This weeks reading discussed the idea of plural cultural identities in the mirror of post-colonialism, capitalism and globalization. I plan to discuss the articles framework with my personal experiences in rural Thailand.
Globalization has opened 'up new possibilities and positions of identification' through the diffusion of culture (Gillespie 2012, p. 99). For instance in my experiences in rural Thailand, many shopkeepers and merchants fully embrace their Theravada Buddhist beliefs, while still employing capitalist ways of life and attitudes. Many local Thai's would engage in Takbha, worship and meditation engaging in discourses that emphasize the flippancy of material goods, while still bolstering their respective business'.
This is an example of how the people 'learn to inhabit at least two identities, to speak two cultural languages, to translate and negotiate between them' (Gillespie 2012, p. 99).
Reference
Gillespie M. 2012. The Role of Meia in religious Transnationalism. In Lynch G. and J. Mitchell with A. Strhan. Eds., Religion, Media and Culture: A Reader. pp 98-110. London and New York: Routledge.
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