Introduction to Globalized Representations

Introduction

     Marshall McLuhan suggested that globalization and media have brought our divided world closer together; creating a global village. In McLuhan's own words there is now a "universal understanding and unity." We now have the privilege, as a global community, to become knowledgeable about other cultures and people. However, there are communities that do not take full advantage of these privileges, and only focus on one aspect of a culture. For example, the idea that Irish people are all alcoholics. Of course this is not true, and there are so many other brilliant aspects to Ireland including a rich history in the arts, but years of stereotyping and ignorance have led to this belief. In this blog we attempt to discuss the globalized representations of five different countries including; Brazil, China, England, North Korea and Russia. We chose these countries because of their large influence on the globe as a whole. These five countries are continuously in the media in how they affect politics, economics and culture. In relation we aim to discuss the relationship each of these nations have with the United States; how they see us and how we see them. This is not an attempt to create an us vs. them situation, but to create a better understanding of stereotypes throughout them.  

How England Sees the United States

How England Sees the U.S.

What The British Really Think Of Americans

 

          They think we are stupid, arrogant, and fat. Now some of theses things are true, America is the best and we know it. Why should not we flaunt it to the world? Most of the rest of the world have similar opinions. We as a country need to change that. As Orgad said in an article research is key to knowing ones self identity. Sure we may be the best, and statistically have the fattest people. Who cares? We need to get the rest of the world to know we are also very smart and are not afraid to show it, but we also need to be nicer and help out our allies.
          The U.S. in it's media representations have been questionable lately, with our politics becoming a near comical event. In the video the English Citizens laugh at Americans and our "Funny Accents." The U.S. needs to show the world we can be better than what everyone thinks. We can do whatever we want. We are America.

         

How the United States Sees England

How the U.S. Sees England

HOW AMERICANS SEE ENGLAND

       This video was made to show some of the opinions American citizens have on people from England. I filmed and edited the video with the help of my roommates. They all have various opinions on the world and I was curious to see what those opinions are. I gave my roommates 2 weeks to watch as many movies and TV shows they could find with people from England in it. Some of the bigger hits in the house was "Game of Thrones" and "The Office (U.K.)" I also enjoyed both shows. 

       As one of my roommates states, "They are similar to us"culturally they are not much different from the United States. Sure they also find them to be poorly represented in media but they say it is alright because it is funny. I do not entirely agree with them. Some of the best movies and shows I have ever seen have come from our brothers across the pond.

How North Korea Sees the United States

How North Korea Sees the U.S.

     It seems that when it comes to America, North Korea has state propaganda directed towards them but isn't so malicious compared to what the DPRK actually wants them to think. While the North Korean state is a dictatorship, the totalitarianism is very nuanced and controls the populace so that they don't exactly recognize the lack of freedoms prohibited in the country. This kind of picture is indicative of how regular citizens are propagandized so that the American globalism isn't implanted in their brains subconsciously, unlike in most countries that now have American media influencing every facet of life. It is a contrary statement of "McWorld vs Jihad," as it is neither capitalized (except regarding psychological capital) nor radicalized to violence.

How the United States Sees North Korea

How the U.S. Sees North Korea

     The above is from PBS producer Hannah Yi's trip to North Korea. She experienced the same thing that many Americans face when they are tourists in the DPRK: a largely regimented tour schedule dedicated to convincing them how stable and perfect North Korea is. What Yi found, and that most Americans in general find, is that although the state is highly propagandized, the citizenry is normal and loves to interact with tourists. It's a stark contrast to the depressing country we are shown in most media productions. What Yi remarked most candidly, was that she was drawn to the mundane, normal moments that allow North Koreans to reveal their humanity. Throughout all of the agitprop done by the government, it's still a place with ordinary people, and it's important to not pander to easy stereotypes and xenophobia.

How Russia Sees the United States

How Russia Sees The U.S.

Why Russians Hate America. Again.

     Utilizing globalized identities we can better understand the way Russians view Americans. This article, by Sabrina Tavernise (2015), describes the reasons behind a resentment Russia has for the United States. It is stated that it "seems to have more to do with Russians themselves than with any American action, a kind of defensive, free-floating expression of current anxieties". The ideals that U.S. citizens hold, such as freedom and democracy are seen to be forced in the faces of Russians, and other nations, and it has created a hostility between the two nations. 

     Russia wants to be seen as a great nation that has made great bounds politically and economically in the last decade, and I think they want some recognition for this. They do not want to continue being seen as an icy waste land that has no direction or future.

     According to the Levada Analytical Center in Moscow, the opinion of America is the lowest it has been since the collapse of the Soviet Union twenty-four years ago (Tavernise 2015). Using the interactive created by Chris Wilson (2014) from TIME, one can see the shift in negative feelings toward the United States throughout the more recent years. Between the years 2013 to 2014 Russians approval rating of America dropped a staggering twenty-eight points (Wilson 2014). Hopefully this rating will increase with more diplomatic relationships with the years to come. 

An image of the TIME Interactive discussed above. (Wilson 2014).

CreditMaxim Zmeyev/Reuters

How the United States Sees Russia

How the U.S. Sees Russia

U.S.-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

          The cold war is over and yet Russia keeps pushing the buttons of America. In this article that comes to us from CNN, it talks about how the U.S. thinks that Russia has been hacking our election systems to influence the outcome of the election. This is not even the biggest reason behind the U.S. currently being upset with Russia. Recently Russia left a nuclear security pact in the middle and said it was due to our aggression. Then after this they moved Nuclear missiles to the edge of NATO Territory.  
           Russia has been pushing America's limits ever since they invaded the Ukraine a few short years ago. With the world getting more and more nuclear arms each and every day, we need to crack down on the super powers like Russia who just want to do whatever they want and think they can get away with it. The U.S. has never really liked Russia, but we know that you keep your friends closer and your enemies with nuclear weapons a lot closer.