File spoon-archives/postcolonial.archive/postcolonial_2003/postcolonial.0301, message 29


From: "Robert Zamsky" <rzamsky-AT-hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: American Francophilia
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 11:45:35 -0500


<html><div style='background-color:'><P>I have yet to participate in the debates on this list, but I just can't resist this thread.  The propensity for totalizing narratives is mind-boggling.  All French-people are arrogant racists; all Americans are ignorant and vacuous.  Of course, neither of these is true -- not in the least.   An obviously more interesting tack for this discussion would be the love-hate relationship that exists between the two countries/cultures.  Consumerism in France is hardly less than in the U. S. (just ask my 18 year old sister-in-law), and the love of American consumer products is astounding; French kids are even now starting to get fat just like American kids thanks to a generation of MacDo and computer games.  At the same time, U. S. politicians are seen as crass, unsophisticated, and provincial -- esp. GW.  But then, the French don't hold their own politicians in much higher esteem.  I would say that it is true that the French are generally more aware and concerned about global politics, but even that doesn't necessarily make the actions of their country any better.</P>
<P>While I would also say that the U. S. is generally more obsessed with entertainment, even that begins to break down if we look at the kinds of entertainment that are popular in France and elsewhere in Europe.  Check out the money and fan support involved in Formula 1 racing and top-level soccer -- makes American sports look like a neighborhood pickup game.</P>
<P>As to those who wish that we academes would teach Eminem, et al in the classroom.  Many of us do.  And as to the argument that music is more important because it reaches a larger audience -- using capitalistic supply/demand arguments is entirely unconvincing.  A book need not base its significance on sales ranking.</P>
<P>Cheers,<BR>Robert L. Zamsky, PhD<BR>DePaul University</P></div><br clear=all><hr>MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses.  <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMFEN/2022">Get 2 months FREE*.</a> </html>


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