The New Imperialists

 If you look up the definition of imperialism online, it will probably talk about one nation ruling over and controlling its colonies.  And while the days of imperialism in that sense are mostly over, there has been a new one emerging in its place: Cultural Imperialism.

Look up a definition for that and it will talk about one nation extending an abnormally large amount of influence on a host nation’s culture.  The host nations (usually less economically developed) adapt their customs and traditions to suit the wants and needs of the influencing nations (usually more economically developed).  Think of how the Caribbean countries have developed themselves to suit the needs of American vacationers.

As a visitor to India this semester, I often feel like a cultural imperialist (although I don’t like it!).  I am served fresh sugarcane from a person who just spent longs hours in the field for low wages harvesting it.  People flock to take pictures with me because I’m a Westerner.  Advertisements here feature almost exclusively white people.  These observations aren’t meant to disparage India and its culture.  On the contrary everyone here has been overwhelmingly hospitable.  Indians are some of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.  Nevertheless, these many instances of cultural imperialism create (for me anyway) feelings of guilt.

While these feelings are more or less inevitable, it’s how you respond to them that is important.  A sense of cultural superiority can grow from these interactions, and that’s when you hear people say things like, “Ugh, I can’t believe they live like that,” or, “Why would they do that? That’s so gross!”  You start treating the time in the host culture much like a visit to the zoo; something funny and interesting to look at, but thank heavens you don’t live like that.

The way to approach this cultural imperialism instead is to look past the monetary differences between you and the host nation.  Focus instead and get involved in the many culturally rich things the host culture offers: festivals, dances, food, friendship, etc… In my experience these are often much more impressive and fulfilling than their U.S. counterparts.

And it’s not always easy to embrace every aspect of the host culture, but that’s exactly the point.  The host culture is made to make the host population comfortable, not you the visitor.  Through living like a local you start to understand the host culture instead of simply reconfirming your preconceptions, which should be the goal of travel.

And so the next time you take that trip down to Cancun or the Bahamas, get outside the resort property.  Live like a local.  Have conversations with them and ask earnest questions.  The way we fight cultural imperialism is through embracing everything that the host culture offers, not just the catered version you see posted on the hotel’s list of “cultural events”.