Culture contrast
“Culture is the sum of all the forms of art, of love, and of thought, which, in the coarse or centuries, have enabled man to be less enslaved”
“Culture is the sum of all the forms of art, of love, and of thought, which, in the coarse or centuries, have enabled man to be less enslaved”
Andre Maraux
This week, Miss Hui started lecturing on 'culture'.
I finally know that culture are templates for living.In other words, it tells us who ,what groups we belong to and how we live our lives. Moreover, it dictates where to draw the line separating one thing from another; the line is arbitrary until it is learnt and internalised and become reality.
This week, Miss Hui started lecturing on 'culture'.
I finally know that culture are templates for living.In other words, it tells us who ,what groups we belong to and how we live our lives. Moreover, it dictates where to draw the line separating one thing from another; the line is arbitrary until it is learnt and internalised and become reality.
I saw a couple of news headlines that made me realise that in my country which is Malaysia, we possess a cultural barrier .I think each culture wants to be recognized and acknowledged as the right cultural group.For instance, Malaysia would think that the culture they believe in is the best and another country would debate on it.In this post, i am going to list out a few media texts that i read today that shows the contrast between the culture I uphold since young as compared to the Western cultural beliefs and acceptance.
First of all, I read an entertainment article at the new straits times Malaysia about a Malaysian Islamic party's in Malaysia that wants Beyonce's concert banned for good.This is not the first time that Beyonce's party has been questioned severely by Islamic Party's in Malaysia.Well, Beyonce ( a famous r&b artist from the US) in the US would be culturally accepted based on her dressing, however, in Malaysia ; most people are culturally driven to think that the way she dress shows obscenity.
Malaysia's conservative Islamic party called Sunday for a concert by US singer Beyonce to be banned, two years after her debut here was shelved over fears of protests by Muslim groups.
The R&B star is due to perform on October 25 at the Bukit Jalil national stadium just outside the capital, organiser Marctensia said on its website.The Pan-Malaysian Islamic party (PAS) has campaigned against several foreign performers and in 2007, along with other Muslim groups, threatened protests that forced Beyonce to scrap her planned debut concert in Malaysia.
The R&B star is due to perform on October 25 at the Bukit Jalil national stadium just outside the capital, organiser Marctensia said on its website.The Pan-Malaysian Islamic party (PAS) has campaigned against several foreign performers and in 2007, along with other Muslim groups, threatened protests that forced Beyonce to scrap her planned debut concert in Malaysia.
"We oppose the holding of such concerts and we will take action to prevent such a concert from taking place in Malaysia," PAS youth chief Nasrudin Tantawi told AFP, without specifying what action would be taken.
Another example i had gathered and reckoned would be a good fit to show how a major attitudural barrier to intercultural communication is the Malaysia's conservative Islamic party's decision to ban a band called for Danish band Michael Learns to Rock from performing next month, saying it was an insult to Muslims during Ramadan. Everyone knows that Michael Learns to Rock is a ban that is pretty harmless in terms of obscenity and vulgarity, however, in Malaysia they see it as a threat to the culture and religion.
Which western citizen would consider this band to impart bad influence to the people?sources-http://entertainment.malaysia.msn.com/News/article.aspx?cp-documentid=35459
Lastly, the culture contrast in Asia and in western countries differ when u look at the reports over the years over scandalous pictures.For instance, Miss Singapore Universe ,Rachel Kum almost got omitted from her post as the Miss Singapore Universe over scandalous pictures that were taken a couple of years before she was crowned.When I looked at the pictures, it seems that it was just for gag and laughs, however, the culture perception of someone of her post should be pure. I am sure that in Western countries, those picture would not be this severely discussed.
When you think of it, this picture above seems obscene and unpardonable to most of us that uphold the cultural belief and mindset an asian most probably possess,however, compare the news that you hear in the Usa to this case.For instance, people still gain respect for in the Usa,for stars like Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian even though they had cases of scandalous videos and pictures being exposed . Even so that they got popular and socially famous due to those acts.
How about Rachel Kum , do people of our culture still respect her?
This video above taken from the Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfD1uLkEN5E
I personally feel that though our culture plays a huge part in our lives, we should be given a choice too. Like the examples about banning MLTR and Beyonce, I feel that it is a waste of their talents are have been overlooked by the country's cultural beliefs. If everyone were to follow their culture, things will nvr change through generations, are we gna stay in our current state of living for the nxt few decades?
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree to a certain extend on how a country should stick to their culture in issues. However, with that being said, put some restraint on how much they govern a certain country. After all, different families have different cultures even if they all belong to a bigger sub-group of culture.
ReplyDeleteBasically i think it should be stripped down to what parents teach their children from young. How the children were educated and how they respond to different cultural issues. For example, if a child was taught from young to not be wavered by the media and stand through to his/ her beliefs. I am pretty certain that no amount of scantily clad stars would make a difference on him/her because he/she knows what is his stand.
Kudos to your post. I like the details!
Leet Sern, I totally agree with you that culture plays a very important part in how we communicate with others. It affect us on many aspects. Thus, it is very important for us to understand the importance of understanding these intercultural communication.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, we should learn more about it because communication with other people of different culture or co-culture is increasingly common.
Next, is money as our global economy are growing on a very rapid pace.
Other factors are like the convergience of technologies and also the influx of foreign-born immigrants that changes the face of America, a very important country in controlling our economy pulse.
Therefore,we cam communicate better with other people of different culture if we know something about theirs.
I think that where Malaysia is concerned, it might not be the conservative culture that provides the barrier towards these international artistes.
ReplyDeleteLet's think about this rationally. Among themselves, a huge percentage of the majority race in Malaysia is extremely sexually active, whether inside or outside, before or after marriage.
If such "inappropriate" sexual behavior is taking place behind closed doors, what can be said about the "culture" which is apparently being diligently practised in the public eye?
My theory is that the conservative values taken on by the government are nothing more than a sham, fuelled by the need to look good more than to actually keep to the culture.
And if this is the case, then no, culture is not to blame. Rather, we should look at the policies of a government which are based on nothing but the superficial desire to look good.
Besides, why should anyone fear that the conservative values of the older generation are being harmed by the liberal values of these artistes? Wouldn't only the young, who support these values and beliefs, attend the concert in the first place?
totally agree on your interesting comment. to answer your last paragraph. is it not that the older generation are 'worried' that the younger generation get influenced by the values and beliefs of these 'inappropriate' celebs?
ReplyDeletethanks for commenting anyways
I feel that the bann and all are valid and right.
ReplyDeletebecause we should stick to our roots.
our belief and most important the culture
how can the country permit all these when there are valid cases whereby they are influenced by the western culture.
however i think the michael learns to rock bann is stupid because they are harmless.
good post with examples though
Culture varies in many different ways. It might vary according to one's country, religion or even family. People grow up according to his or her culture, so it is an important part of lives.
ReplyDeleteAs you have mentioned about Beyonce's and MLTR concerts which might be banned, culture have to be respected to certain extend but why impose people's talents when they mean no harm in any way?
Therefore, culture is important and it might even influence how one grows up to be.
Yes Jasmine. I agree that culture varies according to one family.really good point!
ReplyDeleteAND YES it really affects the growth of someone if an act that is against their culture is accepted.
so in a way the country doesnt have a choice right?
HEY JEREMY!
ReplyDeleteSam here (you know, Pav's friend haha!) This is a really interesting entry. Cultural differences are very prevalent especially when comparing opposite ends of the scope. In Singapore, I would say that apart from the occasional 'hiccups', not much drama really happens which threatens Singaporeans' wide and diverse view on culture (seeing as how we are multi-racial and there are many foreigners staying here too).
As someone who is not familiar about the media scene in Malaysia, your comparison with a very obvious country like America provides a pretty good insight on how culture plays such a huge role in their media (and in turn, their lives).
Nice one :)
Its dumb that Malaysia doesnt give others the right to choose and to know what is right and wrong for themselves.
ReplyDeletethey treat the malaysians like kids.
pity them.
it is always east versus the west, open versus conservative. As asians, we're definitely leaning more towards being conservative in general. the question is, "how conservative?"
ReplyDeleteapart from vast cultural differences, i believe religion plays a significant part in the ban of Beyonce staging her concert in Malaysia. Regardless of whether it is culture or religion, the value here in which the PAS is trying to uphold is modesty-a value of the islamic nation. A country which expects its women to be in the head gear and dress very modestly in today's modern context can hardly contradict itself by allowing beyonce to stage a concert there.
yet i would also like to point to the fact that malaysia also has youths who are not followers of the islamic faith, and are generally more liberal in their thinking and behaviour. such drastic measures only stiffles many who would like an opportunity to see her live on stage. i think the choice should be given to the people themselves. as the people in the nation are becoming more affluent, controlling them is no longer as effective as educating them. culture is afterall learned, not forced.
hey brather, very good post. I like the way you brought out the examples in the society today.
ReplyDeletewell yeah i really think that our culture sets really conservative lines.its good right?
Hey Nat, thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeletewell yeah i suppose that it is good because
people like you wont get so wild.
no im kidding. I think that it is good because
culture and tradition in alot of countries are taken lightly.
so its good that like my country uphold all these .:)
If countries as conservative want to keep their country conservative and block out the injection of western culture in their countries. They should just be kept in a box, and cut all their media ties with the outside world.
ReplyDeleteIt is not the stars who come for concerts from the western culture who make these youth change after all. Even if these people did not go for the concerts and such, MTV are already showing their videos. And i highly think that thats where more influence comes.
So. Malaysia. Should we all stop watching tv?
I would think it is just the mere factor of a country wanting their own culture to be the most powerful in a country.
ReplyDeleteMalaysia probably does not want these stars over because they do not want too much of the Western culture injecting their culture into the Malaysian's conservative one.