World Music & World Languages

When it comes to pop culture and the mass media, Americans know what they want to hear, especially when it comes to music.  They want to hear what their friends are listening and what is "in" at the moment.  Most "mass media" do not want to hear about any subjects that are too deep or too controversial.  Also, language is a huge barrier that Americans are too lazy to get by.

Like we discussed in class, because English is the dominant language around the world, Americans feel no need to learn any other languages.  I think that if we were raised to learn new languages at a younger age we would be more susceptible to grasping a number of languages and accepting of more music.

I think it is sad that we are not inclined to learn more languages because we feel no need.  We have the security of knowing we can still be a success in "the land of opportunity" without having to know multiple languages.  With the increase in globalization, however, I feel like more and more the ability to speak multiple languages is becoming crucial to success. 

It is also sad to me that because of Americans lack of learning multiple languages, we are very closed minded to music of different cultures or backgrounds.  We are apprehensive to learn about or listen to music in other languages, that give far more important messages then the music that the mass media listens to in our society, and that may be just as good (if not better) then the music we are listening to on the radio.  That is a touchy topic though because good music is opinion based, and we all have different opinions.

Like one girl said in class on Tuesday, all that it takes is one "head honcho" from some big record label in America to say "that person is the next big hit" and fund the creation and promotion of an album and most likely that person or band will hit it off big in main stream America. 

I think what it comes down to is the dedication of the performer and if they are willing to do what it takes to succeed.  Though opportunities are perhaps very lessened in other countries, people can make it.  If your good, your good and people of all locations, cultures, and backgrounds can recognize that.

I definitely feel that the growing importance of English as the world's language has threatened to homogenize cultural expression around the globe.  It is unfair for all countries to have to learn our language to get by in what seems like our (America's) world.  Its not America's world, its every human, every culture, every countries, every languages world.  I think Americans need to step it up and start participating in the interaction of other languages.