Final Thoughts: Love It or Leave It

Love It or Leave It

            In the year 2008 man has come a long way. And every day we face numerous decisions: Thin crust or deep dish? Boxers or briefs? And most importantly who to vote for on American Idol? All as important as the rest, I assure you. But what about the larger issues in life? Is it always one or the other, or can some compromise be found between the two? This is known as the “Tyranny of the Or” in business, and being a business major I know we might not always be the brightest, but in this case they’re absolutely correct. Professor Burton writes in his book that we must break down these simple binaries that create the “us vs. them” scenarios, as well as the “love it or leave it” predicaments. He uses several artists, which he dubs “artists of the floating world” to illustrate his point while also asking his students to look to their own conclusions.

            One key issue has been the topic of globalization and its effect on societies across the planet. The argument being whether or not the benefits of being able to communicate and connect with the other side of the world outweighs the costs of cultures and resources being devoured to do so. One author who not only writes about the clashing of cultures, but who actually experienced it first hand is Bharati Mukherjee. In her novel, Jasmine, she tells the story of young Indian girl who grows up and eventually travels to America where she faces a wide spectrum of experiences. In this book Jasmine desperately seeks acceptance to “fit in” and no longer be considered a “foreigner.” “Plain Jane is all I want to be. Plain Jane is a role, like any other. My genuine foreignness frightens him. It frightens me too.” (26, Jasmine) Another binary, and another instance in which she will never be one or the other. Her superb intellect and more than adequate English speaking make her as American as the next citizen. Yet her appearance and traditions will always be a part of her identity and will be interpreted as foreign.

            Some of the other situations and binaries that arise before Jasmine include fight against the rapist during her first day in America. In this instance she takes on the role of Kali, goddess of death, and slays her assailant. Yet later she becomes Jane, housewife to Bud, who washes the dishes, cleans the house, and plays the role if wife. Each persona being the antithesis of the other; was either side more Jasmine than the other? Or are they both simply part of the mix that is her and which arise when needed to get her through the current situation? I believe we all have these aspects to our lives and we are only aware of them for the time which they are personified. Think of any crisis situation you have ever been in. There are those of us who rise to the occasion and gain complete focus and leadership to resolve the emergency. On the other hand there are those who break down and freeze in the wake of the pressure. Scientists refer to this as “flight or fight.” This is merely one example, but if you examine your life I believe you will see what I mean.

These two examples portray both the blurring of binaries and the results of globalization; globalization being the reason that Jasmine’s journey to America is even possible in the first place. And it is the reason that we are able to read the words of Mukherjee who most likely would never have had a book published in India that would be read here in the states. The world has shrunk dramatically over the past two decades and the information at our disposable is virtually limitless. By expanding these technologies we give these types of opportunities to more and more individuals who have never had the chance to share their stories, and now they can pour them out to the world for anyone interested. And both Mukherjee and her character of Jasmine show how we as humans are far too complex to be either A or B, but rather we are always changing and always moving between the%2