Scholars generally are in agreement that the pace of globalization is rapidly accelerating. Globalization's impact, beyond the socioeconomic and political discourses, is affecting conceptions of culture and cultural studies, and changing and restructuring spaces, global, national and personal interactions and relationships. The "texts" and artifacts borne of culture-activities, events and our conception thereof are a mechanism for the propagation of culture. Simultaneously Westernization/Americanization impacts local cultures through consumerism, which obfuscates local traditions, knowledge and experiences. This research argues that culture is a dynamic, adaptive concept and practice, "borrowing" liberally from ideological and technological innovations of other cultures and integrating these borrowed aspects into the construction and modification of culture across spatial and geographical divides to ensure particular cultures' survival. The research shows that the local affects the global, and vice versa. It selects local communication "texts" to show that cultures are not "victims" of globalization or the proliferation of mass media. Cultures actively adopt and integrate globalization's technological artifacts. Globalization's positive effects are dynamic and span cultural interactions and permeate structures of authority at personal, national and global levels.

No abstract

No abstract

Re-dedicated to the brightest star in the constellation, Mary Wanjiku Macharia-Magu, all her children all their/her/my children, for anchoring these turbulent times and sharing the joys of life and work. And to Dr. Akomolafe & departmental colleagues, for taking a chance on future possibilities; To other really special people Tina Thomas (and Andros), Jade Nicquole, the Bellos and Rose. To Ashia Danielle and zeitgeist conversations about the world and spirituality before pandemics. To Lessie, for excellence in everything. To Joy. For friendship, mentoring and 'my siblings'. To the next generation of leaders and activists I had the pleasure of teaching: to my many students who needed stuff to read Alesha, Alexis, Alicia, Aniyah, Breauna, Deja and thousands more. And to a continent figuring out its future in a most convoluted, post-colonial, post-Cold War, post-pandemic world.

No abstract