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American Morning

Pop Culture Invades Afghanistan

Aired May 28, 2002 - 09:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: In Afghanistan today, people are learning that America's strength goes way beyond high-tech weapons and well-trained troops.

Anderson Cooper is in Kabul, Afghanistan, where suddenly American culture is king.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Kabul is conservative; change here is slow. But eight months after the U.S. military arrived in Afghanistan, a new American invasion has begun.

Pop culture has come to Kabul. Irash's (ph) DVD store opened two months ago. "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars," those are our two most popular movies right now," the owner says. "Afghans like to watch fighting."

American movies forbidden by the Taliban are now all the rage. No romance, just action, blood, guts, and guns. Big stars with big muscles -- that's what young Afghans pay to see.

Seventeen-year-old Hatik (ph) watches American movies every night. He likes what he sees. "Americans are strong," he says. "They have broad shoulders, and they're tall."

In dark, dingy gyms, you'll find young Afghans pumping and pulling, trying to transform into an American ideal. It's not just with weights; it's also with language. Private English schools are expensive; the classrooms are packed.

Shoaib Sahiby teaches English, even though he is still in high school.

SHOAIB SAHIBY, ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR: I read lots of American books, and also I have seen lots of films too.

COOPER: He and his friends want things to change here much faster. America still seems a long way away.

(on camera): Do you hope Afghanistan becomes like America?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, why not?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why not?

COOPER (voice-over): In the markets, they shop for American clothing. They can't afford much, but they browse anyway.

(on camera): Under the Taliban, Western-style clothing, like T- shirts, was outlawed. But now American designer brand names are big here in Kabul. Afghans may not know who Tommy Hilfiger or Calvin Klein really are, but they know the names are from America. And right now, for many young Afghans, America is in style.

(voice-over): The clothes are all copies, the names often misspelled. Want some "Calvin Clein"? How about some "Tommy Highfiger"? Plenty of Afghans do.

SAHIBY: When I go to the market I choose the American jeans, American clothes. American clothes are very important in Kabul.

COOPER: Important to some, insulting to others. Many Afghans are unhappy with the arrival of American pop culture: "We should keep our own Afghan culture," this man says. "Those who take on Western culture are foolish."

Foolish it may be, but change here is coming. Ready or not, pop culture has arrived.

Anderson Cooper, CNN, Kabul, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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