Living in a Material Society
By Cara Campbell
I can understand why some people view Americans as selfish,
materialistic, and avaricious. When I look at everything I possess, I
sometimes wonder if I really need it all. Culture determines what is
necessity and what is luxury. Have we, as Americans, become so
egocentric that we can no longer distinguish between the two? In his
article, “Lessons from the Field,” George Gmelch examines the effects of
ethnographic fieldwork on American students of anthropology. I was
particularly intrigued by the students’ reflections on materialism and can
relate to their perceptions of wealth. When one is away from his or her
culture, the person gains an appreciation for different methods of living.
However, an outsider is never able to fully understand an entire culture
even after years of experience. Often people take customs practiced in
their own culture for granted and make assumptions that prove to be
gravely wrong. In “Eating Christmas in the Kalahari,” Richard Lee’s
misunderstanding of the Bushmen ironically leads to a more profound
grasp of the culture. The situation also shows how experiencing a
different way of life can result in deeper insight to one’s own culture.
Within the American culture lurk the ideals of wealth and success. Our
society values and encourages people to attain affluence and status. We
commend the “self- made men” and revere the “rags-to-riches” stories.
However, not every culture perceives wealth to the same extravagant
extent as Americans. I am guilty of occasionally taking what I own for
granted. When I flip through a “National Geographic” magazine and see
pictures of starving children in Ethiopia, my emotions range from shock to
anger and finally a sense of culpability because I am considered a well-off
American, yet have done nothing to help their situation. I see how
wasteful and ridiculously selfish our culture must appear to others. When
reading the reflections on wealth and materialism, I found myself strongly
relating to the students while they struggled with their own identities as
Americans and gradually adapted to the Barbadian lifestyle.
Students of anthropology must experience life without modern American
conveniences while involved in fieldwork (Gmelch, 50). Despite the
training they received prior to departure, I imagine the students were
nervous and scared about how they would fit within a culture completely
unlike their own. One of the most apparent differences and central issues
students dealt with was wealth. The people of Barbados may be poor
according to the standards set forth in the United States, but once
students went beyond initial perceptions they discovered that the village
people “manage quite well on what they have...[and] are reasonably
content” (Gmelch, 50). Unlike
Americans, Barbadians do not equate happiness and success with the
amount of monetary wealth one possesses. Initially, I was somewhat
surprised to discover that students found villagers to be “more satisfied
with their lives than are most Americans” (Gmelch, 50). Yet, after thinking
about the concept, I recognize how much sense it makes. Perhaps
Americans in general are not content because in the United States one is
relentlessly encouraged to pursue wealth. Being “satisfied” in America
would signify one’s resignation to a particular status level. After their
fieldwork experience many students say they are “less materialistic” and
“no longer take for granted the luxuries” (Gmelch, 51) found in American
society. I am skeptical of this. I believe that students returned with new
perceptions of wealth in the United States, but after they become
accustomed to their old habits once again, they most likely reverted back
to the traditional American mindset. A person cannot help being
materialistic in America. It is a part of our culture that regretfully will not
change.
Another aspect of American culture is philanthropy. I believe that along
with American wealth comes the desire to spread one’s fortune and give
back to the community. Before reading “Eating Christmas in the Kalahari,”
it never occurred to me that some cultures might perceive the benevolent
act of gift giving as arrogance. Richard Lee was especially confused at the
reaction he received from the Bushmen when he expressed his desire to
provide the largest animal for the traditional Christmas feast. Lee simply
wished to show his gratitude for the hospitality he was granted during
his stay in the Kalahari. Acting in a typical American fashion, Lee was
“determined to slaughter the largest, meatiest ox that money could buy,
insuring that the feast and trance dance would be a success” (Lee, 16). I
was astonished as I read the Bushmen’s reactions to Lee’s intentions.
They blatantly insulted the animal Lee chose by referring to it as a “bag of
bones” (Lee, 17). However, just as Lee’s impulse to find the largest
animal and be successful reflects American values, the Bushmen’s
mockery was characteristic of their own culture.
Within the egalitarian society of the Kalahari, equality is necessary while
arrogance is condemned. Even after living with the Bushmen for an
extended period of time, Lee did not comprehend their practice of
“insulting the meat.” After his humiliating experience with the Christmas
ox, Lee saw how the Bushmen “refuse one who boasts, for someday his
pride will make him kill somebody. So we always speak of his meat as
worthless. This way we cool his heart and make him gentle” (Lee, 21).
Although Lee was hurt by the reaction he received to his generosity, the
Bushmen’s “thoroughgoing skepticism of good intentions” (Lee, 21)
caused him to reevaluate his perceptions of the culture and lead to a
greater understanding of his own American identity.
Every member of a culture is directly affected by the values and standards
found within their society. I have seen how experience with different
cultures can result in deeper insight to one’s own culture. In “Lessons
from the Field,” George Gmelch shows how the perspective of his
students was radically altered after living in poor villages without the
comfort of American luxuries. Richard Lee portrays his humbling
experience in “Eating Christmas in the Kalahari” and demonstrates that
not all efforts of generosity are appreciated. Prior to reading these
articles, I had not considered the extent of American materialism or the
arrogance associated with gift giving. I think it is essential to recognize
one’s own cultural views and why they exist while being tolerant and
respectful of another’s perspective. If everyone embraced this principle it
is possible that the world would be a less confusing and more enjoyable
place to live
Works Cited
Gmelch, George. “Lessons from the Field”. Conformity and Conflict:
Readings in Cultural Anthropology. McCurdy, David M. & Spradley, J.
Boston: Macalester, 2003.
Lee, Richard B. “Eating Christmas in the Kalahari”. Conformity and
Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology. McCurdy, David M., &
Spradley, J. Boston: Macalester, 2003.