Globalization

      Most kids in our society are grown up and taught to be the best that they can be. Taught that anything they dream they can do and that they must find their place in this world. Not only do they need to find out where they fit in but we as humans also have the social need to have an impact or affect the world we live. This mindset we install in the young minds of our youth is very broad and leaves us very little guidance. Our only hope is to observe the world around us, soak in all cultures and societies to better understand what it means to be a global citizen.

                Music is a great way to observe and compare to how it’s practices influence the society it comes from. In a country based from a small government and communal living for survival the musical practices are going to be more participatory and used for more than just entertainment. We have to look beyond our outlook on music as just entertainment to realize that music is also used for bonding, connecting to ancestors for guidance, and simply getting through rough days. These societies that exemplify this particular type of practicing music have their values anchored on relationships and rich legacy. In a country that is based from a capitalistic economy and a large government the majority of musical practices are about selling an item and creating demand. A nation like this values corporations above individuals. This second example is a very common way that most countries approach the importance of music. In a country that sees the importance of music for bonding can also see the importance and integration of cultural formations. The result is that these values expressed and modes of practicing music are consistent with the broader patterns of social life; people do not feel contradictions between these activities and the values that guide the rest of their lives. Whilst on the other hand a country that sees music as only a potential financial gain may only get a glimpse at this through cultural cohorts. This is when a social group forms around an activity that displays a temporary feeling of that “place to be”. It’s only through this cultural cohort that most citizens living in a capitalistic society can find an alternative to their modern lifestyle. Music can also affect a society based on their characteristics on nature and nurture. For example in American it has been taught as common knowledge that musical talent is something that your born with and if your weren’t up to par with other artist your age you were told “maybe music isn’t for you”. Talent in our society is all relative, based on the truth that people are always going to compare you to other artist no matter where you are at in your life. One the other hand, for a country like Zimbabwe music is taught as a necessary part of life from the start and more importantly it’s taught that everyone contributes equally to the song. It’s important for us to learn and observe these countries and communities that display these characteristics because the more we learn the more we are able to humanize people. Think of our understanding of the world is like a tool box and when we broaden our outlook on other societies we also add tools to our tool box. With these new acquired tools we are then able to solve the problems we as a country and the world face today.

                To understand ones place in the world they have to open up and take note of cultural differences. These differences are opportunities for learning and its very important for a country like ours that’s has a gigantic impact on the world to realize that we have a lot to learn about our neighbors. The consequences of a country that neglects to open its perception of the world can be caught up in the problems like job shortage, massive amounts of debt, and war because they fail to utilize all the “tools” that are available.  The role we play in a community like Bloomington regarding global citizenship is that everything we do and participate in effects the far reaches of the world. Small towns set the mindset for a country and eventually the world.

                After looking back on this week of IFS, I have just recently come to the realization that this class and this program is not about Indiana University or getting credits for a major.  It’s about getting us involved in the great town that is Bloomington. Through this program we’ve been able to be immersed in this culture that disagrees with “high fidelity” interactions and focuses on the participation in which everyone contributes. IFS acts like an initiation for new students to observe and pick up this mindset so that this beautiful town stays the way it is as it models to the rest of the country of what can be accomplished when everyone comes together and contributes.