White Trash Core

Once any cultural icon reaches a threshold of popularity, it is bound to attract hate or spark a counter movement. In Sweeney’s article “The  King of White Trash Culture” He explains the process of being identified as White Trash as a sort of cultural appropriation that has haunted the prosperity of Elvis’s career. I found it very interesting when he was discussing types of media outlets that blur the margins of “decent” mainstay media, when reporting a sensationalized news event or gossip. He explains, “What happens when Elvis begins to be seen not as a symbol of a certain marginalized segment of society…but as a larger symbol of America? What happened when Roseanne is the highest-rated show on television?” He goes on to explain that once this threshold of fame and mass following is gained, we as a society are quick to marginalize them in someway to prevent the White Trash aesthetic from intruding in what we consider significant or special. Thus, Elvis had to be branded as a drugged out rock star, and by doing these marginalizations we don't have to incorporate the reality of White Trash culture into our own culture and cultural identity.

I believe this process holds true and will hold true as long as we have a place for celebrities. Justin Bieber mimics certain entities of Elvis’ fame. The second he was arrested for driving under the influence, the media, and society could safely brand him as different and ostracize him in a way from traditional respected cultures. This psychological mechanism is used to protect the identity of those who refuse to be characterized by elements that pertain to lower-income culture.  

I also refuse to believe that Elvis should be labeled “White Trash” as he was critical in combining and using his mixed cultural identity as a catalyst for success. More importantly, he was the first artist to top the R&B chart and Country Billboard charts at the same time. This feat has not been replicated since and is not easily accomplished. It seems we have categorized and classified our artists into more boxes, despite appearing more Liberal in 2017. Ask yourself if Nicki Minaj could have a song that plays on a country radio station in Alabama and R&B station in Los Angeles during the same time, and if this feat was to be accomplished would we marginalize her as “White Trash” or some other alienating category?

This form of labeling is problematic for a culture that liberates itself in freedom while enjoying a good scandal. Someone is buying those gossip magazines in the supermarket, and its not just women. Those tabloids and sensationalized media are prevalent in a large percentage of the population, whether they want it to be or not. In my experience these gossip magazines like People, or Star make their way through everyones hands around a house and in a matter of days everyone from Grandpa, to a first grader will have developed their opinion on Kim Kardashians robbery. Aren't we all guilty then.