Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic Interactionism and Reggae Musicand Reggae Music

By: Jessica KattenburgBy: Jessica Kattenburg

Sociology 101Sociology 101

About Symbolic Interactionism About Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic Interactionism or also called Symbolic Interactionism or also called Interactionism is a major theoretical Interactionism is a major theoretical perspective in sociologyperspective in sociology

Symbolic Interactionism is based on Symbolic Interactionism is based on researchers study of how people react or researchers study of how people react or respond to things that have symbolic respond to things that have symbolic meaningmeaning

Main InfluencesMain Influences

There has been many people involved There has been many people involved with research and study of symbolic with research and study of symbolic interactionisminteractionism

The two primary influences on the subject The two primary influences on the subject are George Herbert Mead and Herbert are George Herbert Mead and Herbert BlumerBlumer

Blumer and Mead studied together at the Blumer and Mead studied together at the University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago

TheoriesTheories Mead argues that peoples selves are social products, Mead argues that peoples selves are social products,

and the selves are purposive and creativeand the selves are purposive and creative Blumers view of the perspective is that people act on Blumers view of the perspective is that people act on

things based on the meaning those things have for themthings based on the meaning those things have for them Mead was more experienced and a American Mead was more experienced and a American

Philosopher-he concentrated on the subjective meaning Philosopher-he concentrated on the subjective meaning of human behavior and the human processof human behavior and the human process

However-it was Blumer who is responsible for creating However-it was Blumer who is responsible for creating the term “symbolic Interactionism”the term “symbolic Interactionism”

Blumer’s view of the perspective is the most influentialBlumer’s view of the perspective is the most influential

A few more things…A few more things…

Interactionism is important in sociology-it creates Interactionism is important in sociology-it creates fluxuation in the social structure of societyfluxuation in the social structure of society

Our text book reveals in chapters 4 & 5 how Our text book reveals in chapters 4 & 5 how interactionists contend that all social life, interactionists contend that all social life, inclusive of social institutions are in a constant inclusive of social institutions are in a constant state of fluxstate of flux

Symbolic Interactionism plays a role in peoples Symbolic Interactionism plays a role in peoples decision making process as well as daily decision making process as well as daily interactionsinteractions

The ConnectionThe Connection The correlation between symbolic The correlation between symbolic

interactionism and reggae music interactionism and reggae music is…is…

Symbolic interactionism is Symbolic interactionism is responsible for changes in social responsible for changes in social structure-thus causing changes in structure-thus causing changes in society-leading to changes in society-leading to changes in culture, music, and the artsculture, music, and the arts

Interactionism also can cause Interactionism also can cause individuals to respond based on individuals to respond based on whatever meaning a symbol has whatever meaning a symbol has to themto them

Interactionism could be Interactionism could be responsible for certain outlooks responsible for certain outlooks upon something based on what a upon something based on what a thing means to them or to others-thing means to them or to others-

Reggae music is a good example Reggae music is a good example back there are many opinions and back there are many opinions and stereotypes about itstereotypes about it

What is Reggae?What is Reggae? Reggae is a type of music Reggae is a type of music

developed in Jamaica developed in Jamaica during the late 1960’s during the late 1960’s There are other styles-but There are other styles-but only 2 basic-Roots only 2 basic-Roots Reggae and Dancehall Reggae and Dancehall

Roots reggae is Roots reggae is considered the originalconsidered the original

Reggae music emerged Reggae music emerged out of rough political out of rough political times in Jamaicatimes in Jamaica

There was oppressive There was oppressive social conditions on the social conditions on the island during this timeisland during this time

Along with ReggaeAlong with Reggae When most people think of When most people think of

reggae, they associate the reggae, they associate the music symbolically- usually music symbolically- usually with marijuana and Rastafarian with marijuana and Rastafarian cultureculture

As previously mentioned- As previously mentioned- Reggae developed in Jamaica Reggae developed in Jamaica and Rastafarian culture is and Rastafarian culture is native to the islandnative to the island

Most people symbolize Most people symbolize Rastafarian culture with Rastafarian culture with marijuana or as it is called in marijuana or as it is called in the culture “Ganja”the culture “Ganja”

Rastafarian cultureRastafarian culture

Followers of this culture are Followers of this culture are called Rastafarianscalled Rastafarians

Rasta is the religion of the Rasta is the religion of the island-The Rastafarian religion island-The Rastafarian religion is sometimes associated with is sometimes associated with resistanceresistance

The Rastafarian are also The Rastafarian are also known for their religious known for their religious rituals-most commonly their rituals-most commonly their consumption of ganjaconsumption of ganja

Rastafarians often distance Rastafarians often distance themselves from the colonial themselves from the colonial culture of the islandculture of the island

GanjaGanja Ganja is considered “wisdom weed” by Ganja is considered “wisdom weed” by

RastafariansRastafarians Ganja can be consumed by various Ganja can be consumed by various

methods-primarily it is smoked-the methods-primarily it is smoked-the smoking of ganja is part of a religious smoking of ganja is part of a religious ritual-when Rastafarians come ritual-when Rastafarians come together there is something called a together there is something called a “reasoning” gathering where a large “reasoning” gathering where a large pipe is passed around and smokedpipe is passed around and smoked

Rastafarians only smoke ganja-they do Rastafarians only smoke ganja-they do not smoke tobacco back of its harmful not smoke tobacco back of its harmful effects to the bodyeffects to the body

Ganja or marijuana is looked upon Ganja or marijuana is looked upon negatively in the United States-in negatively in the United States-in Rastafarian culture its considered Rastafarian culture its considered highly useful and is a special tool for highly useful and is a special tool for religious ritualsreligious rituals

Ganja has been compared to wine in Ganja has been compared to wine in Christianity for taking communionChristianity for taking communion

Other Reggae SymbolsOther Reggae Symbols

Aside from Rasta and Ganja there are Aside from Rasta and Ganja there are other important symbols that represent other important symbols that represent reggaereggae

A very significant symbol for reggae music A very significant symbol for reggae music is Bob Marley-although there are others…is Bob Marley-although there are others…

There are also new symbols for reggae There are also new symbols for reggae musicmusic

Bob MarleyBob Marley Bob Marley was a popular Bob Marley was a popular

reggae artist from the late reggae artist from the late 1960’s through the 1980’s1960’s through the 1980’s

Marley was a lyrical genius Marley was a lyrical genius and an explosive performerand an explosive performer

Marley is a symbol for reggae Marley is a symbol for reggae music-especially for people music-especially for people outside Rastafarian cultureoutside Rastafarian culture

Marley begun singing/writing Marley begun singing/writing during the political turmoil that during the political turmoil that was devouring Jamaica at the was devouring Jamaica at the timetime

Marley was an active Marley was an active Rastafarian and smoked ganja Rastafarian and smoked ganja religiouslyreligiously

Making AssumptionsMaking Assumptions

Those who do not understand reggae music and the Those who do not understand reggae music and the culture behind it assume that it promotes drug use and culture behind it assume that it promotes drug use and resistance this is a comment assumption in the United resistance this is a comment assumption in the United StatesStates

Some individuals consider the music as drug music and Some individuals consider the music as drug music and make negative assumptions based upon what they make negative assumptions based upon what they “think” they know about it“think” they know about it

As mentioned-most assumptions about reggae are As mentioned-most assumptions about reggae are negative-unfortunately this leads individuals to negative-unfortunately this leads individuals to differentiate themselves from the music and the differentiate themselves from the music and the messages it carriesmessages it carries

This way they become close-minded toward the music This way they become close-minded toward the music and its symbolsand its symbols

On a positive noteOn a positive note

There are many positive things There are many positive things about reggae musicabout reggae music

If you are looking for a political If you are looking for a political message you can sometimes message you can sometimes find it and it can become an find it and it can become an inspiration-or someone could inspiration-or someone could be seeking just the music be seeking just the music itself-the rhythmitself-the rhythm

One great thing about Marley’s One great thing about Marley’s music is that his lyrics are very music is that his lyrics are very influential and usually contain influential and usually contain some form of messagesome form of message

Marley’s MessagesMarley’s Messages Bob marleys ability to relate to Bob marleys ability to relate to

many people is due to his many people is due to his atmosphere growing up in atmosphere growing up in oppressed conditions and his oppressed conditions and his personal life experiencespersonal life experiences

Marley’s lyrics bring comfort to Marley’s lyrics bring comfort to many-especially those who are many-especially those who are still dealing with the chaos in still dealing with the chaos in Jamaica. Marley’s lyrics can Jamaica. Marley’s lyrics can apply or relate to anyoneapply or relate to anyone

Usually Marley sends Usually Marley sends messages about love, peace, messages about love, peace, and happiness through his and happiness through his songssongs

Some of these are “one Some of these are “one love”-”redemptions song” love”-”redemptions song” “three little birds” etc.“three little birds” etc.

The ProblemThe Problem

The problem is that there are too many The problem is that there are too many people who assume-based on stereotype people who assume-based on stereotype or what others have symbolizedor what others have symbolized

There are few who do research and what There are few who do research and what to seek the true meaning of something to seek the true meaning of something before making their decision or before making their decision or symbolizationsymbolization

Reggae Now?Reggae Now?

After Marley’s death there After Marley’s death there were some other artists and were some other artists and bands to make names for bands to make names for themselves in reggae musicthemselves in reggae music

There is still some of the There is still some of the negative outlooks on reggae negative outlooks on reggae though there is a little bit of an though there is a little bit of an understanding nowunderstanding now

Some other reggae Some other reggae artists/forms of reggae are still artists/forms of reggae are still currently making musiccurrently making music

The new reggae is not The new reggae is not considered authenticconsidered authentic

Some current artists are Some current artists are Sublime and Slightly StoopidSublime and Slightly Stoopid

Future of ReggaeFuture of Reggae There seems like more and more There seems like more and more

people are beginning to appreciate people are beginning to appreciate reggae both old and newreggae both old and new

Unfortunately we have lost very Unfortunately we have lost very influential artists-Bob Marley and influential artists-Bob Marley and Bradly Nowell of Sublime- both very Bradly Nowell of Sublime- both very popular among reggae listeners-they popular among reggae listeners-they differ in style but one comes from differ in style but one comes from another-Sublime newer) formed in the another-Sublime newer) formed in the late 1980’s and started the reggae late 1980’s and started the reggae scene in California- one of their main scene in California- one of their main influences was bob Marleyinfluences was bob Marley

Another reggae band formed shortly Another reggae band formed shortly after Nowells death-they are called after Nowells death-they are called Slightly Stoopid-from Cali as well- their Slightly Stoopid-from Cali as well- their influences are Marley and Nowell-influences are Marley and Nowell-

Slightly Stoopid uses much of both’s Slightly Stoopid uses much of both’s material material

Summing up…Summing up… Symbolic interactionism is Symbolic interactionism is

a major theoretical a major theoretical perspective that applies perspective that applies to many things and to many things and issues of societyissues of society

Interactionism can Interactionism can influence change upon influence change upon society and it’s social society and it’s social structurestructure

Reggae music is only an Reggae music is only an example of how example of how symbolically people can symbolically people can make assumptions and make assumptions and decisionsdecisions