Richard Kania
Professor of Criminal Justice, Jacksonville State University
Key Findings
- Popular culture and the media converted the perception of pirates from brutal outcasts to adventure heroes for entertainment and profit.
Description
In the article, “Pirates and Piracy in American Popular Culture,” Kania takes a close look at how popular culture absorbed and romanticized the ancient story of pirates. Pirates were once considered fearsome social outcasts but after being embraced by pop culture became heroic, adventure-seeking figures to entertain the public. Kania concluded that the media began depicting pirates in many positive spheres such as movies like the Pirates of the Caribbean series and comedic mascots at sporting events or at sea themed restaurants and downplayed their pillaging past for profit and entertainment.