100 Pieces of Pop Culture That Defined Obamacore

The Era of Optimism and Cringe

From 2008 to 2016, a unique subgenre of pop culture emerged, characterized by its earnest optimism and occasional cringeworthiness. We call this subgenre "Obamacore."

Obamacore encompasses more than just popular media during Barack Obama's presidency. It represents a cultural shift influenced by Obama, who brought art and culture into the White House and embraced the changing experience of art consumption.

Defining Obamacore

Obamacore is not simply pop culture from Obama's era. It's a distinct blend of:

• Genius and cringeworthy moments
• Movies, TV shows, celebrity feuds, deaths, and other cultural events
• Art and culture embraced by Obama and society
• A reflection of how we experienced art and culture during Obama's presidency

Characteristics of Obamacore

Obamacore exhibits several common characteristics:

• Earnest optimism: A belief in progress and the power of individuals to make a difference
• Occasional cringeworthiness: Moments that are overly sentimental or awkward in retrospect
• Cultural diversity: A reflection of America's increasingly diverse population
• Technological innovation: The rise of social media and streaming services shaped how we consumed culture
• Political awareness: Pop culture became more directly engaged with political issues

Examples of Obamacore

Examples of Obamacore include:

• The TV show "Scandal," which depicted a glamorous White House with a black president
• The movie "Selma," which told the story of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches
• The celebrity feud between Kanye West and Taylor Swift
• The death of Michael Jackson