Entry #8 Globalization
Someone told me once about a thing called globalization and how it would be the future of our world, how 747s would carry the fanatacism of Tibetan culture into the the heart of Harlem and how little girls in Ghana would be dancing to the tunes of the latest American idol, broadcasted via their new ipod with satellite technology. All the punk-rockers in the Middle-East would be so happy.
Even in my drab little town, I could see it with my own eyes. Vibrant cultures of every sort infusing my modest American suburb with some much needed vitality. Asian, African, European, you could taste the flavors of the world on your tongue with every invigorating breath of air. Not to say, of course, that the town had lost its sense of nationalism. Patriotism was very much alive and the star-spangled banner hung high outside every home came the first few days of July. It was one's duty after all, to love one's country. But like most times in history, there was often a difference between what hung outside our doors and what was held within our hearts.
Even here in Shanghai, half a world away, I can see the effects of globalization. Having begun its influence on this avant-garde city of the East in the long ago years before the great revolution, its footprints are more profound here than in any other region of this pubescent country. But unlike the developed western nations, its influence here is not quite so complete. One can distinctly detect an overwhelming bias, even prejudice in its works. The billboards and commercials pitching cosmetic products to women/men of all ages, L'Oreal, Nivea, Maybelline, they provide therapy for a generation of people that can't come to terms with who they are. Is this a result of globalization? I see western culture oozing out from the crevices of the city streets, but it's not the real thing. Far from it, it lacks the soul of the romantics. There is none of the inherent morals or values that has shaped me and billions of others into who they are today. What we get here are the dead things, the clothes, the make-up, the movies, the trendy bars and restaurants. People here don't enjoy the luxury of being able to travel freely, so they never discover the ridiculous falseness of it all. It's like some virus filled blister that just keeps getting larger because it feeds on the healthy cells trapped within. People here can't choose what they're exposed to and they haven't the ability to escape that which is forced upon them. It's like poison gas over the airwaves, destroying people en mass, in that stealthily invisible and odorless way.
I will not deny that perhaps globalization is indeed the future of our world, but as responsible advocates of justice, I believe we should never allow our curiosity to falter. We must ask ourselves, who are the people leading this movement and to what extent do they stand to benefit? Is globalization really as noble and grand as its name suggests or is it just a veil of good will disguising some classic plot of tyranny?
The things I see keep me questioning.
Even in my drab little town, I could see it with my own eyes. Vibrant cultures of every sort infusing my modest American suburb with some much needed vitality. Asian, African, European, you could taste the flavors of the world on your tongue with every invigorating breath of air. Not to say, of course, that the town had lost its sense of nationalism. Patriotism was very much alive and the star-spangled banner hung high outside every home came the first few days of July. It was one's duty after all, to love one's country. But like most times in history, there was often a difference between what hung outside our doors and what was held within our hearts.
Even here in Shanghai, half a world away, I can see the effects of globalization. Having begun its influence on this avant-garde city of the East in the long ago years before the great revolution, its footprints are more profound here than in any other region of this pubescent country. But unlike the developed western nations, its influence here is not quite so complete. One can distinctly detect an overwhelming bias, even prejudice in its works. The billboards and commercials pitching cosmetic products to women/men of all ages, L'Oreal, Nivea, Maybelline, they provide therapy for a generation of people that can't come to terms with who they are. Is this a result of globalization? I see western culture oozing out from the crevices of the city streets, but it's not the real thing. Far from it, it lacks the soul of the romantics. There is none of the inherent morals or values that has shaped me and billions of others into who they are today. What we get here are the dead things, the clothes, the make-up, the movies, the trendy bars and restaurants. People here don't enjoy the luxury of being able to travel freely, so they never discover the ridiculous falseness of it all. It's like some virus filled blister that just keeps getting larger because it feeds on the healthy cells trapped within. People here can't choose what they're exposed to and they haven't the ability to escape that which is forced upon them. It's like poison gas over the airwaves, destroying people en mass, in that stealthily invisible and odorless way.
I will not deny that perhaps globalization is indeed the future of our world, but as responsible advocates of justice, I believe we should never allow our curiosity to falter. We must ask ourselves, who are the people leading this movement and to what extent do they stand to benefit? Is globalization really as noble and grand as its name suggests or is it just a veil of good will disguising some classic plot of tyranny?
The things I see keep me questioning.
posted by Peter at 12:08 AM
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