Global Lights: Social Contexts of 1984

The AIDS Epidemic- The early 80's saw the start of an epidemic of a new and very misunderstood disease. Though a cases had been reported earlier around the world, not much was known about a new set of symptoms effecting some Americans. HIV and the AIDS virus spread especially quickly through the homosexual community. Since the homosexual and artistic communities shared many ties and influential figures, the epidemic gained most of it's media exposure from musicians, fashion designers and artists who either suffered from it (like Perry Ellis, Keith Haring) or raised awareness for thier afflicted contemporaries. The importance of safer sex practices became a battlecry for artists and pop stars. Also, the link between AIDS cases and IV drug use led to more education on the danger of drugs like Heroin.
Apartheid- While the country of South Africa had practiced the legal segregation of races since the 1930's, after the Civil Rights movements in America and Europe, the practice of Apartheid came under international scrutiny. Musicians like Bono of U2 and artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basqiat often spoke out against racial injustice in the US and Africa in thier mediums.
The "MTV Generation"- The convenience, compactness and relatively low cost of cassette tapes over albums made young people's music heard all over streets, malls and halls. MTV's repetoir of music videos made young celebrities feel more accesible to the average teen, inspiring a culture of pop-star emmulation like never before. The wild, sculpted men's hair styles modelled by Flock of Seagulls became common in highschools and colleges. Jazzercise outfits, spandex and legwarmers seen in the dance sequences of videos were integrated into everyday dress. MTV had been on the air for over three years before holding thier first ever Music Award show. Madonna's controversial performance of, “Like a Virgin,” was as terrifying to parents as it was stimulating to teens. Young girls copied Madonna's sexy, gothic, flirtatious style immediately. The power of pop music combined with the in-your-face flash of videos and interviews made MTV a huge, lasting cultural influence.