That 'for the culture' life, in 3 acts
This is an essay.
People use the term “for the culture,” to cover a lot of ground. There’s an online apparel company that sells a variety of items related to Black cultural touchstones and references. There’s a book that argues true cultural engagement is the most powerful vehicle for influencing consumer behavior. I found a trivia game called For The Culture in the App Store.
Here’s what Google’s AI overview delivers about “for the culture:”
The phrase signifies a desire to support or uplift a specific cultural group, often one with shared interests or backgrounds.
Doing something "for the culture" implies acting in a way that is genuine and aligned with the group's values, rather than simply for the sake of popularity or profit.
Community Benefit:
It emphasizes a focus on the collective good and the preservation or advancement of cultural heritage.
Hip-Hop Context:
The term is widely used within hip-hop culture, where it can mean doing something to honor the legacy and values of hip-hop, not for personal recognition.
(People also use the phrase in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way when referring to activities and behavior that may be only loosely related to the above definitions. All in good fun).
So why am I writing about “for the culture?” Because, without intending to, I had a weekend that really embodied the phrase when my long-time friend Tara Young came to visit from Detroit.
Summary
Saturday afternoon: We volunteered at Urban League headquarters in St. Louis to help distribute food and supplies to people affected by the disastrous storms of May 16. ICYMI, here is a place to find out more about the impact of those storms.
Saturday night: Tara and I took in the August Wilson play “Radio Golf,” staged by The Black Rep. (The run ended on June 1, but I recommend The Black Rep’s offerings in general). The play is set in the late 1990s and remains relevant, witty and poignant. The poster of Tiger Woods was a nice touch on the set.
Sunday afternoon: We binge-watched the Netflix series “Forever,” based on Judy Blume’s classic novel. This interpretation is a fabulous production that is refreshingly low on tropes and cliches about Black families and the inner lives of teenagers. This show truly has something for everyone, that’s how well made it is.
None of this felt doing something because I should do it. It was just organic and extremely satisfying and fun. As a person who embodies many cultures (that’s for another newsletter installment or twenty), it was good to immerse in this kaleidoscope of experiences that are part of the truth of life in these United States.
10/10.
Plan your own “for the culture” weekend, week or even day. Whatever culture you choose, it’ll be awesome.