Response to Theories of Mixture III: Hybridity
Hybridization describes the cultural mixing that occurs in Latin America, and that process is a result of modernization. Latin America remains inundated with new influences as development spurs global communication and urbanization creates more space for people to access the global market. Hybridization started and created mestizaje, but the process continues and there are still more influencers being introduced. As Latin America becomes more modern, it gains more access to the global community. It is a beneficial relationship (i.e. Latin America and the global community’s relationship) because it means more access to information, technology, and goods. In some ways this improves the national market and provides locals with more resources, and in other ways this globalization can exacerbate the pre-existing inequalities and chip away at the local culture. The global market means access to cheaper goods, which takes money away from locally sourced products. It also motivates people...