Why 'Go Global or Go Home'

by Reza Corinne Clifton

'Go Global or Go Home' was my theme on April 25, but was it a political statement or economic slogan as some interpreted?

KINGSTON, RI - It was a long, cold voyage, but my partner and I finally picked up cable several months ago after at least 4 years without it. Now, before you judge and deem me as a pure consumer-capitalist, let me explain it, briefly: I was sick of going to journalism conferences not necessarily aware of each minute aspect of every major news item of the day or recent past (oh no!!!). Now of course that's not the worst area in which to have a deficiency...unless you're trying to make it out here calling yourself a journalist.

On the other hand, and to open up the flood gates of finger-pointing, typecasting, and ridicule, one of my nonnegotiables if we were going to finally agree to cable was that we had to include movie channels. But how would the content of HBO or Showtime help me with the conference issue the way programming on BBC or CNN would? I'll clear it up right away: That wasn't the point; I just wanted some fun. More than that, though, I've received inspiration for my Venus Sings slots on Voices of Women, a show that airs weekly on WRIU (90.3 FM in and around RI or at www.wriu.org) from 9-11 AM (EST) on Saturdays.

With respect to what it is inspiring me, I have to give credit to HBO in particular, for they've got me hooked like stolen fish on not one, but two series: 'The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' and 'Alice.' Both shows are set outside of the U.S., with Detective Agency (we'll call it for short) based on characters, storylines, and the cultural nuances of Botswana - a small country in the Southern region of Africa - while Alice is based on the adventures of a woman who has recently moved to Sao Paolo, Brazil. Alice, by the way, mainly airs on HBO Latinoamerica.

Besides playing into the part of me that holds a fondness for studying and analyzing different cultures and people, I'm drawn into the two programs by the independent, adventurous, multifaceted protagonists in each show - women who take chances, listen internally, and embrace and walk the uneven road of change.

And perhaps it is because of the intersection that currently joins my career and sense of self - or maybe it's just good programming - but watching, I often end up feeling that their experiments are my experiments; their mishaps are my mishaps; their small successes are my small successes...And their music is my music.

So no, Go Global or Go Home was not a political statement or slogan, at least not this time. It was a shout-out to my two new favorite shows, and to everyone who feels connected to the world - through music.

Sunshine and Laughter,
Reza Rites