There
are a lot of ways to explore globalization- especially when coming from a gendered perspective. In the most basic definition, globalization refers
to the companies, the integration of new technology, and the resources that
expand to other cultures to add to the world-wide economy. Interaction is
influenced by international trading and types of innovation or resources can be
positive and negative. However, I wanted to dig deeper on Marchand's article because while she briefly touches on globalization and its impacts, I found a need to address the impact that globalization and media can have on one's identity (and food because I'm a foodie and I can't help myself!!)
"Being such a multidimensional phenomenon,
globalisation, or global restructuring, has touched upon many facets of our
lives, ranging from a restructuring of the (welfare) state, the omnipresence of
new information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as mobile
phones and the internet, to the creation of neoliberal subjectivities" (Marchand p.926)
Perhaps
by coincidence, I was watching a show on Netflix this week called Ugly Delicious. In this
show, an acclaimed chef travels the world meeting writers, activists, and other
chefs who break down common misconceptions of food and go into depth about
culture and cuisine. The episode I watched revolved around Chinese culture and
I was amazed to see how much globalization has affected their food practices,
identity and culture. This spreads further than the Americanized Chinese food
we enjoy in the states. In this case, globalization (or Americanization??) has
spread as far in the classrooms of China where they teach American restaurant
language. What is this you may be asking yourself? Well, according to the show,
part of it was teaching them to speak “more American,” when they pronounce
foods such as “fried rice.”
While
I see good in connecting cultures, I have trouble with the underlying racism
and sexism that can come with globalization-specifically in the media. Messages in the media can exclude
pertinent information or lie all together. In Ugly Delicious, they mention when Chinese migrated to America, they were forced out of jobs traditionally held by American men and eventually took the jobs normally held by women so the men would not have competition in their fields. Furthermore, Chinese were viewed in the media as "dirty," which is turn made a stereotype that translated to their restaurants. Similarly, the
media went wild over MSG in Chinese food and people claimed it was making them
ill. Yet, they go on to further explain how MSG is in almost every American
junk food on the market and no one complains about getting sick from Ruffles or
Doritos. Some could argue that we are a
product of what the rich companies advertise in the media and we believe what
they want us to believe. Is is a coincidence that all cleaning commercials are of women?
I would be interested to see just how far globalization has impacted male and female identity. It is hard not to think we have all been touched by this and someway. Whether that be how we view ourselves or how we view others. I think it is important to take a step back and think about the bigger picture. Making assumptions may be necessary to categorize all the information we receive on a daily basis, but we must start thinking about how we act on these assumptions.
I would be interested to see just how far globalization has impacted male and female identity. It is hard not to think we have all been touched by this and someway. Whether that be how we view ourselves or how we view others. I think it is important to take a step back and think about the bigger picture. Making assumptions may be necessary to categorize all the information we receive on a daily basis, but we must start thinking about how we act on these assumptions.
In
anticipation that not all hope is loss, current ideals and technology allow for
the eye-opening truths in forms of other news and information outlets. There
have been several eye-opening documentaries and shows that can give the
population pertinent information in a form they can understand. While they
might not be as well known as some of the more acclaimed media outlets, they do
exist. I believe if we wish to see a social change we must start by demanding
more transparency with big companies and government. I find my faith learning
towards the power of the collective and we should be the change we wish to see
in the world.
I've attached an article over-view of the episode and if you ever have some time to spare- this show is really good!!
This is an interesting topic that brings many questions to mind. Living in the US, we have access to so many ethnic foods due to globalization. My home town (a relatively small town on the Ohio River), continues to attract ethnic restaurants. The latest addition is an Indian restaurant (adding to Chinese, Japanese, Mexican and Italian). I find this interesting because my county is extremely Republican, so presumably many people are very concerned about immigration, but give these restaurants a lot of support (I think the way to our hearts is transparent). I know that the restaurants must cater to American tastes, so their cultures and food change in response, especially if immigrants come here for this purpose. I wonder if my small town is an example of the demand for ethnic cuisine all over the country (and in my experience, it is). Just through the avenue of Americanized cuisine, a wide variety of societies and cultures may be impacted.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the introduction of ethnic restaurants to other countries is one response to economic restructuring (and of course, increased globalization). As informalization of work increases worldwide (discussed by Pearson 2007 and Whitson 2010), having a restaurant would be one way to allow more formalization of work in a country that desires the product. Even if restaurants are permitted to skirt around formalized labor laws, these restaurants seem to do well so there is a guarantee of work and a wage. In addition, migrants coming to the US may benefit from sending their kids to US schools (perhaps they have dealt with austerity measures back home to cut social expenditures, or just want to learn English).
I too wonder how providing Americanized cuisine may affect gender roles. Depending on the restaurant, there may be predominantly male workers, predominantly female, or what seems to be half-and-half. Customers are also largely unaware who works in the back of the restaurant. If workers are sending remittances back home, then gender roles may be affected in their home country or will be different when their families join them in the US.
Your definition of globalization, and how you developed it with Marchand’s description of globalization, was helpful. I also liked how you expanded the definition and description to how globalization expands food to other parts of the world and how we need to consider how food is misunderstood or passively consumed and appropriated.
ReplyDeleteWith food appropriation in mind, I found David Cheng’s message about it to be valuable. In past conversations, media outlets, and even an English course, I’ve observed mostly critical views about appropriation. However, with regard to food, Cheng presented a new view to me when he said, “it’s better to go down the rabbit hole.” It seems like he encouraged people to adopt food practices that are not theirs, but he also expressed concerns over potentially killing food practices. Another producer of food knowledge, Eddie Huang, expands on a more general aspect of how globalization influences and impacts people’s identities, lives and practices. In his the Shanghai episode of Huang’s World on YouTube, he says, “I didn’t know what I was supposed to do as a Chinese American kid.” Eddie initially thought it was a curse, but he later realized that his Chinese American identity allowed him to adapt, engage, and explore the world that he lived in and what it meant to be Chinese.
I think food practices can be respected when practitioners and media outlets make an effort to pay homage to the origins of food and attempt to let the food speak for itself. Not like how Trevor Noah jokingly explained it in your video, where a restaurant needs to present the history and oppression of food on the menu. People need to be considerate of their production of knowledge and include the voices and the practices of the original cooks and allow them to engage. The outcome will not be the same, but at least the attempt to accurately represent something is there. I think the blooper on Huang’s Shanghai episode develops my idea with a more humorous tone. In the blooper, someone from the film crew suggests that Eddie and his guest at the table talk about a particular topic. Eddie responds with “word, have an awkward conversation that you forced. No doubt. Let’s do it. Tell me what to say. We’re on the Food Network. ” Genuine expressions and representations are at risk when people tamper with engagements. Don’t be like the Food Network.