Hegemony in Counter Culture

Hegemony is present everywhere. Whether it's the fashion magazines telling you what you're supposed to wear or the news shows telling you how to vote or what to pay attention to, it's there. And whether you admit to being subject to it or not, it's there. I find it interesting that those who try and rebel from the norm of whatever group is in control often succumb to the hegemony of some sort of "rebellious" style. Punk rockers, hip-hop fans, scene kids, and emo kids, even though they say they're against some sort of establishment, all still follow some rules about what is and isn't okay to like in each of their genres. An article I ran across one day while browsing the web really brought this to light regarding the new "indie" scene. It's on eHow called, How To Be An Indie Girl. I'm still not sure whether the article is serious or not, because it comes across as quite mocking. It ironically states, "Regardless of the fact that indie supposedly refers to a unique quality, it has quickly developed a stereotypical style...There's only a few simple steps standing between you, and a new, edgier, more artsy persona." Although it may be mocking the style, it really does make it clear that, regardless of whether we admit it or not, we do all tend to follow what some group says is "cool" to do. So I finish writing this blog post sitting in a local coffee shop that I biked to after my vegetarian lunch that I ate after playing my guitar for a bit, wearing skinny jeans, vintage jewelry, patterned flats, and listening to an Austin indie folk band. So I have to admit, I am a product of hegemony.