Globalization isn’t a concept that I have familiarized myself with as of yet. I have heard it plenty of times, but have never myself made any sort of reference to it due to my lack of knowledge. The spoken concept presented by Juergensmeyer helped to propel my limited knowledge and understanding of the term globalization as a concept. Looking back the last two or three decades my learning curve certainly rose which aloud me to further investigate what Professor Juergensmeyer was speaking of.
Loss of identity is was the first chord struck in my grasp to for a better understanding of globalization. Given my limited knowledge I may be a bit off key, but what I am conjuring up within my grasp is the exchange of products, trademarks, ideas, inhabiting foreign corporations and the introduction of new cultures, particularly from the west to the east. Specifically, I am speaking of a McDonald’s in Cairo, an abundance of Toyotas in western rush hour traffic, headlines featuring Bradgelina’s (Can’t believe I just typed that) whereabouts or the African child that Madonna is going to use to compete with the famed two-headed celebrity monster for publicity at a Seoul news stand, Fender guitar factories in Japan, Citi Bank customer service in India, Cathay Bank in Hacienda Heights, and, of course the Euro. I am guessing that this is globalization. Well, if so then I guess I can understand his (Juergensmeyer) point and where it stems from.
Secular means breed secular ideas. That is the common thought amongst those who follow a religion or a “holy” book. I know this to be true with Christians and Muslims. However, in a country such as those in Latin America and the Middle East, religion and cultural identity are commonly thought of as being synonymous. Coming from a Latino background on my mother’s side I know first hand the point of view that is brought upon the children. The common notion is that, to change your religion is denounce your cultural or ethnic identity. Race somehow always manages to be bred into ones’ beliefs, that is evident from the catholic mother Guadalupe, black Jesus and Mohammed to name a only a few. It seems, with the exception of progressive-minded seekers, that one can only love a god so faithfully if he is drawn up in his own image. My assertion stemming from this new found information is, assuming I’m on the correct track, that those who take part or support these militant acts or demonstrations are in-fear of their culture and possibly the entire body of their people being filtered out in an act of, if you will, economic terrorism. Of course, if you take America into account as a religious reference you can also assume that their also a guarding and policing of morals as well. Taking both of these notions into consideration, it should be noted that in any given culture from America to the Middle East to Latin America, no matter how faithful or religious or secular one might be. One who adheres to, or makes the associative claim to subscribe with these set of values are quick to defend them in a vehement manner when they feel the virtue of those values or the very morals themselves are threatened. Both, culture and religion fuse as one in that instance. That makes for a very stern response, sometimes one of spite and defiance. This I believe is what Professor Mark Juergensmeyer was speaking of.
The professor spoke of having a genuine concern for the beliefs of those having committed the acts, or those who may inspire to. If a “happy medium” shall ever be reached this is the way to do it, but of course, coming to and from both ends. A mutual respect and attention must be paid, borrowing a line from Arthur Miller to get my point across, I am dead-even and sincere that this is the only way. Of course, knowing the solution and having the tools, means and cooperation to achieve it are polar opposites. Hopefully, one day man may have a mutual respect for his brother.
-Jeremy Watkins (M.G.)
No comments:
Post a Comment