To What Extent Should Globalization Shape Identity? Global Challenges To What Extent Should Globalization Shape Identity?

Global Challenges Lesson Objectives: By end of lesson, understand important concepts: 1. Homogenization 2. Monoculture 3. Marginalization 4. Assimilation Identify evidence of marginalization in media and entertainment Identify varying strategies used in conveying messages within political cartoons

Challenges to Identity Homogenization A trend towards uniformity, as with world popular culture resulting from globalization The reduction of differences in values, beliefs, attitudes, customs and traditions due to globalization

Challenges to Identity Assimilation The Absorption of a minority group by a dominant culture. Global migration has transformed the world’s population Immigrants and Indigenous people as well are being assimilated to dominant Western Cultures

Marginalization the pushing of a group to the “margins” of society, where they hold little social, political, economic power treating a group, concept or person as insignificant

Stereotype a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing

Historical Marginalization Advertising

Nasty stereotypes have helped move the merchandise for more than a century, and the history of their use and abuse offers a weird and telling glimpse of race relations in this country. Not surprisingly, the earliest instances were the most egregious. This circa-1900 ad for a rodent-control product called Rough on Rats doesn't just exploit the then-popular urban legend that Chinese people eat rats. It also underscores the intensity of American xenophobia of the day. There were anti-Chinese riots at the time, as well as legislation like the Chinese Exclusion Act, a federal ban on immigration passed in 1882. (It was on the books until 1943.) In the ad, "They must go" refers both to the rodents and the Chinese

What are criteria for marginalization? What should we look for? Let’s Discuss

Some Criteria You may have Chosen Is the symbolism a negative interpretation? Is the symbolism a cultural minority? Is the symbolism a stereotype? Is the symbolism globally recognizable?

Is there still evidence of marginalization today? Can you think of some examples?

Are any of these sports logos marginalizing? When does a stereotype become offensive?

Marginalization via Mascot?

Professional and College Logos of Sports Teams Professional and College

Mississippi State Rebels

Golden State Warriors

Boston Celtics

Bradley Braves

Appalachian State Mountaineers

Acadia Axemen

Arkansas State Indians

Utah Utes

Kansas City Chiefs

Washington Redskins

Chicago Blackhawks

Florida Seminoles

Atlanta Braves (old)

Atlanta Braves (new)

Cleveland Indians

Edmonton Eskimos

University of Northern Colorado (intramural team) http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=684 Started as a comment against racist team mascots. Raised money through the sale of merchandise to fund a scholarship at the school for native students. University of Northern Colorado (intramural team)

A First Nations Response

Cartoon Activity View the accompanying cartoon, and determine if any of the following techniques are being employed Satire – use of humor to expose human folly Sarcasm – the use of mockery or bitterness to create irony Caricature - exaggeration of a persons’ physical features to make a point about beliefs, actions, etc. Contrasting Sizes - significant difference is size of characters, objects or symbols = used to make a point Symbols - physical objects, people, etc. that represent abstract ideas Intended Exaggeration - purposely exaggerating characters or elements in cartoon to make a point Hidden Element - symbol, character, or element in cartoon that is not clearly visible = adds to message or central idea Captions & Text - titles, dialogue, etc.

Use the sheet provided to comment on the cartoon.

Cartooning Techniques Captions & Text - characters have writing on their shirts; caption/dialogue bubble Caricature – Features of the sports fan are exaggerated Hidden Element – writing on sleeve of one character and on head band of other is quite small Symbolism - sports pennant has logo of team; feathers = First Nations Sarcasm – cartoon mocks sports fans; attire of sports fan does opposite of what he says = irony Central Idea: Sports logos denigrate, cast negative light on, minority groups Message: Sports logos that denigrate minority groups are demeaning, and further marginalize such groups