Lecture 6 Flashcards
symbolic boundaries
- refer to (largely intangible) distinctions drawn between individuals and groups
- often present discursively and may overlap with other forms of distinction
culture’s changing currents
In recent years, cultural scholars have observed a shift in the ways that elite individuals and groups leverage elements of culture
omnivouressess/ eclepticism
Increasingly, both elements of “high” and “mass” culture are leveraged in everyday interaction
high culture
- refers to historically legitimated elements of culture associated with the tastes and preferences of elite consumers
- These include everything from classical music, fine art, couture fashion, and luxurious foodstuffs
mass culture
- refers to elements of culture enjoyed by the public; these elements are widely accessible and present with few (if any barriers) to access
- Elements of mass culture include popular music, fast fashion, and even fast food
Johnston and Baumann
provide a look into cultural omnivorousness as it unfolds in the culinary landscape
cause of the shift to omnivourousness
In part, this shift is because of broader trends related to globalization, market change and to concerns related to the importance of meritocracy and the virtue of hard work
authenticity and exoticism
to really pass as authentic and exotic cuisine, the consumer not only had to recognize the food but it also had to be expensive
“From aristocratic to Ordinary”- Friedman and Reeves
- taken the case of Who’s Who, a biographic document recording the lives and leisure activities of “noteworthy and influential” people in Britain
- leverage this document to understand shifts in the presentation and display of elite lives and lifestyles over time
reasons for skepticism of a shift to omnivourousness
omnivores are not necessarily less status seeking, but status is sought out in newly selective ways
conspicuous seculsion
a form of “social retrenchment” whereby elites become increasingly invisible to others
inconspicuous consumption
refers to the consumption of logo-less fashions, un-branded products, and highly exclusive (sometimes unrecognizable) consumer goods; only recognized by others who are elites
Conspicuous consumption
very showy and in-your-face
social spectacle
performance for the non-elites
“Culture, Class and Connections” Erikson
Erickson argues that it is cultural variety or one’s ability to shift between genres and forms that allows for the most “adroit” positioning in a workplace organization
pink-collar ghetto
- a term that refers to women’s disproportionate concentration in areas of the labor market that are (typically) service-oriented and poorly paid
- professions that have been historically dominated by women are often poorly paid and less prestigious (e.g., nursing, social work)
disability and labor market segregation
People with disabilities tend to be segregated in the labor market, meaning that they are disproportionately concentrated in low skilled and poorly paying labor market segments
hiring as cultural matching
hiring professionals often drew on matters of culture that were personally relevant when making hiring decision or assessing for fit
three types of racial tasks
ideological; interactional; and physical
ideological racial tasks
racial tasks establish a workplace culture that is white and middle class
interactional racial tasks
racial tasks are the routine self-presentation and emotional work that is done to uphold whites’ position in the workplace
physical racial tasks
when spaces are designed or decorated to reinforce the white and middle class ethos
diversity capital
refers to a constellation of symbolic and economic resources that follow from investment in ethnic communities
situational authenticity
Cultural resources like authenticity can be used to manage group boundaries and maintain one’s sense of membership
