a child, and she is now an adult. He doesn't listen, and tracks down there home and comes in during dinner one night. Georgiy goes to leave, and Katerina panics and raised her voice and commanded him to stay. After he leaves, she cried, knowing that he would not return. As her friends tried to comfort her, Antonia's husband looked for Georgiy, and after finding him insisted that he return. The movie ends with a happy, content, early-40's Katerina sitting with Georgiy and Alexandra around the dinner table. 

Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears shows the struggles of living in Moscow. If you had the money, you had it nice. If you didn't, it was a struggle. One thing that Communal Living did for Moscow was promote a culture of community. With the tight spaces you had to get to know those living with you. In dormitories it was like a chain, you knew your roommates best, then there were the other girls living in other rooms in your hall, then on your level, then in your building. Everyone knew one another. This was nice because it made friends, but it also made enemies. 

The downside to Communal Living in Moscow is that inevitably there will be disputes. In a small apartment, there could be two or three families living together. There is little privacy, as it has been reported that people will eavesdrop and spy. It is unlikely that any personal issue would stay a secret, as there may be only a curtain dividing you from someone else. There also are cases of stealing, anything from food to clothes disappearing. Sometimes there may be two families claiming one thing belongs to them. These disputes are normal, as people don't get to choose who they live with. It is assigned. Unlike in the state, where some friends might go in on a house or apartment together and live as roommates, the government decides who you are with. Since you don't own the space you can't say "No smoking," or "No pets." For all you know the person living with you could be a person with serious criminal history. There are both pros and cons to Communal Living in Moscow, but it does seem like the bad outweigh the good. 

I believe that what the film Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears showed about Communal Living is fairly accurate. It showed the struggles of the classes, the want for something better, the work and time it took to get it, and some of the issues that it caused. I think it showed what all Moscowians dreamed of - a big house, a good job, and privacy. It was an enjoyable film to watch that helped me to grasp the concept of Communal Living in Moscow, both the struggles and peace that it brought. 

Alibaba and Globalization (1980's)

Alibaba and 40 Thieves, or Alibaba Aur 40 Chor is a Hindi/USSR film released in 1980. Taking an old story that had been passed through the generations and putting it into a film. The tale of Alibaba, a poor man who stumbles upon the magical cave of the rich king of 40 bandits, Abu Hassan, it exciting and compelling. However, it is also a great example of the Globalization that was happening at that time.

During the late 70's, early 80's, technology had suddenly grown and  transportation of goods and people had become so much easier.  This led to a speeding up of the process of Globalization. Basically, it is when cultures all over the world mix. For example, during the 70's and 80's, it was cheaper to make many products in countries like China and Taiwan, and ship them to America. The price of labor was so much less. Because of that, there was a mixing of cultures. Now, the results of Globalization can be seen everywhere. Even in 3rd World Countries you can buy the I <3 New York Shirts, and can have access to some level of technology. Another example is how McDonalds' can be found EVERYWHERE in the world. There are pros and cons to Globalization, such as access to better and more safe lifestyles, but also there is sometimes a loss in the folk culture. However, now that the cat is out of the bag, it is too late to stop it.

Alibaba and The 40 Thieves is a good example of how globalization affected the traditional cinema of Hindi Films. While it still has the songs and dance numbers, the music has changed slightly, as well as other hints of a change in culture. The music sounds more 'pop' than before. It is obviously still Indian, but it has a disco sound to it. Disco never really left India, but the movie Alibaba Aur 40 Chor is one of the first movies that really had a strong disco influence in the music.

Another thing that I noticed that didn't really fit with India was that the main religion of the movie was not Hindu, but rather Islam. While a lot of Muslims lived in India, the movies made usually contained a strong Transcendental worldview, typically in the form of Hinduism. That was not the case in Alibaba and the 40 Thieves. There were many times the characters talked about Allah, which is Islams god. Also, the heroine who kills the king of the bandits, Abu Hassan, forces him to say, "Allah is god, and Muhammad is his prophet." What is so intriguing about this is how Islam isn't even all that similar to Hinduism. Islam is considered a Theistic worldview, that believes in one god. Hinduism (again, the traditional Indian-Bollywood film religion) is a Transcendental worldview that worships many gods. In my opinion, this still falls under the banner of Globalization even though Islam had been present in India for a long time. It was still a very significant change in what the culture was watching in the pop media.

"Get ready to face Allah."

Finally, would Russians enjoy this film? Made by both India and the USSR, I think some would enjoy it. There wasn't a ton of stuff that would appeal to the average Russian as far as any Russian culture, but there is nothing that would offend anyone. However, the two main women in the movie were both very strong characters. There were weak. One lived through captivity by large group of men who assaulted her, she also took a knife to save Alibaba, and tried to save her father. The other was also captured and sold as a slave, but Alibaba loved her and bought her back. This I think would appeal to Russians, as in their culture women were very respected.  Another thing that is important to note, that there a happy ending in this movie, and only one of the main characters die. I am pretty sure that part came did not come from the Russians..... :)

Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, or Alibaba and The 40 Thieves was a film that took the old folk tale of the poor Alibaba who stumbled upon the magical cave the rich bandit, and turned it into a classic Indian movie. The rapid Globalization of the world, and the mixing of cultures during the time this movie was released can be clearly seen by those watching. The movie was a mix of old folk culture, and new pop culture that turned it into a blockbuster.

Whhaatttt??? USSR must not have had a say in the ending.

Star Wars and the Generation Gap

There are certain types of pop culture that turn into classics. References to them are recognized by pretty much everyone. One of the classic examples of this is the Star Wars series. The first movie, or the fourth instalment, was released in 1977 and triggered 5 more movies over the next 15 years. Even now, nearly 30 years after the release of the first movie, America is greatly anticipating a seventh movie that releases at the end of this year. When it was released it was one of the finest technical movies to that date, and used advanced CGI (Computer Generated Imaging). Now, of course, we laugh at the simplicity of such technology, and how obviously old it is. But, Star Wars still managed to become extremely present in Pop Culture. However, besides just being a great story, and a popular movie for movie buffs everywhere to geek out about, Star Wars: A New Hope, is a great illustration for the Generation Gap theory, as it came out right in the middle of a time of great change, and contains characters who display personality traits that were similar to certain American Generations. These characters include Luke, Han Solo, Obi Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and Luke's Uncle - Owen.

Before 1977, there were really four generations that each of these characters fit into, and they each show different traits, some show things from two generations. First, Luke is pretty young, probably in his late teens when the first movie was released. They are brother and sister and pretty similar. Luke tends to be very critical of what other people are doing. For example, when on the Millennium Falcon for the first time, he questions everything the Han does. He wants an adventure, but when Obi Wan asks him to go with him to Tatooine, he refused saying he needed to stay and help his uncle. He questioned if he could be of any help. With this information, I believe that Luke's personality would place him with Generation X. On the other hand, Hans Solo is a few years older than Luke. He is pretty self-centered, and worked alot on his star ship. His personality would place him with the Baby Boomers. However, there one trait of Baby Boomers that he strongly does not fit in with: He is not optimistic, and isn't really that team-oriented. But, there are always outliers in generations as not everyone is the same. Now, as for Obi Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader and Uncle Owen, I would consider all of them to be from The Greatest Generation. However, I do think Uncle Owen was more of one of the people who was born in the transition time between then and the Silent Generation. Both Darth Vader and Obi Wan were serious fighters, and fought assertively. They knew their minds and had standards of what was right and wrong. They were Jedi's, and pretty epic. Obi Wan was loyal to the Jedi's. Uncle Own on the other hand showed the traits from the Greatest Generation of a strong work ethic, and not stopping working until he physically couldn't. However, from the Silent generation he displayed discipline and didn't want to fight much.

Every American generation related to technology, music, and conflict in a different way. The characters in Star Wars were no different. Each one reacted differently and uniquely, and some didn't react in the movie, but based on their generation I will make an educated guess. First, let's look at their reactions to technology.

Star Wars takes place in the future, where technology is even more advanced than it is now. People whiz around in hovercrafts and hyper-jump to lightspeed. Still, the characters react differently to their tech. Han Solo, of course, continually played with the technology of his ship to improve it. He loved the higher tech, like the guns, and got frustrated with Obi Wan's insistence of using his old fashioned light saber. Obi Wan knew how to use the technology, but prefered the gracefulness of his sabor. On the other hand, Luke was open to any technology. He was just as excited by the hovercraft as he was with the light saber. Darth Vader used both old and new tech. He used his light saber, and he was proud of the Death Star. Finally, Uncle Owen used his old fashioned farming tool, and bought used (stolen) droids to assist him. He fixed it up, which is similar to the trait from The Greatest Generation of "use it up, fix it up, make it do, or do without." Technology was very important in Star Wars, because in the futuristic galaxy, you never know when you would need your blaster.

Now, as for music, we can only relate the characters based on their American generation. I have never heard any futuristic music, but if the characters were born with the generation that their personality reflected, they would definitely have had a preference. Luke and Han Solo would have had similar taste, and have grown up with the Beatles and garage bands. Luke's generation would've transitioned into the classic rock stage, with bands like Queen gaining popularity in Luke's late teens/early 20's, and he also would've been part of the Punk Rock age. However, the three older men might not have enjoyed that rock'n'roll sound as much. They would've been born in the early 1900's, and transitioned to the roaring 20's swinging music. There would've been a very large gap between what the younger boys and older men would've prefered as far as music.

Finally, each generation lived through different experiences. Those events shaped how the people would've reacted to dangerous situations and conflict. Again, you can see the differences between the character in Star Wars. Obi Wan and Darth Vader remained calm, cool and collective when they were fighting each other, or faced with a tough situation. For example, when Obi Wan and Luke were stopped by the Storm Troopers who asked about the droids, Obi Wan just used the force. Luke freaked out a little bit. Obi Wan's generation, The Greatest Generation, was one of warriors. They fought many wars, and knew how to react. Darth Vader was the same way. Han Solo was similar to Obi Wan in he didn't freak out when something happened, but he was different in that he didn't remain calm. He reacted by shooting and fighting. He wasn't always wise in situations like Obi Wan, who would think. Han was reactionary. Lastly, Luke tended to panic. He would try to make a plan, but they were rushed. He was also a little reactionary, but not as much as Han. Luke was like a bad mix of the two generations.

The Star Wars saga is a piece of pop culture that is not only fun, but also can be used to study the different American generations before the 1980's. As a classic, it is impossible to imagine that Star Wars could possibly be left behind as a piece of old pop culture. It will remain a part of our history, and a part of our present as new generations watch and enjoy with the same amount of zeal and joy as the generations before.