Bridgette Beach-Bankole
Economic globalization is generally viewed as beneficial to the Western world, however,
there are many concerning effects that it has on other regions of the world. Most notably,
pollution. While conducting an interview with one of my colleagues, she expressed one example
of how economic globalization has affected her home country. Grace, is a brand that is widely
used in the Caribbean. Through Grace, Westerners are introduced to classic island cuisines
such as jerk chicken, callaloo, peas and rice. With this new found discovery of a product that
makes Caribbean cuisine feasible to make in your own kitchen, there is a marker created in the
Americas. Thus, for the developing countries of the Caribbean (Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago,
the Bahamas) that means greater international influence, raised productivity and more jobs
available. Though the positives may seem overwhelming, there are many concerning effects of
globalization in these countries. Most notably, exploitation. Assuming the conditions of these
countries are different, many Western companies may use their power to exploit the factory
workers. In addition, cultural homogeneity can be a harmful effect of globalization. Sacred
cultural practices and unique cultures begin to merge, or be overtaken, by the Western cultural
standards.
As most Americans today, I am a consumer of goods. Being able to indulge in different
cultural foods, clothing and products has been a hobby of mine for many years now. The world
today has become more ethically aware of the process in which our goods are made. Whenever
I buy from a specialty brand, I enjoy looking into the background of the product.
“Where was it made?”
“ How many people are involved in the process?”
“What materials are used to make the products?”
“ Am I at an advantage for having access to a store that sells this product?”
For example, the clothing brands that I used to shop at are fast fashion brands. Clothes that are
advertised to the consumer as “on-trend” and are disposed of after the trend is over. As
mentioned earlier, these fashion brands exploit labor workers because many of the nations don’t
have sufficient labor laws that protect them from ill treatment.
Though my generation is becoming more enlightened about the ethics and morality that come
with being a consumer, I would have to disagree that most people understand their place in the
world. We all come from diverse economic and social backgrounds, therefore there will always
be a contrast in how I view globalization and the next person’s desertion.