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whiskyinmind
whiskyinmind
22 February 2005 @ 10:46 pm
This world  
A Russian boy being accepted into the present-day-equivalant of the Hitler Youth
An Inuit boy taken on a seal-hunitng expedition/initiation
Twins from Chicago having their Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem
A Dominican Republic girl at her 'debutante ball' on board a cruise ship
A Japanese girl being accepted into the sisterhood of the Geisha
An Islamic girl getting an education in Malaysia
A Ugandan boy undergoing his rite-of-passage circumcision (without anaesthetics)
A Chinese girl training in the People's Army at a summer camp

I missed most of this programme, but I switched on for the end of it. The BBC are exploring rites of passage for various peoples across the world. I mentioned not long ago that I'm very interested in anthropology and cultural studies. What this programme showed me however, was how limited my knoweldge is. I had no idea Geisha society was still such as strong a focal point among the Japanese as it is, or that quasi-militaristic bodies like this existed in Russia. I've been to Moscow and (at the time) Leningrad (now St Petersburg), I saw the things that were referred to in this show - the refugee influx leading to begging on the streets at every turn, the huge shortages, the fucking lanes set aside for government and 'priveldged' cars on the streets. I understand where the boy who joined the militaristic group in Moscow was coming from.

That scares me.

The people featured on this show were teenagers, or just coming into their teenage years. These people are the future of this world. The things they were saying, the thoughts expressed, worry me.

"If we spent our lives in a military camp, we'd all be the same. We couldn't think freely. I can imagine that. But it's not for me." - the Chinese girl said that just after she got out of the military summer camp.


That almost gives me hope, but then I remember the boy in Moscow. With just as much logic on his face, saluting the flag of the militaristic sect he's just joined.

Am I being overly-dramatic? Am I falling into the trap the BBC laid for me with the presentation of this programme? The media graduate in me is very aware of the editing process that went on in this, the attempt to present a specific viewpoint. Does that knowledge make me too suspicious? Probably. Is there an ulterior motive in the presentation of this programme? Probably.

Either way, it's fascinating to me.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_world/4271015.stm is the site which has links to the profiles on all the teenagers involved.
 
 
Current Music: BBC Newsnight
 
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[identity profile] rileysaplank.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 02:57 pm (UTC)
In Germany there are organisations caling themselves Scout troops but they are effectively Hitler Youth groups, so it doesn't surprise me that there are similar groups in Russia.
[identity profile] whiskyinmind.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:01 pm (UTC)
It wasn't so much that the group existed, more that I almost understood why the boy joined the group. That's what scared me.

I'd like to think I'm semi-educated, that I can recognise the difference betweeen well-meaning groups and brainless idiots. That I 'got' where this boy was coming from, that I sympathised with, scares me.
[identity profile] rileysaplank.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:04 pm (UTC)
Is it really that scary that you can see he feels that a militaristic group gives him the things he feels are missing from his life?
[identity profile] whiskyinmind.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:06 pm (UTC)
Not in those terms, no. It was the verging-on xenophobic and racist dogma spouted as catchwords, as slogans, as fact. That'a what scares me.
[identity profile] rileysaplank.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:11 pm (UTC)
On that point, it is scary. That there are still groups that promote the divisions and differences between different people, is scary and that they are still finding people that want to join their ranks is very worrying. And these people will then grow to try to induct the next generation to their views.
[identity profile] whiskyinmind.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:17 pm (UTC)
It's 13 years since I was in Russia, at the time (for a few months at least) it was still the Soviet Union.

I can remember the harshities of every-day life. I can remember forcing myself to eat a fried egg I could literally bounce off the walls so as not to offend the people who had gone without so that their guest could have a fresh egg. I can only imagine how that situation has worsened over those thirteen years to the point where the step this boy has taken is the logical thing to do.

You're right, he will grow up in that mind-set and by the time the next generation is able to make choices for themselves his choice will be the norm.
[identity profile] velvetwhip.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:21 pm (UTC)
I think it's marvelous that you have questioned what you saw! One of the greatest myths of Western culture is the myth of "objective journalism". ALL news is propaganda. Once you realize that, then you can search for the truth. Give your mind teeth and chew EVERYTHING before swallowing!


Gabrielle
[identity profile] whiskyinmind.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:31 pm (UTC)
Give your mind teeth and chew EVERYTHING before swallowing!



What a fantastic way to put it! The Uni I work for is actually responsible for one of the major studies into news bias (GUMG - Glasgow University Media Group 0 "Bad News") which I studied during my degree at a different Uni (also in Glasgow.... *g*) It's just a shame that in this country people tend to trust what the news tells them, especially "Auntie Beeb".
[identity profile] whiskyinmind.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:33 pm (UTC)
(that should be a - not an 0)
[identity profile] velvetwhip.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:36 pm (UTC)
Thanks!


And it's even worse in this country where people think CNN and Fox News are GOSPEL and the New York Times can do no wrong!

I've been fascinated by cultural anthropology and the concept of cultural imperialism since reading "How to Read Donald Duck" many, many years ago. Like any book worth reading, that one at least ACKNOWLEDGES its bias from the outset! Just the way I prefer my nonfiction, thank you!


Gabrielle
[identity profile] whiskyinmind.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:43 pm (UTC)
That's the only kind of non-fiction I'll read actually, the kind that actually comes out and says "This is my opinion, I might be talking through a hole in my head - you decide"

I have an automatic distrust for anything that claims to be the definitive source on anything.
[identity profile] velvetwhip.livejournal.com on February 22nd, 2005 03:48 pm (UTC)
I firmly agree with you! And may I say it's wonderful to find another true skeptic! Huzzah for you!

I also admire the fact that you knew you were being manipulated by the programme you watched and acknowledged that you experienced some of what they WANTED you to feel. I never trust people who claim to be entirely unaffected by media propaganda. Those people are generally, though all unawares, completely duped! It's only by admitting to oneself that one HAS been influenced, that one can OVERCOME that influence!

Gabrielle
[identity profile] willowmina.livejournal.com on February 23rd, 2005 12:19 am (UTC)
I wish I'd seen it now. Geisha have fascinated me for about two years now. It's good to know that it's still getting along though.

*wanders off to look at site*

Jackie
xx
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