American Sniper: Another Untrue War Story

American Sniper is an award-winning, critically acclaimed but extremely unpopular movie. The movie is based off of Chris Kyle’s memoir of his time in Iraq as history’s deadliest sniper, which gave Americans a unique look at the realities of the Iraq War. However, many critics questioned how much of this story was reality and how much of it was Chris Kyle’s “reality.” After Chris Kyle was deemed an American hero for an ephemeral period of time, the release of the movie caused many to believe that Chris Kyle was racist, sexist, and, above all, a liar. American Sniper is a clear example of the predominant, invidious notion of Muslims in the United States which qualifies this story as false through stereotypes, historical inaccuracy and unrealistic heroism.

One major and recurring theme throughout the movie was that of seemingly innocent and gregarious Muslims eventually revealing themselves as terrorists and villains. In one scene, a Muslim man invites American soldiers to his house for a holiday meal, but is later discovered to be an informant and a terrorist. In another scene, a boy is seen carrying a cylindrical object, which he received from his mother, and that object is revealed to be a bomb intended to kill American soldiers.

According to O’Brien, a war story is supposed to make you uncomfortable; it is not pleasing nor moral, not simple nor straightforward. Chris Kyle’s account is simple and straightforward. The principle character makes it clear who the enemy is, and makes the viewer comfortable with that fact that he has killed over 160 people. Muslims are generally characterized as terrorists, which is what a large portion of the American public wishes was one hundred percent true. 

On top of stereotyping all Muslim people and even women in general, most of the “true” events were completely fabricated for the sake of Chris Kyle appearing as a modern hero. According to much research conducted concerning the life of Chris Kyle, many events that appeared in the book did not actually occur. The enemy sniper, Mustafa, that Kyle reportedly killed is still alive. The robbery at a gas station that he reportedly stopped never even happened.

O’Brien says war stories are never glorious, but Chris Kyle’s version of events is complete romanticized heroism. Although Chris Kyle is no longer here to defend himself, it is clear that his original story was false, which made the movie adaptation of American Sniper seem even less true. If this movie is what passes as a cinematic masterpiece, it is clear that Hollywood needs to diversify its' industry.

Does Friends Tell a True Story?

Few TV shows are as iconic or as genre-defining as Friends. It tells the story of six friends in New York- that's the entire premise. The rest of the story is built around the personalities of the characters, which leaves the show open to be either fantastic or terrible. I believe that despite some shortcomings, Friends is a true story due to its openness, honesty and its surprisingly realistic characters.

One of the reasons I think Friends is a true story is because it doesn't claim a deeper meaning. Nothing “happens for a reason”, it just happens. Within that framework, the characters and story explore a peculiar type of honesty. All of the characters are inherently flawed, to the point where sometimes they're just downright unlikable. This makes them feel more like "real" people, even when they act completely unrealistically.

It's not perfect, of course. There are several issues with Friends. For example, the "everything works out in the end" trope and the almost-too-perfect romantic pairings between the characters by the end of the series. This, however, is a conceit of the genre in my opinion. The situations and reactions may not be the most realistic, but a truly realistic sitcom would be incredibly boring. Once you suspend disbelief, Friends delivers on exactly what its title promises, and in the process becomes a very true story about people just living their lives.

It's Always Chaotic in Philadelphia

The semi-popular American sitcom, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, is about four friends and a father who own a low-budget Irish themed bar in the city of Philadelphia. Each new episode centers around a new, and often obscure, problem “the gang” faces. The four friends usually solve their challenges in an innovate, immature and naive way, during which there is always much fighting and chaos. While the show may be intended as a satire that pokes fun of various different social stereotypes and conceptions, what really sticks out is the ever present chaos and disorganization that “the gang” partakes in. This constant disorder and arguing perpetuates certain social stigmas pertaining to stereotypes often associated with the working class. These stereotypes would include opportunistic, lazy, egocentric and aggressive. 

In one episode one member of the gang, Dee, attempts to evade taxes by claiming a baby she has as a surrogate as a dependent. The IRS quickly catches on to her scam, but she continues wrap herself further into the lie by constructing cribs and even go so far as to holding a funeral for the fabricated child. Scenes like these promote stereotypes that paint the working class as opportunistic and wont to take advantage of the system. 

In other scenes, the characters show off their large egos. One example is when members of “the gang” plays an elaborate board game they invented. Dennis and Dee who are on a team together and have always one the game whenever it had been played. Both Dennis and Dee have no problem rubbing their victory in the faces of Mac and Charlie, who have never won. Besides being extremely egocentric, the characters are also exceedingly violent. The prize of the same game mentioned earlier is smashing the opponent's’ game pieces with hammers until they have been destroyed as much as possible and walk away in silence. 

While a very entertaining TV show, It's Always Sunny is perpetuating harmful stereotypes. 

American Story from Japanese Producer

The purest works of true American culture can be hard to find. One such work is an “underground” hip-hop song called “Think Different” produced by the late japanese DJ “Nujabes” featuring Substantial, an MC from Maryland. “Think Different” is one of Nujabes’ more celebrated non-instrumental pieces and was released on his debut album Metaphorical Music back in 2003. Despite the fact that the track came out well over a decade ago, its lyrical content is relevant now more than ever. Rap has become a leading mainstream music genre in the past 10 years and has been evolving more rapidly in the past couple years than it has been in a long time. More one-hit-wonders are charting and tons of experimental and underground rap albums are gaining cult status. This begs the question of how to tell the true stories from the false ones. 

“Think Different” breaks down popular rap stereotypes and cliches by explaining why rappers choose to lie and tells a true american story. Substantial displays this through his lines about how he doesn’t participate in violence or drug abuse and how he is more emotionally confident than the mainstream artists this song is directed at.

Hip-hop has developed a bad rap for being shallow. Popular rap focuses largely on material possessions and romanticized images of violence. Substantial wrote “Think Different” to deconstruct these cliches. He starts the song with the line, “You bust lead? So do I,” busting lead referring to shooting bullets, a symbol of gang violence that rappers claim to take part of. He clarifies the statement with the line “Except mine impregnates the page giving birth to thoughts that unify.” In the first bar Substantial writes the thesis for the rest of the song. Other rappers participate in immoral acts that are harmful to the image of hip-hop, and he spends more time being a poet. Later in the song he says “Cats I chill with rap about revolution, while you rap about drug abuse and distribution.” Substantial says that he prefers to use hip-hop as a medium for something important or socially conscious, like this track, instead of rapping about illegal acts. Much of the verses that don’t reiterate how Substantial “thinks different,” are his lines about how he respects women and is comfortable in his own skin.

In the first verse, Substantial says, “I’m pouring my heart out in everything written while you’re scared to look soft, heart remains hidden.” This sets up the line “You fall in love with body parts, I connect mentally, with my female counterpart before we bond physically.” Substantial says that while other rappers objectify women, he likes to get to know a woman before having sex. This line is also a great example of how he is honest in his written works and isn’t scared to “look soft.” All of this adds up in one really striking piece of art that defines American culture much better than most hip-hop songs have done recently.

“Think Different” connects with two distinct cultures that Americans are equally aware of. There is the culture of illegal acts, drug abuse, sex and city life romanticized by famous artists, that most americans know about through media and music, and the culture of those who don’t get this rap culture, which most people can easily connect with. The tone never changes throughout the song, making the song feel real, except for one line that lets Substantial’s feelings come through better than any other. He connects with his fellow artists by saying “We all front sometimes, that’s how MC’s be.” He admits his mistakes and bragging and humanizes himself and the rappers the song is directed at. This is the most important line because it shows how Substantial is being completely transparent when telling this true american story.

“Think Different” is a really simple song, lyrically. What it stands for, however, is much greater. If Substantial can break away from the stereotypes affiliated with his work, other artists can too. Some of them could be better rappers or more popular and influential rappers. Some of them could be artists of a whole different genre or even a whole different medium. A true American story can be told in even the most unlikely places, even a hip hop song from from twelve years ago.

Sexist Sterotypes in Dear Future Husband

Pop singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor has a tendency for writing stereotypical yet catchy songs. Her supposed body-positive anthem, “All About that Bass,” skyrocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 2014.

She attempts makes “curvy” girls feel confident, yet body shames “skinny b*tches.” Trainor’s song is a failed attempt to teach girls to accept themselves the way they are, however the overall message correlates with the lyric, “‘cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase/ all the right junk in all the right places.” Trainor is essentially saying that if the male population approves of your body than there is no reason to feel self conscious. This same androcentric tone is prevalent throughout her newest song, “Dear Future Husband.”

“Dear Future Husband” is just as catchy as her previous top hit. Trainor outlines her requirements for a husband by saying she needs a man to “treat her right” and she’ll reward him by being “the perfect wife” by “buying groceries/ buy-buying what you need.”

This song sets sexist standards for what a marriage between a man and a woman should consist of. She also states she will let her man “rock her body right.” Today in modern culture sex is a mutual act, not solely for the husband’s pleasure as Trainor portrays it.

Throughout this vintage style-music video, Trainor is seen scrubbing floors, baking and deciding between suitors. She infers that she expects a man to treat her like royalty, not as an equal partner. She sings, “take me on a date/ I deserve a break/ and don’t forget the flowers every anniversary/ ‘cause if you treat me right/ I’ll be the perfect wife.” Trainor goes on to say, “you gotta treat me like a lady/ even when I’m acting crazy.” By saying this she furthers the sexist stereotype that women in relationships "act crazy" and are emotionally vulnerable.

These outdated gender roles throughout this music video are absurd. It’s unbelievable that a song this politically incorrect was allowed to be produced in 2015.

Running Straight Outta Compton from the Violence

"Straight Outta Compton" is a song sung by an American hip-hop group named N.W.A. The group originally consisted of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E and Ice Cube. However, DJ Yella and MC Ren joined later. Their album, released in 1989, sold 750,000 copies before they ever went on tour. N.W.A. uses a lot of profanity in their music. On average, their songs contain 32 profane words. "Straight Outta Compton" contains 34. Today, profanity is being used more and more in everyday music, especially in rap music. Surprisingly, there were fewer curse words in music in the late 80’s and early 90’s than in today’s music. There are a variety of references to violence and crime in the song as well. Because of this, Straight Outta Compton was one of the first albums to use the “Parental Advisory” sticker.

"Straight Outta Compton" is a song documenting the ups and down of gang life in a low income community. The artists present their view of life from living in a ghetto. In one line Ice Cube says, “When I’m called off I got the sawed off, squeeze the trigger and the bodies are hauled off.” Here he references gang life in late 1980’s Compton, California. He is saying gang members are willing to back up other gang members even if it means killing some people. Currently there are gang issues in Pilson and the Little Village area. There are many known Latin Kings members in Little Village, making it a very dangerous place. In ghettos and very low-income neighborhoods there tends to be more crime, violence and gang activity. Later on in N.W.A.’s song, MC Ren references burglary and weaponry in two lines, he says “Just like burglary, the definition is ‘jackin’ and when illegally armed it’s called ‘packin’.” Both of these are very common themes throughout N.W.A.’s songs but also in the news today. However, gun violence has dropped 48% since 1993 (4 years after N.W.A.’s album release).

A Cultural Analysis of Marvel's Ant-Man

I recently watched the popular movie Ant-Man with a few of my friends. Part of Marvels’ hit series of superhero movies, it made $57 million its opening weekend. In it, the protagonist Scott Lang’s trouble finding a real job and as a result of being a convicted felon reveals an insight into a very real american problem.

Scott gets released from jail in the first ten minutes of the movie, and his trouble finding a job is the reason that he ends up getting super powers at all. The only work he can get is at Baskin-Robbins, and even there Scott is quickly fired when his manager finds out that he spent time in jail. Scott is unable to get a real, well-paying job, even though he clearly has some amount of useful skills based off events prior to the beginning of the movie. The American prison system doesn’t serve to prepare its constituents for success outside of jail, and Scott’s plight is a prime example of this. Originally, Scott is completely averse to returning to crime. He rebuffs his criminal friend’s efforts at recruiting him for a heist twice, only giving in once he loses his job at Baskin-Robbins. He only accepts the offer to break into Dr. Hank Pym’s house after he is unable to make honest money due to his prior offenses.

America is seen around the world as “the land of opportunity”. However, for the significant portion of it that has spent time in jail, this is simply not true. A study conducted in 2010 by Kris Warner and John Schmitt states that “ex-offenders lower employment rates for men [in the United States] by 1.5 to 1.7 percentage points”.

Ant-Man also fits very well into our criteria of what makes a “true” American story. Scott’s trouble finding work, while made mildly comedic, is not necessarily exaggerated. It also connects with the current social context of our troubled prison system. Signs offering to find jobs for felons, and even shops like Felony Frank’s catering to those unable to find jobs otherwise point to a situation more serious than one just confined to a superhero movie. With little opportunity to find jobs, many felons are forced to return to crime. While clearly a superhero movie, Ant-Man dives deep into a very pressing problem to America today.

You can find the study I sourced at http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/ex-offenders-2010-11.pdf

Dexter - Control of the Mind

It’s safe to say, the majority of people have some type of need; whether it’s always having a phone or constantly washing your hands, it has to be done. For Dexter, the main character of a hit T.V. show, his need is killing people. It’s typical to think the main character is the enemy, but this serial killer specifically kills serial killers only. On special occasion, a rapist or kidnapper has tasted his knife as well, but it’s portrayed that these people are well deserving of their death.

If he goes too long without killing, he faces everyday challenges that could result in harm of an innocent or loved one. Multiple people feel a not-so intense urge, or else anxiety builds up in them. Half the people say it’s all mental and they can make it go away without achieving their need, while others would differ. Dexter like many others, have habits that are imprinted in their brain that they cannot break, but that’s the same as saying they aren’t in control of their own mind. Everyone has the power to break such a habit, it can only take over if they let it. 

In our society, things like O.C.D. and anxiety are looked upon as weaknesses, which the only way to cure is by getting help. It's becoming programmed in many kids that there is something wrong with them, that only outside help can cure them. Sometimes, that may be the case but if more motivation and information is represented as much as "help" is many more people would understand that they are in control and that they can teach themselves to fix their habits, without any pricey outside help that's portrayed as necessary to these people. In Dexter, he doesn't believe he's in control of his life. His "dark passenger" has been inside him since Harry, his adoptive father, took him in and gave him "Harry's code" to live by. The idea of having his own life, and being free of his habits was never viewed as an option from his eyes. His need to kill is always a must, and never an option to him. Our society has formed into a weak-minded community who don't believe they are as strong as they truly are.

Remember the Titans Defies Racism Riot

Remember the Titans, produced in the year 2000 and based on a true story, accurately represents racism of the 70’s. The movie tells a story of an originally all white football team from the south coached by a white coach. The school decides to hire a black coach and incorporate black athletes into the football program, becoming the first school of the south to immigrate. The story questions racism by mixing a white and black football team together.

At first the two teams are not willing to play together. Denzel Washington, the hired assistant coach, threatens the boys that they will either have to play together or that they will be cut from the team. Washington mandates that two players of two different colors will have to get to know each other by the end of the first week. Two characters, however, do not have such an easy time getting along. Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell are socially paired, but neither respect where one another comes from, which barricades their friendship.

Julius puts up a poster that supports African-American culture that Gerry refuses to keep up on “his” wall. Julius responds, “You better use your x-ray vision superman, you’re going to look right through it cause it ain’t coming down.” which then results in a physical fight. This does not critically injure either player, however later on, Gerry gets into a car crash and becomes paralyzed from the waist down.

Coaches and team members are some of the first to arrive to the hospital, standing by Gerry’s side. When Julius gets to the hospital, Coach Boone(Denzel) notifies him that Gerry has been paralyzed from the car crash. Julius is heartbroken and immediately walks over to Gerry’s parents. Julius begins to repeatedly apologize to them, when Gerry’s mother interrupts his tears saying, “He doesn’t want to see anybody but you, Julius.” Julius respectfully responding, “Yes ma’am.”. When Julius enters the hospital room with Gerry the nurse says that only ‘kin’ are allowed to visit the patient. Gerry answers, “Are you blind? Don’t you see the family resemblance.”.

Gerry, in a vulnerable state, comes around to confess that he was afraid of Julius before, for a reason he could not understand, but really only hating his brother. Julius then explains that one day Julius and Gerry will move to the same neighborhood and grow old together. Sharing love and brotherhood in the hospital bedroom expresses the turning point in discrimination between the two. Racism is a dominant ideology of American culture, be that as it may, Remember the Titans tells a story that defies and overcomes racism.

Here's the movie trailer:

The Good Left Undone

I decided to take a look into one of the Chicago-born band “Rise Against”’s most successful songs they’ve ever made, “The Good Left Undone”. I feel that this work, specifically from the lyrics, is very real and not really artificial at all because despite the overall message being a bit clichéd, the way it’s presented is really refreshing.

I chose this work because the band itself was created relatively recently so they’re still extremely popular with a large crowd. This song heavily reflects the ideologies of our current society by enforcing the (somewhat clichéd) ideal that unless we all change what we’re doing pretty heavily, the world is going to eventually give up on us and we won’t be able to fix what we’ve done to Earth.

An idea presented throughout the song is that while we’re already pretty far gone, there’s still hope for us to change. This is evidenced by the opening line of the song where lyricist Tim Mcllrath says “in a field where nothing grew but weeds, I found a flower at my feet”. He’s perpetuating the idea that despite what we’ve done to the land that we live on, there’s still hope for us to change it. This isn’t surprising to hear from the band, because an idea that the band often talks about in their music is saving the environment.

This piece of music is very important to talk about because it’s perpetuating the extremely important idea that we need to change what we’re doing to the Earth and we need to do it quick.

If you'd like to hear the song, click on the video below

Accept or Reject Racial Stereotypes?

In honor of football season starting in the IHSA, the movie, “The Blind Side,” correlates well with football season beginning and the social and race issues going on in America today. “The Blind Side” features Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, and Tim McGraw. Although this movie came out in 2009, there are relevant issue risen throughout the movie, that remind Americans whether a story told is true or not and how these stereotypes affect today’s society. Controversy with racial stereotypes are subsequently associated with social class stereotypes. As exemplified in other pieces of recent American culture, such as “Straight Outta Compton” and “Selma,” racial stereotypes can cause the most controversy, or make people of all races feel uncomfortable. “The Blind Side” is just another part of this trend that has been building for decades. This American cultural piece is a good, paradoxical example of conveying social class and race stereotypes, both promoting and breaking the typical ideologies society has. Analyzing the accepting and rejecting stereotypes in “The Blind Side” is done with the help of knowing the characteristics of a true story and a false story.

“The Blind Side” contains specific scenes that help prove the stereotypes for race in America are false. For example,white people are stereotyped to be racist. While this statement is seemingly true, because there are white people who are racist, it is not true in the sense that all white people are racist. In “The Blind Side,” Leigh Anne Tuohy rejects this stereotype when she takes in low economic class, black, Michael Oher. A white person would not open their nice home up to a black person and provide clothes and food for them with nothing in return, if they were racist. Furthermore, the stereotype that black people are only good at sports is also rejected when Michael Oher proves he is more than just a big football player. Although Michael Oher is his team’s best football player, he needs to get his grades up to qualify for an academic scholarship for a D1 school. With the help of his teachers and tutor, Michael devotes time to his studies as well as juggling football. When writing a paper for English class, Michael demonstrates and learns of his capability to write and perseverance. He is ultimately able to and accepts a college offer with his improved GPA.

The fantasy world that isn't so different from our own.

Cultural Analysis (SPOILER ALERT!)

Recently, I have begun to re-read 10 books by Rick Riordan, that begins with "The Lightning Thief," that regard Greek and Roman mythology while following the adventure of a certain set of heroes that end up saving the world several times over. At first glance, this seems just about as real as flying pigs, but the characters and problems that they face actually seem both real and relatable.

There are many aspects of the characters’ struggles and personalities that speak a lot towards everyday social, physical, and emotional problems. Many times throughout all 10 books, the characters go through many unflattering human emotions, as well as the “warm-and-fuzzy” ones, creating a large attachment between reader and character. The struggles and obstacles that the people must overcome are a fun fantasy, and hold all sorts of morals and lessons to be learned. All of these concepts are, if not necessary, extremely important for the young audience that the books are targeted at.



When a character in these books becomes happy or cracks a joke, you can’t help but smile due to the brilliant writing style set up by Riordan, such as when two of the characters, Leo and Jason, make fun of each other playfully, it shows that in their essence, they’re still teenagers and their antics are fully relatable. The obstacles that the heroes have to face are all seemingly impossible, but also have important morals attached to them. In the end of the first series, the main character Percy hands over his only arms, to the main antagonist Luke, who was hosting the titan lord Kronos, in order to have Luke expose his own weakness to defeat Kronos and himself. This shows that even against all logic, it’s beneficial to have some trust.

These morals, as well as emotional connections are extremely important to all audiences, and that’s what makes Riordan’s works so astounding as works of American culture.

Shipbreaker ... A True Story?

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks ... A True Story?

The Immortal Life of Sense and Crime, Discovering the Secrets of Americanah ... True Stories?

Into the Wild ... A True Story?

Different Seasons ... A True Story?

Outcasts United ... A True Story?

A Girl Who Fell From the Sky .... A True Story?

Will Grayson, Will Grayson .... A True story?