After5NewYork - How Pop Culture Decides What History We Remember

A Conversation on How Pop Culture Shapes Historical Memory

Join a media historian and researcher for How Pop Culture Decides What History We Remember, a fascinating exploration of how movies, television, historical fiction, and digital media mold public perception of the past. As audiences increasingly consume history through entertainment rather than archives, pop culture acts as the primary filter determining which events are celebrated, mythologized, or forgotten. Together, we'll uncover how dramatic storytelling, commercial incentives, and visual media shape our collective memory of history.

What We'll Cover:

• The power of narrative over nuance - Explore how complex historical events, systemic processes, and multi-year conflicts are condensed into dramatic character arcs, hero tropes, and simplified storylines.
• Visual memory and modern lenses - Discover how cinematic aesthetics create accepted "visual truths" about the past, and how present-day values and politics are projected onto historical figures.
• Commercial viability and historical erasure - Examine why certain dramatic eras are continuously portrayed on screen while uncomfortable, non-Western, or complex histories are often left behind.

Whether you're fascinated by media, film history, sociology, or public memory, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how the media we consume defines the history we remember.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.

About The Speaker:

Dr. Joyce-Zoë Farley is a media professional, educator, and researcher holding a PhD in African American Studies along with advanced training in journalism. Her career spans broadcast and digital media, including experience working in campus radio, as well as academic work focused on race, storytelling, and public memory. In 2024, she delivered a featured talk exploring the intersection of pop culture and Black cultural memory. Dr. Farley is currently working on a book project that examines pop culture, Black culture, and iconic television like The Golden Girls, analyzing how themes of community, chosen family, and choosing friendship over everything shape modern cultural narratives. Her background merges rigorous historical research, journalism, and media critique to highlight how popular media shapes collective memory and identity.

Good to know before you come:

• Exact bar location will be disclosed in your confirmation email
• Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled
• The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward
• This is a participatory event
• Seating is limited to keep the experience intimate