Final Thoughts

What can we surmise from this lesson in Media and Cultural studies?  Well, to put it pessimistically, we have all been contributing to the downfall of our own society, and we are all racist sexist capitalists.  We can't even stay at home and watch television without being participants in the hegemonic oppression of the working and middle classes.  If we watch King of Queens, we are accepting the stereotypes of a clumsy, simple minded, and stubborn working class.  If we watch BET, then we are only promoting the idea that selling out to please a white majority is acceptable.  If we watch Real Housewives, we are living vicariously through a pseudo-rich and lavish family, which ultimately alienates us as a lower class.

But to put it optimistically we have a new plain of vision before us.  We can apply theories of philosophy and sociology to areas of our life that we would otherwise take for granted.  And in the best cases, we can recognize the early signs of hegemony and can decide whether or not to participate.  So, even though we may be racist sexist capitalists, we have the choice to become a bit better.  And in the end that's what really counts; not what we are, but what we choose.