The Migration of Ladies and Lhasa Apsos

Topic: Globalization, Localization

Source:

Cultural Anthro, Richard Robbins (p. 71- 81)

Conformity and Conflict, James Spradley and David W. CcCurdy, (p. 146 - 155)

Central Bark, Dog Park.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lhasa_Apso

Relation: Globalization is the spread of culture throughout the world driven by economic means. The exchange of cultures has increased even more rapidly with the development of the internet and aeronautics. The globalization has also brought new commodities to foreign lands. Some of these commodities are accepted by the local people. This is localization.

Description: It was approximately 7:33am when I closed the door and locked it behind me. Higgins, my roommate’s dog, needs to be walked. He is a curious Lhasa Apso. As we walked to Central Bark, we saw a variety of other dog breeds and owners.

The breeds of the dogs varied greatly. The most recognizable dogs were a shih tzu, and a Polish lowland sheepdog. Many of the other dogs I saw were mixed breed dogs that I did not recognize. The dogs varied from small to medium (5 lbs – 25lbs).

With the exception of the 40-50-year-old, male, jogger balancing a dog leash, cell phone and a cigarette, the majority of dog walkers were female. Many of them appear to be young professionals in the age range on 25-40 years old. One of the women was walking her dog just before going to work. It was obvious because she was dressed in a black skirt and a blazer. Several of the women wore casual clothes. A few were joggers, wearing workout clothes.

Commentary: I have done this nearly every day since moving to Irvine in late December. Today was the first time I have really stopped to observe my fellow walkers. Part of that is because I was retraining Higgins. But even after retraining Higgins, I never really stopped to look at people. I am a college student and this apartment complex is primarily inhabited by young professionals.

I found it interesting that the primary group of dog walkers is in fact young professional women. It made me think of the reading by Ehrenreich and Hochschild. Women in the first world have progressed significantly even when challenged with such adversity. But I doubt I would see any third world nannies in this part of town.

I also began to think about how the “purpose” of women has changed recently. In the past, men were the breadwinners. Women took care of domestic work. It was a woman’s objective to find a man, marry, and have a family. They have become quite independent.

I also began to think about Higgins. After we returned from our walk, I went online and did some research on Lhasa Apsos. Lhasa Apsos were originally bred in Tibet as guard dogs, sworn to alert the monks of intruders. My apartment is not a Buddhist Temple, but that doesn’t stop him from alerting me that there are people walking around outside my door. Higgins is a living, breathing example of globalization. It is only a matter of time before he becomes localized.

Cockfights and Cockblocks (Jocks)

Topic: Balinese Cockfight/American Football

Source: Cultural Anthro, Richard Robbins (p. 17- 25)

Highlights from Super Bowl XLVII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IZ5gLsp7tM)

National Geographic Taboo Bloodsport (Netflix.com)

Relation: Cultural text is a way of thinking about culture as a text of significant symbols, words, gestures, etc. that carry meaning. We are to view a situation as a text and assign meanings in relation to the culture in which it occurs.

Description: Cockfights hold a significant role in the Balinese culture. They can be the center of many social gatherings. Many members of the community flock to view the spectacle. Handlers secure spurs to the cocks as they prepare them for the encounter. Spectators place bets on the cocks. The crowds cheer on their favorite cocks. In the aftermath, the winner will consume the loser’s cock.

In American football, two teams will face each other with the goal of winning. The two sides play and score touchdowns by getting the ball past the opposing team’s end zone, field goals by kicking the ball through the metal “Y”-shaped goal, and safeties by tackling the opponent in their own end zone. Some fans place bets on their teams. Many more fans cheer their teams on as they play to win. In the end, winners will have victory parties and the losers will hope for a better season next year.

Commentary/Analysis: Many “westernized” cultures share the beliefs that blood sports are barbaric rituals that promote aggression and violence. Cockfights are seen as being unnecessarily violent, as the two birds fight to the death. In nature, the loser would flee and live to fight another day. It is interesting to see the similarities between the American culture and the Balinese culture. In fact, the Balinese word for cock (sabung) carries many of the same meanings as the American version. The jokes made about both are very similar. I also found it interesting that the Balinese people believe their land is shaped like a sabung. I have also heard the same said about the shape of America. Some people have said that Florida represents America’s phallus.

I found it interesting how quickly western cultures pass judgment onto other cultures. Many people consume chicken, and as PETA mentions, the chicken slaughterhouses are very inhumane. It may have to do with the fact that cockfights take place in public, whereas, slaughterhouses are seldom seen.

After reading about doing more research about cockfights, it is interesting to see how much care and effort is required of the trainers. They do whatever they can to ensure that the birds are healthy and ready to fight. I saw several parallels between training for a cockfight and training for other contact sports, such as boxing. The boxers have their hands wrapped and put on boxing gloves much like spurs are secured onto the birds’ legs. Like in cockfighting, the boxers are monitored every time they go down. They are inspected to make sure they can continue fighting.

When stepping out of my own culture and viewing American football, it appears very violent. Although the men are wearing pads, their bodies still feel the impact. Football jargon is also reminiscent of war. Block, flank, blitz, offense, defense, bomb, etc. In addition, I recall many football players from my high school saying: “Football is fun because you get to hit people.”

The word “jock” is often used to describe a football player. It is interesting to see how the word for covering the private area of a man is applied to define him. In addition, a cheerleader’s pom-poms are sometimes used to describe a woman’s breasts. American football demonstrates a clear gender construction in America.