Culture Wars
The 1980s and Conflicts of Culture
Counterculture is the development of a secondary culture that opposes the values and expected behaviors of mainstream society. Issues that spark controversy divide people with different beliefs and values, creating deep rifts between groups with difficulty finding common ground. The popular culture of the 1980s bred a culture war in the United States, where conservatives and liberals, right and left, would clash in their political and moral ideas. Issues focusing on hot-button topics with strong emotional ties and leading to a politically polarized nation, the romanticizing of money and consumerism, and the development of megachurches were all critical issues in the 80s. It was a time when Americans would experience significant change as groups fought to dominate the ideas that shape society.
Many of the challenges that divided society then are still subjects of controversy today. When an issue regards firmly held values or clashes with core beliefs, it sparks tense emotions and disagreements. Strong feelings of fear, anger, and even compassion make rational discussions difficult. Many of these issues are complex because human assessment of right and wrong is ever-changing, variable, and debated, leaving the problem with no clear solution. To better convey this type of controversy and its effect on society, examine the issues around abortion, religious values, feminism, and LGBTQ topics that were prevalent in the 1980s for a more detailed understanding.
Abortion — In 1973, a pregnant woman in Texas, Jane Roe, filed a lawsuit against the district attorney in her county, Henry Wade. At that time, there were several laws criminalizing abortion in the state of Texas. In the briefing directly from the Supreme Court, they acknowledge the “sensitive and emotional nature of the abortion controversy, the vigorous opposing views, even among physicians, and of the deep and seemingly absolute convictions that the subject inspires.” It is directly stated that the task of the Supreme Court is to reach a conclusion by “constitutional measurement, free of emotion and of predilection” (U.S. Supreme Court, 1973). After lengthy deliberations, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to abortion is technically protected by the 14th Amendment, which protects the right to privacy.
Religious Values — The 1980s saw the rise of the megachurch. Megachurches had larger congregations than traditional churches. They widened the scope of the resources provided to include recreational and emotional interests in addition to meeting the spiritual needs of the people. The differences that developed in the church during this time are an essential part of Christian History and are often seen as a social phenomenon (Eagle, 2015). These movements carry weight in culture wars because religious values influence societal perception.
Feminism — The District of Columbia and twenty-one other U.S. State courts adopted legislation and regulations to address sexual harassment as a legitimate problem. (Baker, 2019). The recognition of sexual harassment as a problem was not without resistance as employers scrambled to defend themselves against lawsuits. Despite the backlash, these lawsuits were pivotal in shaping today’s public attitude toward sexual harassment and legal frameworks.
LGBTQ — the first diagnosis of AIDS occurred in Seattle in 1982, and by 1989, there were 1,017 reported cases in the county. 94% of those diagnosed were gay or bisexual men, and 54% of all cases ended in death (Mahre). With the concentration of AIDS in gay communities led to activism, and the adversity they faced had a lasting impact on cultural representation.
The strong influence of new media and the people’s sense of values shape their identity. These topics are closely rooted in those sincerely held values, and most people stand for what they believe in, resisting opposing viewpoints; at times, opposition is coupled with hostility. This is at the root of the polarization of political positions. “Right” and “left” are the terms that help classify an individual’s views. The democratic party of the United States leans left, emphasizing equality, justice, and reform (often called liberal). The Republican party leans more right, prioritizing tradition, order, and individual liberty (often considered conservative). The rift created by consolidating ideas and marginalizing people into groups is the primary characteristic of the culture war itself.
“I Want My MTV!” (Lois)
MTV gained its influence and impact on consumerism by using music videos as the central format for the media played on their channel. It launched in 1981 with “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles (Britannica, 2024). Trends were shaped by the artists who sought to draw attention to their videos. The rapid growth in the popularity of MTV among youth resulted in prime advertising that could capitalize on that influence.
Finding the US in the 80s — After reviewing these culture-shaking topics, it becomes apparent that, in many cases, emotionally sensitive subjects cause things to escalate quickly. However, that does not need to be the case, and if that one element were somehow changed, the entire world and the lives of those in it would also be changed. During political conversations and any interaction in which topics of controversy are visited, it is important to know and understand the function, purpose, and characteristics of hatred. By having a deeper understanding of the nature of hate and the reasons it arises, it can be used as a reassuring and self-protective tool. After all, human emotions cannot be avoided, and they arise without regard to their desirability. The widespread rejection and misunderstanding of hatred as a powerful emotion is the cause for its misuse, and any emotion that carries significant power will be destructive when it is misused. Hatred is likely the most destructive of all the powerful emotions because it is capable of spreading quickly and manifests in the form of violence.
When hate is evoked, it is often through the occurrence of a single individual or event and is perceived in a generalized manner to the nature of the group represented. Studies show hatred is a defense response when the sense of self, identity, or deeply held values become threatened (Fischer et al., 2018). The purpose of hate is to help identify that threat, and when it is appropriately used, it allows the strengthening of ties within like-minded groups, where what has been threatened can be protected. When hate is avoided, unidentified, it cannot be used constructively. When allowed to rise and grow without direction, purpose, or mediation, hatred becomes deadly; it is then a weapon of destruction that will motivate the elimination of an acquired target. There is an excellent potential for creating a future that sees less of the catastrophic damage humanity has seen throughout history by educating the public, as individuals and groups, on the functional nature of hatred. Emotions are tools, and knowledge of their use is a skill that fosters a healthier world for future generations.
This information, used and applied on the individual level, can change the world when topics of controversy and political opinions are discussed.
References
Baker, C. N. (2019, June 14). Fighting the Backlash: Feminist Activism in the 1980s. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved July 4, 2024, from https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/womens-movement-against-sexual-harassment/fighting-the-backlash-feminist-activism-in-the-1980s/B8E4AE9F64437C1CE62B6B4AADC9685F
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, June 27). MTV. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/MTVEagle, D. E. (2015). Historicizing the Megachurch. Journal of Social History Advance Access, (February 25), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsh/shu109
Fischer, A., Halpern, E., Jasini, A., & Canetti, D. (2018). Why We Hate. International Society for Research on Emotion, 10(4), 309–320. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073917751229
Lois, G. (n.d.). I want my MTV. GeorgeLois.com. Retrieved July 4, 2024, from http://www.georgelois.com/mtv.html
Mahre, R. (n.d.). LGBT Issues in the 1980s: Building Coalitions and Consensus in Seattle. Seattle.gov. Retrieved July 4, 2024, from https://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/exhibits-and-education/digital-document-libraries/lgbt-issues-in-the-1980s
U.S Supreme Court (1973, January 22). Jane ROE, et al., Appellants, v. Henry WADE. LII — Legal Information Institute. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/410/113
