Week 8 Reflection: The 1920s
The 1920s is a period that I remember learning a lot about in school. The 1920s was a time of change and a shift in culture for Americans. When I think about the 1920s, I think about flapper girls and a rise in luxuries. The 1920s consisted of economic growth, technological innovation, automobile production, growth of the middle-class, and the increase of mass production. Due to economic growth, Americans became a consumer society, where people can afford to buy items not only out of need but for pleasure. Consumerism boomed, and so did advertising for products. 1920s advertising became oriented to personal image and lifestyle for the first time in American history. These advertisements created needs that were not there before for middle-class women. Items such as household appliances, cosmetics, and perfumes appeared on the market. They mainly geared towards white women, and they created an image of the "modern woman" and how she should look. The "modern woman" was white, sexy, shows more skin, and was in a "companionate marriage." 1920s advertisers promoted the "modern woman" through images of women with short hair, makeup, and high sexual appeal; this was the first time sex became a marketing tool.
On the other hand, women of color had a different relationship with the "modern woman." Most black women were protective of their sexual image and did not feel safe with revealing clothing. I can understand why the black women felt uncomfortable, and they were still actively battling Jim Crow stereotypes that black women are hyper-sexual and promiscuous. It sucks that white women were able to liberate themselves, but black women were unable to express that part of themselves without fear of violent persecution.
So far, the 1920s seems to be a time of modernization and liberation, but that is not entirely true. Most Americans are still very conservative in their ways and refuse to let things change. During this time, there was a resurgence of the KKK, Prohibition, and a revolt of the religious fundamentalists. These fundamentalists believed in the literal truth of the Bible scripture and protested people's over-reliance on science, and an example of this is the Scopes Trial. The Scopes Trial was a court-room trial about teaching evolution in Tennessee in public schools in 1925. John Scopes was a teacher who got arrested for teaching evolution in school. Fundamentalists campaigned to eliminate the teaching of evolution in schools because it contradicted the story of Genesis. Overall, Scopes was found guilty and got fined. It is crazy to think that a man was arrested and taken to court for teaching something that differs from Christian views. What happened to the separation of Church and State? If there is a separation of church and state, why would the story of Genesis be taught as science when it is not?
On the other hand, women of color had a different relationship with the "modern woman." Most black women were protective of their sexual image and did not feel safe with revealing clothing. I can understand why the black women felt uncomfortable, and they were still actively battling Jim Crow stereotypes that black women are hyper-sexual and promiscuous. It sucks that white women were able to liberate themselves, but black women were unable to express that part of themselves without fear of violent persecution.
So far, the 1920s seems to be a time of modernization and liberation, but that is not entirely true. Most Americans are still very conservative in their ways and refuse to let things change. During this time, there was a resurgence of the KKK, Prohibition, and a revolt of the religious fundamentalists. These fundamentalists believed in the literal truth of the Bible scripture and protested people's over-reliance on science, and an example of this is the Scopes Trial. The Scopes Trial was a court-room trial about teaching evolution in Tennessee in public schools in 1925. John Scopes was a teacher who got arrested for teaching evolution in school. Fundamentalists campaigned to eliminate the teaching of evolution in schools because it contradicted the story of Genesis. Overall, Scopes was found guilty and got fined. It is crazy to think that a man was arrested and taken to court for teaching something that differs from Christian views. What happened to the separation of Church and State? If there is a separation of church and state, why would the story of Genesis be taught as science when it is not?
Four 1920s women enjoying their newly-found freedom
Hey I love the way you broke it down so we could better understand what happen in the 1920’s. I feel like it was a very intriguing time in history because a lot of good things came from it and bad. Also I feel like it’s something should learn more about. This is a great blog post.
ReplyDeleteNicely wrote and it’s very understandable. During this time things changed and this made history because of the different types of characteristics that began within the popculture.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the 20's were a great time of money in this country, and we expanded with the rise of capitalism. Our country really took off and became the top power in terms of money. They helped end the war a few years earlier and this was a time of true freedom in the country, even with the prohibition. I like how you were able to related back to how you learned in highschool and you made it easy to follow. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteNice post and very easy to read. I agree with your stand on the 20s and how everything evolved eventually. History was defiantly made during this time with inventions, innovators, and the modern US.
ReplyDeletei can tell you really understood what was really going on . its very well written . you was able to tell us about the bad that hey went through but also the good. its crazy how racism is so big like i don't understand how someone could just dislike someone else just because the color of your skin. the bad thing is it still goes on today.
ReplyDeleteGreat detailed post , you are absolutely right most Americans were not liberated and were stuck in there ways . I like how you gave examples of the significant groups that were against liberation and change . It gives you a different outlook on the 1920's
ReplyDeleteI love the way you broke it down so we could better understand what happen in the 1920’s. I feel you on how you mentioned the 1920s seems to be a time of modernization and liberation, but that is not entirely true. Most Americans are still very conservative in their ways and refuse to let things change. During this time, there was a resurgence of the KKK, Prohibition, and a revolt of the religious fundamentalists.
ReplyDeleteHey Aleena, I can tell that you know exactly what to write for this because this was a good read and your points were well-communicated throughout the post. The 20's were a time for individuals to have fun and let loose and I can visualize that while reading through your post. Women were given more freedom to just kick back and enjoy life as it was. Racism on the other hand is still very poignant today as it was back then during this time period and you hit that right on the head.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Aleena! I thoroughly enjoyed reading! After reading our documents about the great depression, its alost unfortunate to think that everyone were really living in the last of "fun" days for awhile in the 20's. Women already were going through so much during this era, it sucks!
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