Cultural Objects and Their Culture

Cultural Objects and Their Culture

The three cultures or subcultures I identify strongly with from most to least significant in my life are African American, Reggae Music and Volkswagen VW Bug Club respectively. I strongly connect with three different cultures or subcultures in my life, each of which is significant to differing degrees. These aspects of my identity are fundamentally anchored in who I am.

My African-American background, which ranks first in importance, represents my cultural roots and social environment. Jacob Lawrence is a well-known African-American painter whose works are a good example of the hardships and successes of the African-American experience and serve as a representative object (Purcell, 2021). His Migration Series, which reflects the historical and social facets of this culture, eloquently depicts the Great Migration. The show highlights the transition from the rural South to the metropolitan North and its subsequent effects on African-American identity as it portrays the political and social dynamics of the day.

My passion for reggae music also ties me to a worldwide subculture. Bob Marley’s famous guitar serves as a representative object (Adelt, 2023). The political and religious parts of Jamaican culture are reflected in the music, which represents resistance against injustice and inequity. The guitar that Bob Marley played represents harmony, optimism, and the quest for social justice.

My membership in the Volkswagen VW Bug Club, however of less importance, demonstrates my enthusiasm for this specialised interest. A classic Volkswagen Bug serves as a representative object (Poier, 2020). The Bug was created in Germany following World War II, and it is a product of its era. It represents the shifting viewpoints on transportation, emphasizing freedom and accessibility.

The defining characteristics of each of these civilizations or subcultures are profoundly reflected in the representative artefacts. The African American fight for equality and social advancement is best exemplified through The Migration Series. Bob Marley’s guitar represents the influence of reggae on politics and spirituality. The VW Bug is a perfect example of how technology has advanced and how society’s views towards transportation have changed. The many interactions of politics, history, religion, technology, and social views that shape the civilizations these items represent are captured in these things.