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sergio elmir Sure, it has its downsides - economic exploitation of the third world, environmental disasters and political unrest - but Globalization has also created a new cultural movement in the world that is using American pop to globalize their message. American pop culture invades third world* countries faster and harder than any occupation force could ever dream of. Instead of bombs penetrating homes, it’s MTV. Instead of gunfire taking lives, it’s Coca Cola. There are children who have watched American trained soldiers kill and torture people in the shadow of U.S. billboards. Their homes are invaded by both gun totting thugs and cable TV. In the wake of these atrocities, a new generation of protest is rising up against the foreign invaders. The difference being, instead of taking up arms like their oppressors, these new revolutionaries are picking up instruments. Just as Che Guevara becomes a Hollywood icon and a familiar face on t-shirts and the Zapatista movement continues to grow in popularity and global solidarity, the world is shrinking. It’s now easier to access each others culture through a multitude of different channels. In the west, we consider this a luxury. In the third world, this information is considered a weapon. There are MC’s in Cuba rhyming about social equality, there are Mexican Punk rockers screaming about corporate greed, there are Reggae singers in Puerto Rico grooving on racial and economic equality. All have realized the power of music, and use it to capture the hearts and minds of their own people. The popularity of this new fusion of sounds with a common heart and soul is creating a buzz in the music industry. Blindly, the record labels will eventually finance the downfall of the corporations that own them. Anonimo Consejo is one of Cuba’s most respected
hip-hop crews. Mixing revolutionary lyrics with a specific Cuban rhythm
and flow, they aim their musical attacks against the oppressive blockade
that has caused Cuba so much strife as well as the foreign policy that
threatens the balance of peace in the world. Tego Calderon has become a global phenomenon with his mix of conscious lyrics and heavy reggae vibes. He speaks on the underlying racism that is found in Latin America that is only fed by American stereotypes seen in movies and TV. He’s also not afraid to show the dirt side to the exotic island of Puerto Rico, rhyming about kids with guns and babies without moms brought on by American economic exploitation. These are only a few examples of how the third world is attacking back against oppression. This is the new era spawned by globalization. The rule of divide and conquer no longer applies. We are slowly beginning to realize that we are one and we are many and there is power in numbers. Sure the world is fucked up because of Globalization, but the good news is that we have a weapon against the oppression. Culture. In the past, culture has helped unite tribes, cities and civilizations against foreign invaders and slave traders. Languages and customs have remained intact because of culture, allowing many in the third world to survive the harsh realities of their homeland. Today, culture can save us all. It is true, western culture is becoming more empty as we become more pop than culture, but we have the power to change that. In the third world, culture is more important than gender, creed or political affiliation. In Brazil, the minister of culture is legendary musician and activist, Gilberto Gil. In Panama, famed musician and actor Ruben Blades, known for his conscious lyrics and support of humanitarian causes, ran for president and is now the minister of Tourism. In the U.S., Arnold Schwarzenegger is governor. The world is becoming smaller and we are all becoming more aware of each others suffering. Culture is always the best way to understand another part of the world, and now we can look at each other and see how similar we all are. As the world shrinks and becomes more fucked up, we have the choice to either be a part of the problem or part of the solution. Strive to be a culture not to be cultured.* *
*The writer of this piece hates the term third world but uses it in this
case for lack of a better term. In order to assume that most of Latin
America is third world, we must then consider the U.S. and Canada to be
the first world. Latin America is comprised of many generations of people
who’s ancestors were Incas, Aztecs and Mayas. So basically because
these already established civilizations that mastered astronomy, mathematics
and many other scientific schools of thought, were fucking destroyed by
Europeans, they became the third world. Ain’t history a motherfucker?
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