What do the college students of today represent?

Are they standing up for their political beliefs or striving to make the world a better place? Vote or die has long been over, and it seems that there is little left for students to represent. But they’ve found something. We’ve all heard of pop culture. But what about the war on pop culture?

Time used to be influenced by the musical culture, but today’s college generation has turned it around. Music is now influencing the time. Folk songs spoke of peace, not war, and fair labor laws, while art rock was a product of the drugs and hippies.

Punk songs shattered all that democracy was made of. During the times that these songs came to be, revolutions, demonstrations and changes to our society were being made, which was clearly reflected in the music of the time.

Today as I walk on campus viewing the different clothing styles and listen in on conversations taking place, it comes to my attention that time is no longer making the music; music is, in fact, making the time.

What is popular in music culture is popular in society, from the clothes to the speech and to the issues addressed.

On the opposing side, we have those who rebel against popular or mainstream culture. These are the individuals that dig deep in search of no-name bands, shop deep for clothing that is not already trendy and try their hardest to ignore and even mock popular slang.

Of course, not everyone falls into these categories; there are those that are innocent bystanders, enjoying the benefits of both sides.

Although issues remain unsolved in society, college students have moved on from the Civil Rights movement. It is now the indie movement of underground culture. It is not fighting the man, but about fighting the music industry.

Attending a university, I was expecting to witness a movement, a value being represented, or a revolution of some sort, the types of things you read about in history books, but instead I am witnessing a war on pop culture.

Not that this is not interesting.

The Civil Rights movement does not have to stop in the history books. The issues of our society have not vanished, so why doesn’t the music reflect the issue? The answer is simple: the issue is the music.

Angela Rosas can be reached at [email protected]