When I studied post-colonial theory, I was introduced to various intriguing post-colonial concepts. One such concept is place and displacement, which concerns the relationship between self and place. It actually explains our sense of belonging or alienation due to a transportation of self to a place that is foreign to the self. I was also introduced to the concept of othering, whereby the 'empowered' community, due to the sense of 'superiority' afforded to them by the 'society' based on their social status, wealth, power, class, etc. has the 'leverage' to subjugate the 'others' (i.e. mind and souls), whom they see as 'different' from them, based on the criteria mentioned earlier.
There are also other mind-stimulating concepts, such as double-consciousness, mimicry and hibridity which allow me the opportunity to further sharpen my critical evaluation and judgment regarding social issues, in general. In fact, these concepts, though originated from the discipline of post-colonial literature, are to say the least, as relevant and applicable to the current context of 'globalization' as when they were situated in their post-colonial setting.
I still remember one of the assignment given to us by our lecturer , which was to discuss on Wong Phui Nam's engagement with the theme of 'wilderness'. In his epilogue in Against the Wilderness, Wong Phui Nam writes, "Where we find ourselves to-day is a wilderness". It was set against the backdrop of post-colonialism. So, to me, his preoccupation with the theme of 'wilderness' was due to the condition which he sees as obscuring one's perception of one's existence that results in blind participation 'in serving the imperatives of commodity market of the empowered'.
Well, I could not agree more. I do find myself today, to be in a state of wilderness. If I were to take this perspective and situate it within our current global context, how do I define my 'identity' as a citizen within a global setting? Let me ask you one question, which may perhaps enlighten me on the set of criteria for defining my true identity: Are we the 'producers' or the 'consumers' of global products? Have we yet, actually established our identity as global citizens? Or are we, in actual fact, being trapped in a state of double-consciousness; i.e. so very aware of our 'local' identity, yet longing to be highly recognized as a 'global' citizen? Ooopppss...multi-level questions.
I have still another question : In the process of embracing the 'global' culture, do we disengage ourselves from our 'predetermined' identity, which actually is our vital link to our 'roots', which relates us to our 'forefathers' traditions and customs; i.e. beliefs, values, cultures, etc. If we strongly believe in the need for our children to become 'global' players, how then, do we determine how much of the 'foreign' culture that we want our younger generation to 'assimilate' and 'emulate' as their culture in their attempt to build a 'global' identity( i.e. a process of mimicry), lest, they will sacrifice their own culture, beliefs, values, etc. that actually connect them to their origin. In fact, the process of mimicry among our generation gives a clear indication of our own sense of 'inferiority' of not being recognized as 'global' citizens.
It is definitely no exaggeration on my part in saying that the sense of 'double-consciousness' which 'haunts' our minds and souls, subconsciously shapes our cognitive behavior. No doubt, as a generation which is still deeply rooted in our 'traditional' ways of thinking and living, we confidently convince ourselves that we are not uprooting our local identity by attempting to become a 'global citizen'. In fact, we proudly and adamantly declare ourselves as a global citizen with a local identity ; i.e. a process identified in post-colonial theory as 'hybridity'. A mix of identity.
Honestly, I do welcome globalization. Evolution is inevitable. We need to expand ourselves, our society, beyond our demographic boundaries. We need to adopt a new meaning to our existence in relation to a wider social system. In fact, as knowledge workers situated within a global setting, we actually need to be able to play the roles as both the producers as well as consumers of global products. However, of crucial consideration is that, in adopting both the roles,we need to be consciously aware of how we actually shape ourselves or are shaped by others in terms of our true existence. In other words : Do we, as global citizens exist merely in 'form' or with 'substance' ?
It is definitely no exaggeration on my part in saying that the sense of 'double-consciousness' which 'haunts' our minds and souls, subconsciously shapes our cognitive behavior. No doubt, as a generation which is still deeply rooted in our 'traditional' ways of thinking and living, we confidently convince ourselves that we are not uprooting our local identity by attempting to become a 'global citizen'. In fact, we proudly and adamantly declare ourselves as a global citizen with a local identity ; i.e. a process identified in post-colonial theory as 'hybridity'. A mix of identity.
Honestly, I do welcome globalization. Evolution is inevitable. We need to expand ourselves, our society, beyond our demographic boundaries. We need to adopt a new meaning to our existence in relation to a wider social system. In fact, as knowledge workers situated within a global setting, we actually need to be able to play the roles as both the producers as well as consumers of global products. However, of crucial consideration is that, in adopting both the roles,we need to be consciously aware of how we actually shape ourselves or are shaped by others in terms of our true existence. In other words : Do we, as global citizens exist merely in 'form' or with 'substance' ?
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