Election Night and the Mannequin Challenge Reign Supreme in November Social Trends
This fall has been nothing short of crazy in terms of trending topics and newsworthy moments. With that being said, let’s cut to the chase and dive right into what’s been #trending for the month of November.
Election Night
This one is a no-brainer. The shockwaves of Donald J. Trump’s victory over Hillary Rodham Clinton for presidential candidacy have not yet died down. The reason for this is because of how unexpected Trump’s win was. In the polls before election day, an initial impression was made that Clinton would ultimately take the cake. She wasn’t far ahead in the race, but she had been for so many months leading up to the early voting period that many people couldn’t see any other outcome but Clinton winning.
Trump wound up winning many of the battle ground states, including Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, not to mention the 26 already red states Trump had in his pocket, as well. Trump also claimed 276 of the electoral votes with Clinton only receiving 218. While Clinton led the popular vote with 47.7 percent to Trump’s 47.5 percent, it was already too late. In the aftermath of the election there have been many protests over Trumps win. Around the world, anti-Trump protesters took to the streets in response to the outcome of the election, and are continuing their efforts daily as the president-elect begins to roll out his plans for 2017.
The Walking Dead
AMC’s zombie-filled drama didn’t leave anything to chance when its seventh season premiered in late October. The gore-filled episode began where viewers left off: with Rick and the group awaiting their fate at the hands of Negan and his wire-bound bat, Lucille. The heart-pounding anticipation of the fate of the beloved characters was only amplified with the multitude of commercial breaks cutting in between the carnage. Sadly for many Walking Dead fans, two fan favorites were killed off. The episode was just what the series needed, however, with the blood-soaked drama drawing in 17 million total viewers and giving it its highest-rated episode to date.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs shattered expectations earlier this month when they won Game Seven of the World Series. The game was an 8–7, 10-inning victory over the Cleveland Indians. The Indians rallied with three runs in the eighth inning, which included a two-out, two-strike, two-run home run by Rajai Davis. After a brief rain delay following the ninth inning, the Cubs pushed two runs across in the tenth inning on a double by Ben Zobrist, who also happened to be the Series’ MVP. The Cubs held their breath during the bottom of the inning when Davis hit a run-scoring single to pull the Indians to a run behind. Reliever Mike Montgomery replaced Carl Edwards and got Michael Martinez to hit a ball into the infield. Third baseman Kris Bryant scooped it up and threw across to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. As the ball flew across the diamond the stadium went silent until it finally settled into Rizzo’s glove, giving the Cubs the World Series win! Fans celebrated after the monumental win by lingering nearly an hour after the game, moving into the field while waving W flags and singing the Cubs’ victory anthem.
Doctor Strange
Marvel and Disney’s superhero feast for the eyes, Doctor Strange, opened to U.S. audiences on November 4th and reactions have been nothing but praise. The story follows Dr. Stephen Strange as his life is permanently changed following a life-altering car crash that robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine is no longer an option for Dr. Strange, he turns to a mysterious enclave in Nepal where he seeks healing and hope. He quickly learns the enclave is actually at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality.
Doctor Strange is in its second week topping the box office in a row, grossing more than $153 million. It is the second-fastest of Marvel’s single-character introduction films to reach that mark, just behind 2008’s blockbuster hit Iron Man.
Mannequin Challenge
It’s the viral video sensation that’s sweeping the nation. Unlike the Ice Bucket Challenge, the Harlem Shake, lip dubs, or any of the plethora of viral videos out there, the Mannequin Challenge stands alone, literally. In this latest viral video fad, groups of people gather and freeze themselves in place, often in elaborate positions or scenarios as the person responsible for filming walks through the scene and zooms in on the details. This trend even has its own theme song, as most of the videos are set to the song “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd. The rap duo even recorded their own mannequin challenge during a concert in early November. So, how long do you think this fad will last?
What do you think of our attempt at the Mannequin Challenge?
