The Nineties: A Book

This chapter examines the evolution of language, concepts, and cultural attitudes during the ’90s, particularly focusing on controversial topics and artistic expression. Klosterman discusses how words and ideas interacted in complex ways, often leading to misunderstandings or unintended consequences.

The author begins by exploring the Los Angeles Times’s 1993 decision to implement new guidelines for language use, which sparked debate about political correctness. He then delves into the controversy surrounding the rap group 2 Live Crew’s album As Nasty As They Wanna Be, which was briefly classified as legally obscene. This leads to a discussion of Ice-T’s song “Cop Killer,” which generated significant backlash due to its provocative lyrics about violence against law enforcement.

Klosterman then shifts focus to examine how movies like Kids and In the Company of Men pushed boundaries in their depictions of youth culture and misogyny. Kids portrays a group of reckless teenagers engaging in risky sexual behavior and drug use in New York City, while In the Company of Men follows two businessmen who devise a cruel plan to emotionally manipulate and hurt a vulnerable woman. Both films shocked audiences with their raw and unflinching portrayals of disturbing human behavior, challenging societal norms and expectations.