L.B.
Hansen chronicles the process of Mrs. Miyanda buying clothes for herself and her children (195). She states that she did not get a good price on the shirt she bought for herself, but wanted it so decided to purchase it anyway. How has the line between 'want' and 'need' been obscured in Zambia through salaulas, and more specifically, globalization?
Alex P.
Zambian consumers prefer merchandise that is hung up “fresh” from the bale (with wrinkles and folds), as prewashed and ironed clothing leaves the suspicion that the clothes are “thirdhand”—previously owned and worn by Zambians. Why is thirdhand clothing not considered “genuine salaula”? Why does it matter if other Zambians have worn these Western-style clothes prior to customer purchase? Does this mean customers buy salaula, not necessarily for the Western-style, but because they believe it was in contact with/worn by Western bodies?
Natalie
On page 172, Hansen speaks of how Zambians tried to avoid "third-hand clothing." When is the moment that clothes change fomr second to third-hand clothing? And how does this affect how much they appreciate the article wheras the change from first to second-hand did not?
Ian
The terms 'new' and 'alive' take on an ironic interpretation in dealing with the bundles of clothes. Is this related to how the Zambians do not see the clothes as previously worn, or is it just because fresh bales are how they get genuine Salaula?
Shannon
In which ways does this "work of consumption" in Zambia differ from the ease of online shopping today in the United States? Are these differences caused by economic status or American culture? How does the recession in America change any of this?
Zach F.
The socioeconomic meanings that clothes have in Zambia are discussed at great length. Is this suprising given that they are "inspired by fashion trends and popular dress cultures rom across the world." To what extent does the American depict a socioeconomic status when selecting clothes? Can you think of any situations in which you were suprised by someone whose clothes did not seem to match their status?
Amanda B.
Hansen talks about how salaula trading requires "talent" and "chance" and that owning a salaula isn't something any person can start up. I underestimated the process. What would you think would happen to second hand clothing trade if anyone could begin a salaula? Would it be successful or chaos?
Christy
The author writes that, "Save for the origin of salaula garments, there is nothing particularly 'Western' about how people in Zambia deal with them" (251). Is this Zambian practice something more than localization?
Amanda P.
"Women's dressed bodies receive considerable critical scrutiny, and cases involving miniskirts in public provoked additional debate...when TV announcer Dora Siliya was suspended from the government controlled...Zambian Broadcasting Corporation for 'insubordination arising from her wearing miniskirts'" (218). To what extent are clothes from overseas (particularly American clothing) influencing the gender dichotomy of those in Zambia. Does this create a clash between style and cultural values?
Stephanie
In Chapter 9, the author describes the idea of the "Kitchen Party," as an event that is unique to Zambia, in which "participants evaluate and judge both behavior and dress, collect information, trade, and share insights into the sources of clothing, design, and style (213)." Although we do not have such "Kitchen Parties" in the US, is this same stress put on dress and how people look at the parties we do have in America?
Hannah
how has salula effected the way in which clothing shows power, with more people shopping at salula does this somewhat neutralize the social classes of zambia?
L.B.
It was stated that the Zambian government "allowed itself to be convinced by political arguments of the 'goodness' of salaula" (244). Is salaula good for the Zambian poorer class? The economy? The country as a whole?
Stephanie
In looking at the politics of saluaula in Chapter 10, the author looks at both sides of the debate for and against the popularity and use of such secondhand clothing in Zambia. With that, the author explains that "African borders are highly permeable, and Zambia's border areas are not only vast but often unprotected (234)." After all we have read, do you think the Zambian government should prohibit the import of this clothing? Do you think such a ban on secondhand clothing imports would even stop such trade from occurring?
Shannon
Ultimately, do you believe the secondhand clothing consumption is based more on "conformity and imitation" or "creativity and rebellion"?
Zach F.
Is the purchasing of salaula by the Zambian people like the female romance readers? Is this never ending circle of rebellion and conformity?
Zach N.
“In Zambia’s urban and rural markets in the mid-1990s, the secondhand clothing sections were almost everywhere many times larger than the food sections.” The idea of clothes over food seems to be a redundant theme throughout the book, why did they place greater emphasis on clothes?
Amanda P.
"Salaula consumption both draws and erases distinctions in clothing consumption practices between classes and across urban and rural areas at the same time as it attaches new meaning to notions of us versus them, rich versus poor...(255)" After this reading, do you think that Salaula has has created more divides, or more connections within and outside Zambia?
Julie
When speaking of the kitchen party, Hansen says that the "cultural terms informing the kitchen party celebrate women's subordinate roles to husbands" (212) Can you relate the disapproval of revealing clothes at kitchen parties to disapproval of women's dress in the United States, or are the norms and processes of reaching those norms completely different?
Gavin
What are your reactions of donated clothing for charity use being used for a business? What are other goods that could have this same problem?
Zach F.
What lessons of a patriarchal society can we take from this film? Why do the bead maker's fear the men more than the female's if they are over half the work force? What makes the women desirable for this job, there non revolting attitude or the cheap labor?
Amanda B.
Do you think people (Americans) REALLY have "no clue" when they're asked where the beads come from? People aren't stupid, they must know that something as simple and mass produced as plastic beads come from a large factory overseas. Are they in denial or they do think "I don't know where they come from and I don't wanna know"?
Amanda P.
I thought one of the most moving moments of the film was when Mrs. Pearl used the Beads as her own example of thinking of cross national ties. She later said that she didn't want to ask questions of the origin of things, for fear of being upset at the answers she received. How did this film make you feel about being an American? Would you rather have not known the story of the beads? Do you think any of the Mardi-Gras goers will change their behavior after seeing some of the footage?
Christy
What can be said about the ignorance and indifference most Americans interviewed for the Mardi Gras documentary expressed? Are Americans really that egocentric, or did the filmmakers create a sense of this through their filming and editing techniques?
Zach N.
In the film "Mardi Gras: Made in China," when discussing the factory structure one man stated "the system works for them, but it would never work in the United States." Why is this so? Does it have to do with their culture, their social structure, or does it have to do with their work ethic?"
Lizzy
It seems unreal that the factory owner could give his workers basically no respect. Was he lying when he said he believed that workers were happy and enjoyed their work? Are our cultures so different that the treatment toward workers is acceptable? Does the boss have no morals that he doesn't feel bad for them at all?
Tiffany
Is it ignorant of Americans to not know where the beads that they use to celebrate are from? Do you think that this movie shows, in any way, the cross cultural affects between different culture?
Ian
Its amazing to me how neither party recognizes how the product is made or what its used for. How did understanding the meaning of the beads change how people felt about them? Which party was affected more/who's conscience was affected the most?
Stephanie
What do you think the purpose of this documentary was? Do you think it is fair to expect people to watch a movie like this and feel guilty about purchasing such beads or enjoying a Mardi Gras event where such products are used in excess? Do you think hearing about the low wages and the poor working conditions will make you think twice before purchasing such beads or taking part in such festivities in the future?
Gavin
Just like your secondhand clothing being used in other ways than you originally, how do you think people view their garbage when they put it out to be disposed of? Do you think the upper class realize that their "worthless" garbage is being used by so many people around the country? How do you think that these people could help the lower classes if their lives are structured around scavenging?
Ian
How does the collection of the paper relate to the Salaula's? Once the paper reaches the paper company its totally anonymous. But has it changed meaning? One person's trash is another person's trash I guess.
Stacey
Even after watching Cartoneros, I still don't understand why some people think that the cartoneros are bad, that they should go to jail, and are even considered beggers. I get that it can be annoying if you work some place that uses cardboard and after a long day you have "scanvengers" waiting outside but why is it a problem?
Amanda P.
This film is a great example of actual cultural material being passed from one set of hands to another within a county. Is this transfer from one economic group to another within the same country maximizing or minimizing internal difference? Is it a unique way to increase sustainability by providing needed "jobs" for those who need the money, or is this just another example of the rich fighting the poor?
L.B.
Does making art from the scraps and trash found on the street glorify the cartoneros in some way? Does this hurt their or help social standing?
Hannah
How do the cartoneros of buenos aires compare to can collectors in america? is it a similar way to make a living? has capitalism made it easier or harder for can collectors in america to make a living?
Ian
What do we do with the binary established in the movie, where there's no wealth there's no trash?
Julie
The cartoneros have created a system comprised largely of people working as individuals that works and has virtually no government involvement. In fact, when the government tries to get involved, the cartoneros feel they would ruin everything. Do you feel that governments are necessary for countries to function in a broader sense, or do you think they make things worse?