Visual Media and How They Shape Our Collective Memory

Memory and Culture

visual media and how they shape our collective memory.

Zelizer and food culture

According to B. Zelizer's analysis of the book Realms of memory: "We are enlightened by the curious notion that one's food an indicator of one's level of civilization" (Zelizer 1999: 202-203). In discussing the symbolic language of France, food plays an important role in the author's analysis. Food symbolizes collective aspects of the culture as well as personal aspects of nutrition. This can be seen in every nation. Cultural constructions affect personal tastes, and quite often what food symbolizes is equally important as how the food tastes. The visual of a steak or piece of meat has symbolic significance in America beyond providing information about what is available at a supermarket or restaurant.

Red meat has come to symbolize indulgence and decadence in the eyes of many people. This is partially because it is expensive, relative to some other food products. But expense alone cannot explain the symbolic significance of red meat, given the fact that there are many other expensive foods like fish that do not have the same symbolic weight. People who do not eat meat like vegetarians and vegans rally against the idea that meat is a good thing to eat, and some people in the name of health claim that meat is a kind of 'heart attack on a platter.' Going out to eat at a steakhouse is seen as a celebration of food, versus eating a salad, which is seen as a sign of self-denial.

On a logical level, this does not always make sense. A salad can be very decadent, and a small piece of lean meat can be very low in calories. However, 'a steak dinner' carries a symbolic cultural weight that transcends the artifact itself. The visual image of a slab of red meat, dispersed with swirls of white fat conveys something about the eater, while eating a salad, even a salad with cheese, croutons and a creamy dressing does not. "Memory is no longer part of everyday experience. Memory today remains embodied in a proliferation of cultural, religious, political, and economic sites" (Zelizer 1999: 202). Choosing to adhere to the traditions of one's past and choosing to eat a hot dog on the Fourth of July signifies embracing a collective food memory tradition, while rejecting that tradition and serving a vegan tofu pup signifies a rejection of those values. In France, according to Zelizer, the 'Gallic cook' symbolizes one thing, while in America; the meat-eater symbolizes a traditional kind of Americana.

There are historical reasons for the importance of red meat in American culture, and its associations with American tradition. Ranching has a very powerful role in the history of the modern American food system. Rejecting eating red meat is much more popular amongst young, urban, affluent elites who are removed from the culture of the West and are not reliant upon the economics of the meat industry. On a macro, collective cultural level this has created a divide between meat-eaters and non-meat eating consumers that is also political and sociological in nature, as well as biologically, economically and environmentally-based.