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The Global Community: Take Action Pack

Published on November 14, 2008

Twelve Months, Twelve Films, Twelve Issues.

Here at MediaRights.org and the Media That Matters Film Festival, we decided to crew up and give you a fresh, focused, all-in-one package of brand new short films, background information, resources, tips and activities on each of the topics covered in the eighth annual Media That Matters Film Festival.

The mission of the festival is to take the concept of "audience" a step further and use short-form, big issue media as a tool to educate and inspire activism.

This month's Take Action Pack will focus on the upcoming wrap of a common calendar year, and the reflections of self and community, both locally and globally, that brings. Check out A Nomad's Life a film focusing on the lives of a nomadic family in Northern Tibet and African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal, a study in how culture, politics and music can intertwine, then read on to find out more ways to take action in your community.

The Issue

As the year draws to a close, it is a common practice to reflect on all that has happened within the past twelve months, asking ourselves what has changed in our lives, and what has stayed the same. As 2008 draws to a close, these questions of transformation are perhaps more salient than ever. The world is changing at a breakneck speed and the ramifications of this change are being felt all across the globe, albeit in dramatically different ways.

Image by exposedplanet

In the increasingly globalized society of the 21st century, issues of cultural identity have come to the forefront of international consciousness. On the one hand, globalization has provided people with access to myriad artistic, technological, and economic resources that may have otherwise been unimaginable for them. On the other hand, these same imports have threatened and displaced cultural values and ways of living that have been in place for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

The holidays are a time during which we, in the United States, are encouraged to think about the many things that unite us a human community. It is also, however, perhaps the perfect time to think about the vast diversity that helps to make our global community so strong. From nations to villages, every local community has its own unique traditions and ways of celebrating during the holidays. There is perhaps no better time in the year to celebrate the many distinct cultures throughout the world that serve not to divide us, but rather to make us stronger.

The Film

This month, we have chosen to highlight two films that address the issue of globalization and cultural identity from very different vantage points. In African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal, Senegalese Hip-Hop artists discuss influences on their music by American, French and other European groups and show us how they have translated the art form and made it their own. Differing vastly in content from much American rap music, hip hop in Senegal often has a deeply spiritual element, focusing on the practices and teachings of Islam . Through interviews and musical performance, these African Hip-Hop artists discuss the ways in which cultural globalization has allowed them access to an art form originating in the West, while simultaneously stressing the ways in which their own music stands apart from its American roots.

A decidedly separate take on global culture can be seen in A Nomad's Life, which follows young couple Locho and Yama, who live with their infant daughter in the Kham mountain region of Tibet. Locho and Yama continue to embrace a style of nomadic living that has changed little since the first Tibetans domesticated the yak over 8,000 years ago. The encroachment of 21st century life is evident, however, with signs of change everywhere, from the thinning grasslands where they graze their animals, to the rapidly growing county seat where they sell their yak hair and buy supplies. As parents they are caught between a deep attachment to the life they know and love and a desire for a better life for their daughter.

These two films reflect on the vast differences-as well as striking similarities-between communities across the globe, while raising important questions about the stakes of both preserving and importing culture.

For more films about globalization and cultural change, go to MediaRights.org and check out The Global Banquet: Politics of Food, Maquila: A Film of Two Mexicos, Conakry Kas, The Price of Aid and Global Village or Global Pillage?

The Action!

Educators

Hip Hop is currently one of the most popular arts forms in the world, and thus a perfect tool for teaching critical thinking and media literacy skills to young people. "Flipping the Script: Critical Thinking in a Hip Hop World" is designed to help you do just that. Find out how to bring the exciting and engaging theme of Hip Hop culture and music into your classroom at www.justthink.org.

Daara J
Image by audibletreats

Follow the development of Hip Hop on the African continent by clicking through each of the countries on this interactive map. Learn how these artists are redefining this genre through their culture at www.africanhiphop.com.
Start a discussion with your students about the many aspects, both positive and negative, of globalization. Talk about the nuances of the issue, e.g. what is the difference between corporate and other forms of globalization? Check out the basics on how to teach about globalization and download class resources at globalization101.org.
Discuss the difference between the effects of globalization in "developed", industrialized countries such as the United States and "developing", relatively unindustrialized countries such as Tibet. Put a human face to the issue through websites such as The Tibetan Photo Project.

For Families

What foods does your family like to eat at holiday times--or any other time, for that matter? Families around the world have their own favorites, and you can see them in the extraordinary book Hungry Planet. Look at the photos and compare the food expenditure at your household with families from other countries. Catch a sneak preview of the book in Time.
The holidays are the perfect time to think about the ways your family can help to end world hunger. Find out what you can do at websites like Friends of WFP and learn about projects such as Heifer International which offers activities as well as classroom resources.

For Youth Leaders

Love the music that you heard in Hip Hop in Senegal? Search the database of Afromix to follow other artists in Senegal and the root of music throughout the African Diaspora. Go to www.afromix.org.

Word of God
Image by NYGUS

Visit Muslim Hip Hop to explore this creative outlet for Muslim artists to express themselves in a halal (permissible) way. Learn about the ways in which music is being used to spread the message of Islam at www.muslimhiphop.com.
If you are interested in the consequences of a globalized economy on nomad life, look up the Kham Aid Foundation, which provides health education, disaster relief and environmental programming for the people of Tibet. The organization's mission is to help honor and preserve local culture while providing support for the current economic transformations.

And remember -- you can host a screening of the Media That Matters films by visiting our site for more information.

In Conclusion

We hope that these resources will supplement your use of film in the classroom and community. Beyond Media That Matters, we invite you to search around MediaRights to find others films, organizations and to read about other important issues relating to globalization and cultural identity.

Good luck, and let us know what you are doing to encourage awareness or change on these issues! Publish an announcement on MediaRights to encourage others to join you, or send us an email with any feedback!

Happy Holidays!

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