When I think of globalization it usually pertains to economic ties between nations and cities. In a world so driven by economic resources it can be hard to peel back that wall and see globalization for its other characteristics, like culture. The typical signs of globalization are big businesses that have crossed international lines and have a presence around the world. Seeing those names in different places shows the effects of globalization.
My hometown is Schwenksville, which is a little borough in Montgomery County Pennsylvania. We don't have any big chain restaurants or stores within the borough limits. The borough is made up of neighborhoods and some small businesses. There is a past office and a library, as well as an elementary school. If you drove through the town it is highly unlikely that you'd be able to find any distinct sign of globalization.
The closest thing that I can think of that would symbolize globalization is that the borough is just next to the site of the Philadelphia Folk Festival in Upper Salford Township. The festival takes place in the summer and is visited by thousands of people each year, which makes Schwenksville very busy as people pass through. I used to work in the local supermarket, and I remember the week of the festival we would have all sorts of people coming through and driving our numbers up. The folk festival celebrates music from a lot of American styles, as well as international styles such as Celtic and Klezmer, which comes from the Ashkenazi Jews. The fusion of cultures and musical techniques from all around the world is a prime example of globalization because it displays how said cultures are interconnected.
No comments:
Post a Comment