1-2 SHORT ANSWER 1
1-2 Short Answer: Cultural Objects and Their Culture
Ryan E. Hunt
Southern New Hampshire University
1-2 SHORT ANSWER 2
1-2 Short Answer: Cultural Objects and Their Culture
The three subcultures I have chosen that I identify most with would be a feminist, a
Clevelander, and the punk rock subculture. The most important subculture that I identify with to
me would be Feminism. I think especially in recent times it is so important as a woman and a
mom of two girls to continue living and teacher a lifestyle that feminism is prevalent in.
Worldwide there is still such a sexist mindset to women and their place in the world and the
feminist values should be important to everyone. Next would be identifying as a Clevelander. I
was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and it’s a town that is widely misunderstand but that is
so important to me. And lastly, I identify with the punk subculture in that the music, fashion and
values still play such a vital role to me in my everyday life.
The object I’ve chosen that most aligns with The Clevelander subculture in my opinion is
the Giant Free Stamp located in Downtown Cleveland. This is definitely one of the top
attractions for many tourists passing through as it is so large and one of the first things you see,
but many do not know the backstory to it, which I think portrays Cleveland so well. The
sculptors who created it could only use a short word and they chose the word ‘free’, and at that
time that word meant a lot to our history. The main concept of this was the freedom of the slaves
following the Civil War, as it was to be situated in Downtown Cleveland across from the Civil
War memorial that was already there. This is especially important to Cleveland’s history because
most of the downtown Cleveland population is African American and it shows that Cleveland
stands with them and that they are welcome here to be free, whatever that may mean to them.
1-2 SHORT ANSWER 3
The object I’ve chosen for the Feminism subculture is the photograph titled Untitled
(Your Body is a Battleground) by Barbara Kruger in 1989. Barbara Kruger is known as one of the
most famous feminist artists of her time for taking the female struggles and turning them into art
all while using inclusive pronouns on each art piece to break down the sexist constructs of power
at that time. This piece was so important gained so much popularity at that time because of Roe
V. Wade. Unfortunately, this piece is still relevant even more than 30 years later with the recent
threats to Roe V. Wade and women’s bodily autonomy. This piece speaks to me because it is an
important reminder, even from so long ago, that feminism is still needed and important for our
society and the women in it to thrive.
1-2 SHORT ANSWER 4
1-2 SHORT ANSWER 5
The object I’ve chosen for the Punk subculture is the book Please Kill Me: The
Uncensored Oral History of Punk. This book was so important to me as a teenager because I
loved punk music, and this really gave me the background I needed to understand the music I
was listening to. When I was 12, I began listening to bands like Sex Pistols, The Misfits and The
Ramones and I became so intrigued by them. I loved everything they wrote and sang about, and I
loved the fashion. My older cousin who was also very into punk recommended this book, which
is still the number one selling punk book of all time, and it quickly became one of my favorites,
one that I still read from time to time to this day. The punk movement was more than just sex,
drugs, and music, it stood for individuality, acceptance and freedom from the government and
society. The book went into detail to explain the way they dressed and how it was to shock
society and figures of authority in an attempt to maintain their individuality and keep outsiders
away. The book also conveys how punk not only introduced society to a new type of music, but
they also had an impact on politics and human rights because of the way they were so outspoken
when addressing the inequalities to different races, religions, and sexes from the government.
1-2 SHORT ANSWER 6
References
Shetler, S. (2023, March 07). Quirky attraction: The Giant Free Stamp in Cleveland. Retrieved
April 6, 2023, from https://quirkytravelguy.com/giant-free-stamp-cleveland/
Caldwell, E. C. (2016, July 15). The History of “Your Body Is A Battleground”. Retrieved April
6, 2023, from https://0-daily-jstor-org.univen9.univen.ac.za/the-history-your-body-is-a-
battleground/
Stace, C. (2023, February 01). Feminist art: History & most relevant artists. Retrieved April 6,
2023, from https://magazine.artland.com/feminist-art-history-most-relevant-artists/
Please kill me: The uncensored oral history of punk – UK edition. (2021, December 13).
Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://pleasekillme.com/please-kill-me-uk-edition/
