Sheri Parks

In the wake of the Aurora movie theater massacre, a look at gun culture and violence in the U.S. Many assert that the media (movies, tv, and video games in particular) contribute to our culture of violence. Or is it our historic celebration of guns and power, in the name of liberty, that leads to these mass murders? And why is it young, white males who perpetrate the majority of mass killings? Midday culture commentator Sheri Parks helps to answer these difficult and polarizing questions.

A rebroadcast of our lively discussion about the wildly popular "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, the erotic-themed novels that still hold the top three spots on the New York Times bestseller list for both e-books and trade paperbacks. Some call it "mommy porn." Others have praised the novels for helping women talk and think more freely about sex. But are its themes of S&M and sexual submission harmless fantasy or is there something problematic in its popularity? Why are millions of women responding to these books and why now?

'Stand Your Ground' laws and self-defense, racial profiling in gated America, and the boy in the hoodie, with our guests: David Gray, associate professor in criminal law and procedure at the University of Maryland School of Law; Nathan Connolly, assistant professor in the Department of History at the Johns Hopkins University and Sheri Parks, associate professor in American studies at the University of Maryland and a regular contributor to Midday on American culture.

American culture commentator Sheri Parks on Rush Limbaugh and the use of ridicule in public discourse, talk radio and the culture wars.

If same-sex marriage in Maryland gets full General Assembly approval, it could still face voter referendum in November, and among the opposition: black pastors, whose influence is strong. And while the overwhelming majority of black clergy in the state still oppose same-sex marriage, a few young pastors have come out in support.

Last year, the U.S. television audience for the Super Bowl reached a record 111 million. How did it come to this? As this Sunday’s game approaches, Midday’s culture commentator Sheri Parks takes a look at professional football's dominance and wide appeal -- across class, race, generational and gender lines -- and the powerful emotional attachments fans develop with teams such as the Baltimore Ravens.

A review of the Republican presidential primary debates with Sheri Parks, Midday contributor and associate professor of American studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. How did Newt Gingrich use the debates to trip up Mitt Romney, and will Romney's response to Gingrich's in-your-face style be enough to turn the race around again? We'll size up Thursday night's final debate before the Florida primary and listen to key moments in the exchanges that made the difference for Gingrich in South Carolina.

Sheri Parks, Midday's American culture commentator, takes a look at how luxury and style are embraced by two groups: black women and gay men. Despite a lackluster economy, members of the black community  -- its middle-class women, in particular -- aspire to own furs and expensive jewelry. Gay men are often recognized for their meticulous, dapper and eye-catching apparel. Sheri Parks has some keen observations to share about conspicuous consumption and flamboyant style, both used to communicate very different messages.

Sheri Parks, Midday's American culture contributor, on the latest parenting trend – complaining about it in public. (REBROADCAST)

Picking up on the Occupy Wall Street movement that is inspiring nationwide activism, Occupy Baltimore protestors have been in the Inner Harbor’s McKeldin Square since October 4th. They aim to call attention to the glaring inequity between the 1 percent of Americans who own 40 percent of the nation’s wealth and the rest of us: what they call “the 99 percent”. This hour: a look at the Occupy Movement. Is this the long awaited rise of the left? Can growing populist anger over corporate greed and money’s influence on politics actually effect change? Is this the left’s answer to the Tea Party?