Western Influence...the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Everyday in the US, we go about our day bombarded with the signs, symbols, and propaganda of the Western world in all its glory. Yet, we hardly notice the tacky billboards, neon signs, and human interactions that indicate the "development" of our civilization because they have become such an accepted part of our lives. It is only when we enter the developing world that we are made acutely aware of the influence of our "developed" ideals on the people and culture of developing countries. During my time in Ghana, I have become increasingly aware of the Western influence present in the country, specifically the city of Kumasi. Don't get me wrong - the Western influence is not 100% detestable...it has its shining points alongside its downfalls.

As you drive through Kumasi and its outskirts, you experience street vendors (children, adolescents, grandmas - all walks of life) walking up and down the streets selling their goods. Upon entrance to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, you pass through gates guarded by men stopping cars in the hopes of obtaining money. Huge billboard advertisements are everywhere - encouraging passersby to indulge in FanMilk or to choose Vodafone over MTN or Zain for cell phone service. The market in Kumasi is one of (if not) THE biggest markets in West Africa - full of people selling food, shoes, handbags, and of course Ghana Black Stars memorabilia. TV shows, commercials, and music videos all portray lives of lavish...something experienced by only the most elite Ghanians. As you drive down the streets of Kumasi, you are struck by the number of people who are doing more than "trying to make a quick buck..." - they're trying to make a living.

While in Ghana, I was surprised at how shocked I was by the overwhelming amount of advertisements...of course there are just as many hideously tacky billboards proudly paraded all over our nation. I was surprised that men guarding gates would stop cars just to get money. I was overwhelmed by the number of kids walking the streets, trying to make money, instead of going to school. Perhaps clarification came to me as I watched a music video commercial during the World Cup. It exemplified a lavish life of driving around in a BMW, a person surrounded by wealth and happiness. It was in this moment I realized how much developed Western nations have influenced the attitudes and culture of select less developed countries into nations obsessed with the acquisition of money and material wealth. It is almost as though Western influence has caused some nations to undergo an identity crisis...the "Western life" appears so appealing that it causes people to "forget" their roots in an attempt to reach "greener grass."

Yet, I also consider the "good" of Western influence on developing nations. Although we appear to be (and arguably are) a society of material wealth, we are also a society of dreamers and goal-makers. We are visionaries. Through this, we show people in other nations that dreams can become reality. Goals can be achieved. While I feel ashamed that the focus of money and material wealth rules the Western influence on developing countries, I delight in the idea that the Western ideals of opportunity, dreams becoming a reality, and perseverance can serve as a beacon of hope to other nations.