Analysis Of Thomas Frank's Commodify Your Dissent

Thomas Frank in the essay, Commodify Your Dissent, argues that American culture has become dependent on rebellion. Frank supports his argument by illustrating the social norms in America during the 1950s with the suburban correctness. For example, he discusses how society respected authority, a mass majority of people attended church, and sexual repression (Frank 152). Then Frank dives into the social rebellion following countercultural ideas. Thomas quotes Jerry Rubin stating “Amerika says: Don’t! The yippies say: Do It!” to explain how society praises going against the old norms of society. Lastly, he argues how corporations use this rebellion aspect to their advantage against consumers. As an example, he states “Consumerism is no longer about "conformity” but about “difference.” (Frank 153). Corporations like to use the argument that their product is different than others and that we …show more content…
Segregation at this time affected areas such as schools, buses, drinking fountains, and even restaurants. Blacks could not escape this type of “separate but equal” treatment only in their own household. Initially, the requests that came with the Montgomery Bus Boycott as listed: hiring black drivers, first-come, first-seated policy, and keep the segregation (Montgomery). However, Alabama refused to make these small changes to bus policies causing the industry to struggle with about seventy-five percent of riders boycotting to take that kind of transportation (Montgomery). This caused America to continue the rebellion against segregation and discrimination till congress made a change. This changed finally occurred outlawing the Jim Crow Laws and blacks starting to get elected into government positions. The change Rosa Parks helped fight for made an impact through society, especially other minorities, to want