Ethnocentrism is a sociological term developed by Austrian sociologist Ludwig Gumplowicz. This term explores how people view other (or foreign) cultures.
What is ethnocentrism?
This was a term that I first learned about in one of my sociology classes back in college.
Its definition, according to Dictionary.com, is the belief that one’s own culture is superior or dominant to others.
It also describes a tendency that people often view other people’s cultures through their own cultural lens.
I have this friend.
He is a patriotic Chinese person and he believes that his culture is the best. He believes that all East Asian people are descendants of China, thus making China the dominant nation (and culture).
However, there isn’t much information or facts that back this up, except for ancient Chinese tales and myths.
But because he holds this belief, he is practicing ethnocentrism.
I also remember reading this one article that talked about eating etiquette in various countries.
As I was reading through it, I can remember being grossed out by some of the ways that people eat.
But this was just me viewing these foreign cultures through my own cultural lens.
This was me exercising ethnocentrism.
But when does ethnocentrism become dangerous?
I believe it becomes dangerous when people act upon their beliefs.
When someone takes their bigoted beliefs and starts a rally to change Civil Rights policy or when they start to physically hurt people.
That’s when it becomes dangerous.
Or when politicians start to tear families apart and punish innocent people because they believe their culture is superior.
So how do we prevent this?
Well, it can’t be completely prevented.
There will always be people who view their ethnicity as more dominant than others.
But what we can do, I believe, is ease the negative beliefs.
We have to start teaching kids that all humans are the same. Even though there may be segments of bad people in every ethnicity, overall, all humans are pretty awesome.
Conclusion
Have you ever noticed yourself viewing other ethnicities or cultures as lesser than yours?
Or have you ever noticed yourself being weirded out by other cultures’ practices?