Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Surfing...Imperialism?

At the turn of the 20th century, the American government spread its arms and put them into the lives of many countries around the globe. The annexation of the Philippines is a great example of America's take on imperialism. Yet, even to this day some elements of imperialism exist but not in the same militaristic fashion.
American surf culture, an adaptation of Hawaiian surf culture, can be seen on any beach with a decent amount of swell but is it welcomed?

Countless times in surf "history" we see native Hawaiians bumping heads with white American surfers over who has claim to what. In "Haole Go Home", an anonymous Hawaiian writes, "You Mainlanders come over and try to run the show, and we are supposed to be your servants". This line is an echo of any culture that has had to deal with Americans or, in the 18th century, the British. A large culture or country finds a small culture, notices they have something they can capitalize on, and takes the culture for themselves. You can see it in surfing, music, and any non-native cultural activity practiced in either America or Europe. However, here lies the question: Is surfing another cultural practice that Americans capitalized on? Or is it the only practice that can coexist among the cultures? From my perspective, we are still feeling the wounds of American and European imperialism, even in the 21st century.

Is surfing another product of American Imperialism?

1 comment:

  1. Gabe -

    Interesting thoughts. I've been interested in notions of cultural imperialism, or the homogenization of global youth culture, via what the Red Hot Chili Peppers deemed 'Californication'. I think surfing and surf culture, as much as it is am emblem of the ethos of American freedom, are both very much a vehicle of this. So in that respect, is surfing that coexists among the cultures; or is it something more active, with more agency, that is affecting these cultures, and ultimately making them more uniformly 'California cool'? I'd be very interested in your thoughts.

    - Trey

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