GLOBALIZATION AND US

Western norms and practices are gradually being transported across the globe as the acceptable way of behaviour. If the central idea of globalization is interaction and integration, then globalization as a concept is not new to Africa and the world in general. Africa's interaction with the rest of the world dates back to the 15th century during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, European colonialism, and post colonialism/independence to this present age, which all happened without regard to ethnic, cultural, linguistic and other considerations. On a balance of probability, there is the temptation to conclude that the consequences of globalization on Africa have rather been negative (Yeboah Kwame, 2011).

Good day, welcome once again to another edition of the “Enlightenment Series”. Big thanks to those who commented on the last edition: Jaypee, Okor John, etc. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but please do not misunderstand us; we only seek to find the “way forward”! This is a broad topic and you may wish to expand it.

Definition of Globalization:  It is an international socio-politico-economic and cultural permeation process facilitated by policies of governments, private corporations, international agencies and civil society organizations, essentially seeking to enhance and deploy economic, political, technological, ideological and military power and influence for competitive domination in the world. (Yeboah Kwame, 2011).

Africa is made up of over fifty nations with an estimated 1000 different languages spoken and as many distinct ethnic groups. Africa is endowed with immense natural and human resources, as well as great cultural, ecological and economic diversity. Africa is the world's RICHEST continent, in terms of natural resources. Yet, in spite of these impressive facts on Africa, most non-Africans have referred to it as the "Dark Continent", which in the past was a reflection of their ignorance of Africa's immense potential. And they continue to inflict psychological injury on us by reporting motley cases of endemic government corruption, chronic human rights abuse, hunger, poverty, civil wars, HIV-AIDS, on their daily news headlines!

Now, in view of globalization which, in as much as we know, has brought grave negative effects on our culture and tradition, it is worthwhile if we also acknowledge its positive effects on us. Globalization opens people's lives to other cultures, and information and communication technologies have eased interaction among countries and peoples. Most inhuman cultural practices (e.g.: female genital mutilation), myths and taboos have been totally relinquished, majorly because most of them have outlived their usefulness due to urbanization and the trend of modern development. I also think that other such under-developing tendencies should likewise be thrown overboard; the times have truly changed!

Nevertheless, it is disheartening to note the rate at which we willingly jettison our traditional values, norms and customs, to accept the Western way of life and “articles of imperialism” –technology, language, dressing, etc, hook, line and sinker. In Nigeria today, where "vernacular" is forbidden in "formal" settings; where citizens flaunt their foreign possessions (phones, laptops, clothes, vehicles, etc) with gross arrogance and impudence; where parents cocoon their children from the "evils" of the villages –thereby alienating them from their roots-, and so on and so forth, the effects of globalization seem to be too dire.

Recall that the Europeans brought Christianity to us (one of the positive effects of colonialism); but now how ironical that we are the ones now "sending it back” to the Western world –excessive materialism, immorality, indecency, atheism (induced probably by scientific, technological and economic advancement), etc, are now on the rampage over there.

In conclusion, it is high time we Africans stopped being at the receiving end of almost everything on the globe. It is now our time to GIVE. This is because national pride is essential in nation building. The salient questions then would be “Do we actually have a national pride?” “What do we have to offer?” What can we say about those “local” manufacturers whom we don’t patronize and still advocate for “Pan-Nigerianism”? (Every one of us is guilty of this, including me) “Because they are sub-standard!” one would retort. And what makes them “sub-standard”? Because they have set the standard for us! (Even though some of those guys are after “quick cash” anyway) I remember my GSP207 seminar lecturer who says that no culture is better than the other; that development is relative. Nevertheless, I will not rule out the fact that some Africans have a problem –the brain drain. We are more after the “stomach” (i.e. comfort, pleasure) than the brain, and this has made us what we are presently. If we agree then that the African problem is the brain drain then the effective solution would be to make good use of those brains; kudos to all those Africans who are doing us proud all over the globe. Therefore, brethren, THINK and ACT and let us show the world that truly there is TREASURE without measure right here in Africa! God bless us all.

(Next week, we shall be discussing “The Animal Called Man”. Watch out! <www.skola93.blogspot.com>)

 Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.