As students attempt to cram a semester’s worth of knowledge in preparation for finals week, we realize that, in less than a blink of an eye, 2014 is coming to an end. We’ve seen some pretty amazing, provocative, and culturally defining events throughout the year so, without further adieu, here are some of the people, topics, and social movements that made an impact in 2014.
Laverne Cox
This breakout star from the critically acclaimed TV show Orange is the New Black has generated buzz in both pop culture and social justice circles. She landed the cover of TIME magazine, was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance as Sophia Burset on OITNB, and provided huge visibility for the transgender community. Laverne Cox has used her fame to address important issues affecting the transgender community such as violence, poverty and misogyny, and has been instrumental in bringing forth transgender advocacy to mainstream media.
Dystopias
Young Adult dystopic fiction has been around for a while now, but 2014 was when we really saw the phenomenon take off at the box office. This year gave us the adaptations of Divergent, Mockingjay Part I, and The Giver, some of the most prominent novels in the dystopic genre. It solidified the presence of the YA dystopia in pop culture, and generated a massive fan base in light of prominent YA franchises such as Harry Potter and Twilight’s departures from the silverscreen.
Butts
Butts. Butts Butts Butts Butts Butts. If I wrote it five more times I still wouldn’t get close to how prominent butts became during 2014. From Meghan Trainor’s “All About that Bass” to Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” to JLo and Iggy Azalea’s “Big Booty,” this was a year where female pop stars decided to make female sexuality a frequent topic for discussion. Butts are nothing new in pop music, but what is different is the fact that women, rather than men, are generating the discussions on sexuality and body image. Love it or hate it, the booty became an all pervasive topic during the year, and it sure as hell isn’t going away any time soon.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Former Daily Show correspondent John Oliver made headlines with his new show Last Week Tonight, and one fifteen minute clip easily proves why. He set himself apart from contemporaries Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert by giving in depth coverage on topics that, quite frankly, were more engaging and informative than traditional news channels such as CNN and Fox News. Rather than simply poke fun at ridiculous politicians or critique media outlets, he gets viewers to not just laugh at the issues he presents, but question them. From his coverage of the less than savory aspects of the FIFA World Cup, to arguing for a case for prison reform, to his critique of the Miss America Pageant, John Oliver presents investigative journalism at its finest.
Feminism
Feminism certainly isn’t new, but 2014 has been a year where we’ve really highlighted just how much further we have to go in order to achieve gender equality. This was the year when public figures have fearlessly declared their feminist identities, where actresses Emma Watson delivered a powerful speech in front of the UN assembly as part of the HeforShe campaign, and where the general public has become far more receptive to discussions on topics such as equal pay, women in politics, and social double standards.
Social Justice Hashtags
Hashtags such as #YesAllWomen, #WhyIStayed and #BlackLivesMatter are a testament to the power of social media. It connected individuals to critical social issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and racial injustice. These hashtags allow people from oppressed groups to communicate problems that socially priviledged individuals may often overlook, and prove that, despite its pitfalls, the power of social media can be used for good.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Some found it effective, some found it to be a waste of water, but everyone can agree that the Ice Bucket Challenge made a splash in 2014 and created huge gains for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) advocacy. It generated over 100 million dollars in donations, and had public figures such as Oprah, Jimmy Fallon, and even governor Chris Christie drenching themselves in ice cold water for a good cause. The Ice Bucket Challenge brought notoriety to an ignored disease and provided greater visibility to patients suffering from this and other neurodegenerative conditions across the world.
Beyoncé
I honestly don’t even need to prove why Beyoncé has become a force to reckon with in pop culture, but I might as well give a recap anyway: with a surprise album that broke the internet (Sorry, Kim Kardashian), a jaw droppingly awesome VMA performance, and arguably the best musical tour promotion trailer of all time, there is only one thing to do: Bow Down to the Queen Bey.
Taylor Swift
Like Beyonce, she sprung a surprise album on her fans, declared her feminist stance, and made one of the coolest music videos of all time (seriously, how can you NOT love her “Blank Space” music video?). She’s garnered respect from even the most ardent of haters and has put Spotify’s business model into question after pulling her entire album from the site. Taylor Swift proves that she has shed her country music roots in favor of a savvier, more mature and business oriented image.
Happy New Year, and can’t wait to see what 2015 has to bring!
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