Propaganda Inquiry: A Synthesis By Maya Legare
From the completion of this course I have learned the depths of propaganda, and all it has impacted and still continues to impact this very day. From understanding the basis of propaganda, learning about its history in American culture and other cultures, and how it is still evident in today’s society, I feel that I have a much stronger grasp on exactly how powerful propaganda actually is. There were many aspects of propaganda that I had never even considered prior to this course, and many concepts that shocked me as they were incredibly relative to my everyday life. While I have now come to the understanding that propaganda is not just a tool used in war or political movements, but rather a means of everyday life. Propaganda is the tool that shapes almost all aspects of life, from social matters, health matters and economic matters, not just war and politics. Understanding the use of propaganda as a means of subtle persuasion has aided me in being able to successfully identify where propaganda is evident in different areas of life. The results of propaganda use have been especially significant to me, as it is so shocking how easily persuaded the masses can actually be. While the history of propaganda seems almost shocking and unbelievable, this course has educated me to understand that it is still just as persuasive and motivating to Americans who still believe they live in the most liberated country in the world. While this may still be true, I feel that so many Americans are entirely unaware of how propaganda is evident in their everyday lives, and just how much they have been personally impacted and influenced by the works of propaganda. As this meme that I have created above suggests some of the more subtle and seemingly harmless works of propaganda, it is a relatable topic that many people can understand and feel similarly about, showing just how easily and effectively propaganda can work.
