Immigration and Diaspora
With this compilation of essays from various authors on the
subject of ‘borders,’ John Brady and Robert Soza of Bad
Subjects present a multifaceted take on the power of
globalization both to connect and separate people. Within the
expanse of these issues is a slow-to-change fear of ‘others’
despite the exposure of nations to each others’ media, exports, and
immigrants.
While globalization has increased the knowledge of other cultures,
it hasn’t completely succeeded in instilling acceptance of them.
‘There is an interesting lag in the rush toward a borderless
world,’ say Brady and Soza. ‘The message seems to be, ‘We love your
cheap labor, but we don’t love you. Your bodies, especially the
darker ones, need to stay where they are and keep on greasing the
wheels of the new and improved borderless world.”
The writers detail such cultural difficulties as Australia’s
‘national attitude toward immigration,’ America’s wild consumption
of Japanese ‘kitsch,’ the meaning of the term ‘Gringo’ in Brazil,
and the use of stereotypes in American sitcoms.
The experiences of the authors in their travels and life in their
respective cultures highlight the obstacles that we have yet to
overcome in the effort to make globalization a more positive
experience.
‘Everyday on the news we hear argument after argument for or
against the free-flow of capital, commodities, and ideas across the
globe. The last several administrations in the U.S. have strongly
favored free trade,’ the editors write in the introduction. ‘The
one ‘item’ seemingly left behind in this world of unfettered
movement is the human body.’
–Julie Madsen
Go there>>
