The Footprints of Humanity

[katrinasglobalkitchen-blog]

13 Reasons Why Not

As Kofi Annan said, “Globalization is a fact of life, but I believe we have underestimated its fragility”. More often than none, the simple actions and decisions of the individuals that constitute humanity as a whole, are undervalued, underemphasized and have been underestimated in their abilities to affect a magnitude of people on a global scale. Media, whether it in the form of sport, news or even entertainment, allows for the opportunity of these actions to be broadcasted and not only reach, but also affect and influence a vast amount of people. The Netflix original television series 13 Reasons Why, while capturing the hearts of a younger audience, has also been the face of several controversial conversations regarding the ways in which the show chose to depict very sensitive subjects like rape and rape culture in such a public way. In an attempt to help raise awareness to the seriousness and realness of bullying and sexual harassment, the show also provided a new way for many young, impressionable and naïve individuals globally, to view rape and presented a new form of bullying. Recently, six male student’s at Saint Michael’s College school in Toronto have been charged in connection to the sexual harassment of a young comrade on the football team as a means of initiation and hazing. The way in which the young boy at Saint Mike’s College was assaulted is strikingly similar, if not identical, to a hypersensitive and graphic scene in the hit television show. While the producers have positive intentions in promoting the attention paid towards harassment of all forms, they failed to see the ways in which their portrayal of certain subjects, through globalization, can too have negative affects. It is extremely important to remember our duties as global citizens to see the bigger picture and think globally while avoiding recognizing issues or phenomenon in isolation in order to prevent instances like such from happening.

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Globalization - To Be or Not To Be

The use of media outlets, has given the opportunity for many to become more cultured on issues that are broadcasted globally and create perceptions on what it is both the causation, and effects of these problems, as well as our each individual involvement as global citizens. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a statement to the media revealing the urgent, unprecedented changes that need to be made within twelve years to reduce the effects of a climate change catastrophe. The release of this statement raises an interesting conversation as to whether or not globalization is adding to the destruction of our world or benefiting it. Some argue that globalization has led to an increase in both the consumption and production of goods, resulting in a higher level of economic activity and added stress on the environment as a result. For instance, transportation of raw materials leads to greater emissions of industrial pollutants as well as the pressure on international firms driven by cultural convergence and a higher demand for product can cause the initialization of cost-saving production techniques that can be environmentally harmful and unethical. The negative outlook on the way globalization has hurt our environment creates a strong case for right wing anti globalism. In contrast, those who are pro-globalization can prove that globalization and free trade have allowed for the movement of eco friendly technologies and energy efficient production processes as well as the transfer of knowledge created by multinational corporations, to countries with low environmental standards. In addition, the success of environmental public awareness through platforms of international activities such as fair trade and eco labels has resulted in consumer preferences to eco-friendly products. Without international trade, consumers would not have a wide selection, and may settle for goods created with less of a positive environmental impact.  

In my opinion, whether you are pro globalization or not, the effects of climate change have direct effects on our world’s natural resources, and economies, two things that are depended on heavily in all parts of the globe. Those who choose to avoid or ignore making changes fail as global citizens and in their responsibilities to all fellow humans as an entire community, not just those in our immediate surroundings through the ideology of cosmopolitanism.

[katrinasglobalkitchen-blog]

A Taste of the World

When thinking of Globalization, it is easy to pay mind to the issues that take direct affect on vast amounts of people and are broadcasted on a global scale. Colin Kaepernick and his protests against police brutality, Donald Trump and his involvement in Russian politics, are both issues that display conflicting identities, loyalties and the affects of globalization in such a public way. However, sometimes we fail to realize that an event as minuscule as the preparation of the food we make for dinner, too, shows the significance of the interconnectedness and interdependence of people and countries; globalization. Yesterday, I decided to make Mexican quesadillas and quinoa out of a South American inspired cookbook I recently purchased. I am of Italian heritage and have become accustomed to making traditional Italian dishes consistently using the same ingredients. Deciding to cook with influence from a different culture than my own challenged my capacity to work with different ingredients/spices and allowed myself to be more perceptive about the infusion of influence South American culture has on North American mainstream cuisine and into thinking more globally. Food is not only a way that helps to define a culture but also a gateway to a channel of cultural communication that helps people to understand the world. Through diversifying my knowledge of food and different cultural cuisines, I oriented myself to see from the perspective of those a part of other cultures, in turn increasing my awareness of the world and my global citizenship. In addition, the concept of neoliberalism has given me the ability to become in touch with other cultures and the ingredients they use to cook with. Our country and free trade, as well as our importing abilities from several different countries without many restrictions from the government, allows for a wide range of selection at the local supermarket. The purchasing of these ingredients not only affects how and what I eat, but also affects those that produce the food and the economy of the country the food items are produced in. For example, the quinoa I prepared was imported from Peru. Peruvian farmers financially benefit from the rising consumer demand for the grain from Canada and as the local economy strengthens, quinoa farmers then have the purchasing power to buy more products from their surrounding Peruvians, thus showing how my actions and the similar actions of others while cooking do have influence and significant impacts on a global scale. In the words of Anthony Bourdain, food and globalization both unite cultures and enable me to get a taste of the world… literally.

[katrinasglobalkitchen-blog]

Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you who you are.

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1825).

[katrinasglobalkitchen-blog]

Anyone can cook!

Chef Gusteau