31 May 2009

Massive Cultural Empire...Not So Much

That is a picture from the Washington Post of Mark Apram, Baghdad's "most popular tattoo artist", who is proud to say "Anything American, I love it" (h/t Tom Bowler). Well, the Iron Maiden "Killers" shirt is British, but you get the idea. With this bold proclamation that didn't even involve throwing a show, you know he's not winning any friends in the American liberal community. The WaPo has an extensive article of how even though American forces are pulling out of cities, the cultural influence will have a lasting effect:

But the whispers may linger just as long -- the far quieter way in which two cultures that often found it difficult to share the same space intersected to reshape Iraq's language, culture and sensibility. From tattoos of Metallica to bellybutton piercings, from posters for a rap concert in Baghdad to stories parents tell their naughty children in Fallujah of the Americans coming to get them, the occupation has already left its mark.
The big benefit of cultural globalization is that the people have the freedom to choose how they live their life from a variety of trends rather than ones dictated by the state and religion. Reason had a huge article celebrating this phenomenon late last year. They've got metalheads in Iran, you can't go in a club in Southeast Asia right now without hearing "Poker Face", and even communist Laos has it's own Gangsta Rap outfit. Usually when you hear overeducated people talking about how America is "culturally imperialistic", it's because their culture of Segways, organic food, and self-righteous attitudes isn't the one being exported. Besides America is just a cultural stew of the rest of the world after all, who are we to judge what people can't pick and choose.

7 comments:

Wek said...

Iron Maiden Infiltration! Gotta luv it.

Elizabeth said...

Y'all have probably already seen this...but just in case you haven't, you should check out 'Global Metal', a Canadian documentary.

http://www.globalmetalfilm.com/03/GM_03.html

Nixon said...

Who knew Eddie was from the Middle East, well except for the Powerslave album, which kind of gave it away.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I'm sure I would agree - wholeheartedly - if I knew what the heck you were talking about.

I just sort of came across Global Metal accidentally on CBC Newsworld - our equivalent of CNN, but better. And, I must admit, I think I like this stuff!

Elizabeth said...

...that was just me...

Anonymous said...

This reminds me, anyone know what's up with the metal band from Baghdad that was featured in the Vice doc?

San Diego Oceanfront rentals said...

But just in case you haven't, you should check out 'Global Metal', a Canadian documentary.