Cultural Imperialism : A curse or a blessing? (7th entry)

African cardinals denounce "cultural imperialism"
(AP) – Oct 14, 2009

VATICAN CITY — African cardinals denounced the "cultural imperialism" of wealthy countries in their aid, trade and health care policies for Africa, saying Wednesday that the West's promotion of abortion rights and condoms is destroying the continent's moral fabric.

African prelates attending the three-week meeting on the role of the Catholic Church in Africa said their countries needed economic development partnerships that are based on trust and fairness, not ones that exploit Africa's natural resources and put conditions on aid.

"We want to be helped, but helped in the name of truth, with respect of what we are and what we want for ourselves," Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr of Dakar, Senegal, told a news conference.

He and Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier of Durban, South Africa, denounced "hidden" agendas of international aid groups and countries that promote abortion rights and condoms to fight HIV, saying the West was trying to impose its views on Africa.

Their arguments have been echoed during the synod, with repeated criticisms of institutions that promote "reproductive health care" for women. The Vatican has warned that such programs — often supported by the United Nations — are really just a cover for promoting access to abortions and birth control.

The Vatican opposes abortion and artificial contraception. It has come under heavy criticism for its opposition to condoms as a way of fighting HIV, particularly in hard-hit Africa.

"There are certain cultural norms that are inherent in Africa," Napier said. "One of them is that sexual activity is for bringing babies into the world. It's not so much for enjoyment."

But he said the "cultural imperialism" imported from the West "is saying 'no, it's for enjoyment, and pregnancy is almost a disease.'"

Napier also cited the practice by some aid groups of conditioning their aid with terms that are unacceptable to the Catholic Church, such as requiring a part of funding for anti-HIV programs to be set aside for condom purchases.

"Western populations think that their life is the model for everybody, but it's not the case," Sarr said. "If they have some ideas, they can put forward these ideas, but these shouldn't be imposed on all the populations in the world."

(article taken from : http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jpI1bL-AIzW8aIF-W_AKrb7pop6wD9BB0J3O0 )

The most basic definition of cultural imperialism is the imposition of a foreign viewpoint or civilization on a people. When we think of cutural imperialism, it generally carries a negative connotation and most people would assume it to be a bad thing.

In this case, it is evident that the African cardinals are not open to the ideas that the West are trying to impose on them and obviously are very against cultural imperialism because they feel that the practices that the West are trying to impose on them are in direct conflict with the values and beliefs of their own communities.

The issue which the cardinals are unhappy about is the fact that the West seems to be providing "conditional" aid to the country. In other words, "Do what we say or we are not helping you." In this instance, the cardinals have every right to be upset. When the richer and more powerful countries offer to help Africa because of their dire situation, there should not be any hidden agendas or conditions attached to the aid. That would be considered exploiting their position of power just because they are in a better position as opposed to Africa.

However, I do not agree with all the complaints that the cardinals have against the West. They are unhappy with "international aid groups and countries that promote abortion rights and condoms to fight HIV." While this might be in direct conflict with the countries own beliefs and practices, one also has to consider the how serious the battle against HIV is against Africa. It is obvious that not enough care and precaution is being taken in order to try to stop the spread of HIV.

In cases like these, I do feel that sometimes, cultural imperialism might be considered a good thing. Taking a page out of the West's books will do Africa no harm, only good, at least in this context. If no other effective alternative methods are offered in ordered to combat HIV, I think that hte cardinals should be open to accepting and adopting at least some of the methods which the West uses. For instance, abortion might be too much in conflict with the church's stand. However, when it comes to issues such as the use of condoms, although promoting it goes against the teachings of the church, if it is potentially going to save a countless number of lives, I think that maybe it might be time for them to re-evauate their stand.

While there are definitely many instances when cultural imperialism is a bad thing, I think it is important to realise that sometimes, adopting practices from a different culture or community could prove to be vital in order to advance one's own community or country. Maintaining one's own culture is important, but sometimes, holding on to it too tightly even though there is little reason to hold on those practices in today's society might prove to be rather impractical.