Oppositional culture
Oppositional culture refers to a set of beliefs and practices that emerge as a response to and challenge against the dominant societal norms, often associated with marginalized or subjugated groups. These cultures, sometimes called "cultures of resistance," aim to counteract the hegemonic influences that devalue or undermine traditional practices and identities, particularly in contexts shaped by colonialism, enslavement, and systemic oppression. This cultural framework serves as a means for survival and empowerment, helping groups maintain their identity and cohesion in the face of adversity.
Research has shown that oppositional culture can be a vital strategy for those who are excluded from formal avenues of power, allowing them to navigate and resist the negative impacts of sociocultural dominance. For instance, within various racial and ethnic communities in the United States, practices of oppositional culture are seen as reinforcing solidarity and fostering a distinct identity separate from mainstream culture. Additionally, cultural expressions such as rap music illustrate this resistance, conveying messages of distrust and anger while providing a platform for voicing opposition to societal expectations. In contemporary discussions, the concept is increasingly explored in relation to disparities in education and employment opportunities, highlighting its relevance in ongoing social justice efforts.
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Oppositional culture
Oppositional culture refers to a system of beliefs and practices that challenge the dominant way of life. Also referred to as “cultures of resistance,” these systems counter hegemonic and dominating ways of life experienced by subjugated groups. They often include aspects of a traditional culture that have been devalued or partially destroyed. Thus, they serve to enhance the survival of social groupings under the conditions of colonialism, enslavement, and other forms of racial or ethnic oppression.
In their study of racial and ethnic groups in the United States, sociologists Bonnie Mitchell and Joe Feagin found oppositional culture to be a powerful survival tool for groups blocked from formal avenues of power and influence. They found that these practices temper the negative effects of sociocultural dominance, reaffirm a sense of peoplehood, and distinguish the practicing group from the dominant culture. The development of an oppositional culture can be an important strategy for survival and contestation for subordinated racial/ethnic groups, including Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans. For example, sociologist Theresa A. Martinez built on Mitchell and Feagin’s theory, identifying rap music as a cultural form of opposition to normative cultural expectations. Themes of distrust and anger portray a message of resistance in the music, which serves as an outlet for opposition. In the twenty-first century, the concept of oppositional culture is most commonly studied in the context of racial disparities in education and career opportunities.
Bibliography
Battu, Harminder, et al. “Oppositional Identities and the Labor Market.” Journal of Population Economics, vol. 20, no. 3, 2007, pp. 643–67. doi.org/10.1007/s00148-006-0093-8. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Bisin, Alberto, et al. “Formation and Persistence of Oppositional Identities.” European Economic Review, vol. 55, no. 8, 2011, pp. 1046–71, doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2011.04.009. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Harris, Angel L. Kids Don't Want to Fail: Oppositional Culture and the Black-White Achievement Gap. Harvard UP, 2011.
Mangino, William. “A Critical Look at Oppositional Culture and the Race Gap in Education.” ISRN Education, vol. 2013, 2013, pp. 1–5, doi.org/10.1155/2013/363847. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Martinez, Theresa A. “Popular Culture as Oppositional Culture: Rap as Resistance.” Sociological Perspectives, vol. 40, no. 2, 1997, pp. 265–86, doi.org/10.2307/1389525. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Mitchell, Bonnie L., and Joe R. Feagin. "America's Racial-Ethnic Cultures: Opposition within a Mythical Melting Pot." Toward the Multicultural University, edited by Benjamin P. Bowser, et al., Praeger, 1995, pp. 65–86.
Ogbu, John U., editor. Minority Status, Oppositional Culture, and Schooling. Routledge, 2008.