The world cup started a couple days ago. As we've already seen, and this is just an observation, the world is pushing it's values on Qatar. There was bound to be some friction. Qatar is an authoritarian, highly-conservative, Muslim country where you can face years in prison for committing homosexual acts. Alcohol was announced to be illegal several days before the first whistle, and women aren't allowed to wear really any kind of clothing that shows skin. The visitors and press are also EXTREMELY cordoned off from the native population in Qatar, where no one is able to go out and speak with locals unless the locals are also in the stadiums. If a Qatari made it into the stadium, chances are they're a little higher on the economic totem pole in their country.
So far we've seen fans have their rainbow hats and arm bands taken, the Prime Minister of Denmark was wearing a rainbow, the English and Welsh teams took a knee in solidarity against discrimination, and a man even walked 7 miles to have a pint of beer. Because FIFA was bribed (proof) to have the world cup in an authoritarian middle eastern country, we've seen cultures clash. A conversation is starting among people who know the score. Do we 'respect' cultures that don't value the same human rights? Are we equal?
For example: Is their hatred of homosexuality -as valid of a cultural value- as our acceptance of them?
In Mexico, I myself am in a nation where the social code of "Machismo" can be a part of the social and economic roles of men and women in Latin America. How do I deal with these differences when I see them?
Are these 'Western' Values?
I stray from using the word "western" values because human rights such as the acceptance of homosexuality and equality of women is not a uniquely European and North American value. Democracies tend to have freer societies when all people are represented, or at the very least, the needle points that way.
Latin America could be seen as a spin-off reboot of The West. It hardly compares to the West's economic status, but democracies here have been more stable since the Cold War ended, and women here have far more rights than those in more authoritarian nations of the Middle East.
This also goes for Asian democracies such as India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan for example- even if human rights there aren't exactly equal, they are much farther ahead than authoritarian regimes.
Philosophical debates on rights
So that begs the question, are my values on human rights -as valid- as the lack of human rights in other nations? What about when I travel? While I'm here in Latin America, if I face discrimination, is it on me to say something or stand up for human rights?
This exact question was the top of debate on an episode of "Adventure Rider Radio" an adventure motorcycle podcast I listen to. The podcast is a panel of the most experienced long-distance motorcycle riders in the Anglosphere. They have 2 men from England, 2 men from Canada, a married couple from Australia, and a woman from Sturgis, SD. They've been all around the world. Some of them were riding back in the 80s and 90s when the world was less stable, infrastructure for credit cards was much more scarce, and the internet had not yet existed. These people have been through the 'Stans of central Asia, throughout Africa, and even the same Pan-American trip I've been on. They're VERY experienced.
Eating Dog
When an episode had a topic on cultural differences, they discussed many examples that came up such as cultures that eat dogs. The woman from Australia, who self-admittedly is much more righteous, explained that as a tourist, she would lambast street vendors who sell dog meat. She believes that more tourists that show up to NOT eat dog and shame vendors may change their attitudes. The panel was mixed and skeptical.
Nazis
One of the Brits on the show was offered to have dinner and stay at the house of a man in South Africa. The Brit was travelling there with his girlfriend and they were having a good time in their home. Then, after some talking, he showed them a tour of the house which lead into the basement. In the basement was a massive trove of Nazi regalia, including uniforms, medals, books, and other artifacts of German national-socialism. The host's demeanor then changed, and he started spewing nationalistic values such as eugenics and antisemitism.
What do you do in that situation? Do you continue to sleep under their roof knowing that they're a Nazi? Again, are their 'values on human rights' AS VALID as someone who is more accepting?
In that situation, the Brit said that when the host got to tending to other things in the household the two of them left without saying a word. They hopped on their motorcycles and left town. He said there was nothing they could have said out of courtesy that would've defused a potential conflict scenario so they completely bailed on him. They'd rather find another place to sleep at sundown than endure that overnight stay. I like to think I would too.
Watching hate in real time
The host of the podcast then brought forward a human rights scenario. What if you saw an infraction on someone's human rights happen right in front of you? What if you saw a women being beaten, or a homosexual being attacked in public? Is it our place to do anything? Who are we to push our values on others? The Aussie woman argued that it's always worth it to stand up for the right thing. Is it possible that it could put you in danger to stand up for what you think is right?
Essentially, should we Rock the Boat?
What about Latin America?
I've noticed a few things about Latin America that stand out as culturally different. When you find yourself in a situation where you are faced with one of those special little differences, you have to remember that few people around you have probably ran into the situation.
Most people, even where I live, have not travelled the world and lived with locals there. Most people haven't been faced with the differences that I'm facing. Even if you've cruise-shipped or backpacked around the world and stayed in hostel after resort after cabin-- there's still a chance that you had NOT stayed with single local to get an authentic on-the-ground experience in a nation. It's absolutely possible to travel and have those opportunities slip by or never present themselves.
Here in Mexico I'm already seeing the same differences I've ran into before. Much of them are quite minor, to be fair. Some even aim in the direction of -more accepting- than my own culture. In the next Vallarta Diary entry, I'll be posting some cultural differences I've come across in Latin America.
-JT
11/22/2022