Today in class we
went over and discussed the four readings that we were assigned. One reading in
particular “Globalisation” by Anthony Giddens, delved into the legitimacy of
globalisation. He wrote that radicals view globalisation as something that is in
fact legitimate and has taken a toll on developing countries. Skeptics,
however, argue that globalisation is all talk and that the government of
each individual country still has all the actual control over their economy.
Giddens later went on to argue that power is actually shifting towards the
Global South, as opposed to the power having always been in the hands of the
Global North. He described this as “reverse colonialism.” Which is something
the class described ever so eloquently as “just stupid.” The reason being that
the Global South is as we speak the weaker of the two in terms of power,
economy, and outreach opportunities.
Shifting gears a
little bit, when I first read the term “reverse colonialism” I immediately had
a flashback to the extremely conservative, narrow-minded, uncultured area of
Maryland in which I call home. While the area I live in does have some
wonderful qualities and while I completely understand how blessed I am to have
grown up in such a scenically beautiful and safe space, it took a lot to power
through constantly being around people who possessed all the not so great
character traits stated previously. What made me have the startling flashback
is that where I am from, people believe in a term called “reverse racism.”
Racism, as we all know, is defined as prejudice,
discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race
based on the belief that one's own race is superior. So, basically, there are
people where I am from that are so racist, to them the ability of being racist
can only be held by them and if that same ability were to be held by a person
or group of another race, it would have to be deemed as “reverse.” When people
would say this I would sit there in awe. How could they possibly not hear
themselves? This was coming from grown men and women talking about encounters
they had with non-white people and the situations they described were simply
not even racist. Normal encounters that if anything, was negatively provoked by
them.
So in
class today when I saw the reaction from all the students when the term
“reverse colonialism” was brought up, I of course first reacted the same. But
then I could not help but smile. All the years I had to go through dealing with
some of the most close minded, ignorant individuals, I thought my beliefs and
values were so uncommon and far-fetched to even speak on. When in reality I was
just young and naive and did not realize that most of my beliefs and values are
actually just considered common sense and humane.
Thank you for sharing that personal story about your hometown! I think it’s really important to share individual stories like that, so we can understand perspectives from different areas of the country and world.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of “reverse colonialism,” I think of ignorance in superiority. The simple fact that the Global North has more economic stability, technological advancements, and overall opportunities debunks the idea of “reverse colonialism.” Those who believe in this term are blind to the strength the Global North has over the Global South. As you said, “narrow-minded” and “uncultured” completely describe reverse colonialism.
Your story, in terms of racism, definitely fits into this concept. To consider oneself superior and have the ignorance to believe that others are inferior because of the color of their skin or where they were born is ignorant. Good for you to recognize such ignorance at a young age, surrounded by hatred and feelings of superiority.
In class, we discussed how some things we hear in our classes are “just stupid,” and we wish we could admit it. To me, it’s okay to admit it, and show your disagreement in something and challenge concepts. Again, it’s awesome that growing up you were able to see through the racism and open your mind to a greater understanding.
-Jess Huber
It was nice that you were able to relate a personal experience from your hometown to the topics we discussed in class. Especially since you were able to bring up the topic of reverse racism. This subject helped the argument that colonialism is not reversible, or at-least not in the way the author tries to make it seem. What the author is arguing as "reverse colonialism" in the reading is not what he is describing at all. In fact, it is a narrow-minded description of what is actually the cultural influence of the Global South spreading to the Global North. Additionally, the word colonialism has negative connotations associated with it because it is essentially a country abusing their power over another country for economic gain. If colonialism were truly reversed the Global South would be reclaiming their origin country and taking back their culture from those who colonized them in the first place. The Global North still has economic power and is able to choose what aspects of culture from the Global South they want to adopt. Since this is the case, the author’s argument for “reverse colonialism” is irrelevant. I’m glad we came to this conclusion as a class as well.
ReplyDelete-Tiana
When I read Giddens' view of "reverse colonialism", Immediately was dumbfounded at the lack of concern about the negative economic and cultural affects on the Global South by the Global North in terms of globalisation and colonialism. The global North has imposed set gender norms on several countries and has ruined economies due to those countries having to devalue their currency as stated in the "Globalisation and its Specter" article and the article " We had Equality till the British came" by Ransome-Kuti. Under the British rule, women were left in poverty and had no access to proper education. To just dismiss the detrimental affects of the global North has had on the economic and cultural wellbeing of the global South and then saying that we are the ones being attacked is assuming that all countries have equal footing in power and wealth. This is absolutely not the case and the Globalisation most definitely benefits the global North over the South in ways of economic gain and cultural appropriation which is becoming more apparent today unfortunately. We discussed in class how the global North gets to practice cultural aspects in the way they want and how the global south does not have much of a choice in which norms are accepted into their society.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteIt is very interesting to hear your experience in your home town with racism. I have the same thoughts when I hear people using the therm "reverse racism". The logic of the statement doesn't process in my brain. The idea that criticizing the way one race is treated by another as threatening is difficult to wrap my head around and not so easy to describe through text. From my understanding reverse colonialism, as you stated with your comparison, is the idea that the diverse range of people who have been historically affected by colonization, force, and oppression, people of color, are doing the same. Something like stealing the land back. To any normal thinking person the phrase "stealing their land back" this implies the land was stolen in the first place. That doesn't raise a red flag at all? Historically white people have pushed people of color out of their spaces. And reverse colonialism suggests they are trying to reclaim their space and exploit the land just as their beloved ancestors. I agree with your argument that thinking like this is ignorant. Both ideas are backwards and quite frankely "just stupid".
ReplyDeleteLogan,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. The town you described above sounds very similar to the area in which I grew up. It is extremely difficult to constantly be surrounded by individuals that are ignorant when I am home, but it is so important to talk to them about why the way they are thinking is ignorant and hateful. I can agree when I read the phrase "reverse colonialism" in class I was shocked that people think there is such a thing. I would argue that Anthony Giddens actually just doesnt fully understand what colonialism is. It is sad to think that he wrote an entire piece having the ignorant belief that colonialism is being spread onto the global north by the global south.