Under the sign of Mickey Mouse and Co. (Phuong Nguyen)

Globalized or Americanized? This problem is controversial problem. The article “Under the sign of Mickey Mouse and Co.” by Todd Gitlin discusses the problem and it encourages both sides.

First, the writer gives evidence to prove that the world is being Americanized. He mentions a Canadian educator’s theory in which the world is assumed a global village and it is American, “speaks American, wears jeans, drinks Coke, eats at the golden arches...” Gitlin also told a story about a champagne cellar in France. Although the cellar was dedicated by Marie Antoinette – the Queen of France and Navarre, all the pictures in the cellar were of famous Hollywood stars drinking champagne. In addition, the writer claimed that “French resentment of American civilization is well known”, however, American movies still sold tons of tickets in France. Young filmmakers all over the world want to “become the next Steven Spielberg or George Lucas”, who are very famous Hollywood directors. Gitlin also explains why American culture is so popular. It is different from others such as British, Soviet culture. While British model was classbound and Soviet was mainly didactic, American culture is to entertain the common man and woman, it’s not aristocratic. They cultivated “popularity, not elevation; fun, not refinement”. The most typical and famous model for this statement are Disneyland and Hollywood. In Hollywood movies, actions are always very expressive; speech is the second mode of expression, which makes those movies more interesting. Another reason why the world is being Americanized is features of American English. It’s “compressed, pungent, informal, absorptive, evolving, precise, transferable between written and verbal form…”

Gitlin also supports the idea that America is being globalized. No one could say what American culture exactly is. It is a blend of Europe’s and Africa’s culture. Moreover, it continues to accept almost any input. Materials in American products are international. For example, Disney used tales from Britain, Germany, Italy… Hollywood uses capital, hires personnel and depicts sites from many different parts in the world. American music is also a mix of different kinds of music such as Jamaican ska, rap…

In my opinion, both the world and the USA are being affected by each other. The USA seeks for inspiration from all around the world to put into their products, which is known as globalized. This makes the US entertainment production more interesting to foreigners. Therefore, people all around the world accept America’s products more easily. Then, the world is Americanized.

There is no doubt that the world is being Americanized and vice versa, but is this trend never going to change?