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How Ethnocentrism In Culture Being Observed In United State Of America
Essay of ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism and culture ethnocentrism
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Most Americans view any culture that is less privileged as inferior. United States citizens are very ignorant to other ways of life. Instead of taking time to understand them, they form inaccurate
But, also the idea that Americans can be oblivious to the seriousness of the hypocrisy of certain situations. There is no culture, like that of the American
Ethnocentrism is a situation whereby a group has a belief that their culture is more superior as well as desirable in comparison to other cultures. In Avatar, the humans have an assumption that they have dominance and are superior to the Na’vi tribe. The humans express their dominance by an attack and destruction of the Na’vi tribe’s home tree. The humans are of the opinion that they should educate the Na’vi tribe in the human ways since they consider their ways to be better.
If there was an open market for drugs and Americans’ were educated on the effects drugs can have on their bodies, the monopoly for drugs would rapidly decrease. Drugs are outlawed in America yet prohibition has never been successful in America. Anytime the government has tried to stop the distribution of a substance people have always jumped at the chance to make
(John) Ethnocentrism “the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture”. In Lehman’s terms, it means you think that you and your culture is the best purely by inheritance. In America we have strong ties to ethnocentrism, from the occasional yelling of “Merica”, or the common ideology in the south that we are the greatest people to exist. Ethnocentrism has easily effected many people I’ve personally seen it expressed, seen how others react, and what it makes people think of others.
The first instance I can think of when the subject of ethnocentrism is brought up about the US is how Americans generally belive that this is the greatest country in the world. We(Americans) tend to think that we are the best in everything just because we are American and if we lack in a certain area, we say that it was due to us not "caring." Another example of ethocentrism that is seen in the US is men not wanting women in certain areas of the work place, particularly where it is expected for men to work exclusively. Some American men, look at women more as subordinates instead of equals. My last example of ethnocentism is seen when in the low ranks of students in school.
The phrase “melting pot” was originally used in the 18th century to describe how people from varies of region gave up their original cultures, backgrounds or races and combined them into a common identity. Although this term was created to emphasize the future unification of immigrants in America, this process of “melting into one” could also seem as forcing others forget their own culture and fit them within the new American culture. In the reading “Trans-National America,” the Randolph used the events during the WWI to explain the idea of “melting pot” was still hard to reach. In his second paragraph, he described how people still had their nationalistic feelings within them and would keep them even it was during the war period by stating
1) From personal knowledge, I am aware that throughout history culture has changed overtime and is still developing as we speak. Much like the fifth definition in the book, I believe that culture can be described as the tensions or adjustments between shared and unshared groups of people throughout time ( Martin,P. 89). For example, American culture has altered so much over the years, we went from a country that had laws that deliberately caused injustice and discrimination towards a selective groups of people ( slavery , Jim Crow laws, Women’s suffrage, and same- sex marriage) to a more progressive nation that is implementing acceptance that will impact the world for the better in the future to
In today’s society drugs are seen is bad and un-ethical. However, it is just the perspective on how everyone views society. If we are told something is wrong, and see someone doing it, you are more likely to be the one to “point the finger.” Yes, drug legalization sounds horrible and of course it would be considered un-ethical but this is what we need to change.
Where these culturally sensitive people reside, there isn’t enough effort being put into making them feel at home. Instead these efforts are being exerted to make them feel out of place. In 2012 Wu, Schimmele, and Hou, social researchers at University of Victoria stated that, “In 2002, about one in five racial minorities reported experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment” (p. 387) One in five, that is quite a few. Still to this day prejudice and discrimination are major issues at hand.
Accordingly, the ideals of America used to be we were many ethnicities, all blended into one, but now we are a bunch of discordant ethnicities living in one country under one name just with different groups. Two essays on this topic are A Quilt of a Country by Anna Quindlen and The Immigrant Contribution by John F. Kennedy. JFK regarded that “everybody is an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant” (JFK page 23). Quindlen characterized that “America was held together by a notion that all men are created equal and that America is made up of bits and pieces” (Quindlen page 13-14). America transpired a unique nation made up of different parts.
I definitely believe that feelings of ethnocentricity and xenocenticity are more prevalent in U.S. culture. Just from the definitions of ethnocentrism and xenocentrism I can see relevance to U.S. culture and make connections as to reasons why. I believe the U.S. adapts many cultures, but still finds ways to assess other cultures in comparison to our own. I believe we fall short in the ability to evaluate a culture by its own standards. This creates an issue because individuals are constantly clouded by their own norms that it becomes difficult to view any values or beliefs with an open mind.
Culture is easily influenced and is constantly shifting as it passes through various racial and ethnic interactions and exchanges. “With your liberal minds, you patronize our culture, scanning the surface like vultures, with your tourist mentality, we’re still the natives. You’re multicultural, but we’re anti-racist. We ain’t ethnic, exotic or eclectic” (Prashad, 56). This refers to when cultures are commodified and picked apart without taking both the negatives with the perceived positives.
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's world view is superior to another's, usually from another part of the world, who have a different culture, races, and ethics. This disposition has been a problem among people who believe themselves to be more 'civilized' for many, many years. In the years of imperialism, Britain, France, other European nations, and even America began expanding their territory to other countries in the 19th century on the belief that it was their duty to better inferior people with 1st world culture and societal ways. Even after imperialism, ethnocentricity has unfortunately persisted to the modern day. Even though people in America strive to not be ethnocentric, remnants of it can still be seen in the media, including
American History Education Reforms The definition as well as the specific parts of accurate American history is a highly debated topic- especially in regards to educating children on American history. In “Let’s tell the Story of All America’s Cultures” by Yuh Ji-Yeon gives her point of view on the controversial topic of the success of American history education. As the author is a Korean immigrant she has a special connection to this topic, and is writing this article to giver her opinion in the debate of reforming education in America. Ji-Yeon successfully persuades the audience that American history education in the United States is discriminatory by using her personal experiences and emotions as she informs the audience of a possible solution
