Sociology of Culture Using Chris Rock's Selective Outrage on Netflix

Sociology of Culture Using Chris Rock's Selective Outrage on Netflix 

Maria Aloysius

Apart from having a great comeback and roasting Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith after his infamous Oscar slap, Chris Rock gave us a free masterclass in Sociology of Culture. Culture is often refers to a large and diverse set of values, beliefs, language and communication as well as practices and rituals people share in common. Culture is all around us, like it or not. I find these 3 cultures rather disturbing.

1. America's biggest addiction : Attention

What's new? This isn't just happening in America. We are living in an attention-seeking culture, craving validation in the form of 'likes'. The need to loved and to be accepted is no longer what we strive for. We want to be 'liked'. Whatever does that mean? Everyone has this strange fascination about being rich, famous and of course, powerful and influential. Rock identifies 4 ways of being famous : showing off your body/body parts, being infamous, being excellent and finally, playing victim. We live in a culture where selling your body online makes you a good profit (OnlyFans/The Kardashians), murdering or causing others pain and suffering makes you newsworthy and finally, complaining is the new normal. 

2. Woke Business Culture

Aren't we bored by this culture by now? Countless institutions establishments, businesses and might I add, learning institutions, universities and colleges label themselves as 'philanthropists', 'activists' and 'charities', 'donating' and helping people in need. 'SOCIAL BUSINESSES' or 'SOCIAL ENTRPRISES' are pretending to be diverse, inclusive, against sexism, racism, and hate. But, the truth? It's all WHITEWASH! And yet no-one ever calls them out. What hypocrisy! With skyrocketing inflation, increasing prices of food and services, no-one really cares about charity at this point! 

3. 'Playing Victim' Culture

From #MeToo to #Believeallwomen, victimhood culture is nothing new. Just to name a few : Meghan Markle, Amber Heard, Prince Harry! People are playing victim, to the extent where real victims who need help are dismissed and trampled upon. How sick is that? We hear certain privileged groups moaning and groaning, doing their eternal complaining. Playing victim is also a new way of securing wealth and making a profit! 

I agree with Rock.  Selective outrage is a fitting title for his comedy/truth show. Selective = choosing. Outrage = ridiculous reactions to certain issues and topics. People choose how angry, or frustrated they are and point the finger at others, blame others. Oh wait! Another culture. The Blame-Game or The No Accountability Culture, refusing to take accountability for anything wrong or unpleasant and owning up to one's mistake. Our culture clearly promotes that! If this is the culture NOW, I truly wonder as a sociologist/human being, what will be tomorrow's culture? Should we be concerned?