White people ruin everything.

So this section of reading really reminded us all of what we already knew, or brought up key facts of American culture that hadn't been pointed out to us yet. It also brings in some important aspect of other classes I've taken and some I'm enrolle din currently. (Especially on thoughts of white privilege and cultural studies/pedagogies). To summarize:

-The government is still controlling media...even though they tell us they aren't; pragmatism helps us understand that and protect us from it (slightly).
-Media can be a little crass, but don't worry, the government will protect us from that, too.
-Tarantino is causing all of the aggression in the world, obviously.
-We're being persuaded through media, how dare they?!
-Language is still arbitrary, and signs can get hairy because of their various meanings. (We didn't take any hints from Locke...).
-Rhetoric is everywhere, as always, even in color choices and shot choice in production.
-White men are still the best, because they still have all the cash flow.
-Culture encompasses a variety of groups; but everyone can still be marginalized.
-Our engrained ideologies limit us, normalize bad behavior and traits, privileges few, and they're everywhere.
-We're hammering down cultural hegemonies, because we think we're being benefited somehow...it's cool to fit in and spend millions on education.
-Oprah and Bill Gates are the exception, not the rule.
-Society is still trying to make EVERYONE white, and therefore "civilized".
-Advertising, like the Coke commercial from class, is everywhere, and obviously racist. What's worse is that many people give ads like that the benefit of the doubt.

In all seriousness, these are just a few examples of how media is controlled and affecting "the other". Cultural studies gives us the tools and perceptions to work against those false, engrained ideologies that dominate American culture. Because we are so accustomed to the media preaching at us, we hardly notice when we're being persuaded or being taken advantage of. But that's the beauty and the horrow of rhetoric, it's everywhere, and it's the most powerful, attainable tool that exists. Recognizing the manipulation is the first step, acting against it is the lifelong, second step.