Diasporic Media in the UK: Journal #2

In our second week of class, we discussed the impact of globalization on the United Kingdom. Globalization is a hotly-debated topic in contemporary times, and while some argue that widespread communication can only improve conditions for people all over the world, others cite the opportunity globalization creates for cultural homogeneity and dominance of capitalist countries.
In the United Kingdom--a wealthy country with a capitalist economy and access to technological resources--globalization seems to have had positive effects on the lives of citizens, especially ethnic minorities separated from friends and family in their native countries. With improvements in global communication technology, families can stay in contact with their far-away loved ones (if they have access to the same technologies, which many may not). Furthermore, global communication has allowed ethnic minorities more representation in the media of the United Kingdom. The huge Bengali population in London, for example, has prompted a surge in Bengali representation in both film and television, especially in programs geared toward younger audiences. I was guiltily watching the cheesy soap opera Hollyoaks on E4, and found amongst the scandalous stories of love, sex, and betrayal, a storyline based around racism toward an Asian student. In fact, a number of members of the young, ridiculously attractive cast represent the large minority groups of London. For countries as wealthy as London, globalization seems beneficial both socially and economically. As media outlets recognize the expanding market of ethnic minorities of the UK, members of these groups gain more media representation, and, as a result, are less alienated and more accepted into society. This is a rather simplified explanation, and inclusion in one culture may bring issues of cultural allegiance into play, but overall, for capitalist countries and the citizens who inhabit them, globalization seems to have positive effects on society. The implications for smaller, poorer countries, however, may not be so beneficial.