Ethnocentrism



Personal History3

Relationships With Others4

Respond6

Ethnocentrism

Personal History

When I started writing this journal and observing people, I realized that ethnocentrism painfully exists in our everyday lives. People judge other people's color, race, religion, belief, fashion, diet, and just about everything that is different from their own reality. Somehow, this belief of one group, one idea, one faith, or one kind of lifestyle develops a fraternal bond with those whom we see akin to us. However, wars, crimes, and racism emerge from issues of alienation, ostracism, autonomy, and similar forms that manifest desire to be separated, independent, or even simply assertive. However Plato said that" knowledge does not reside in the impressions, but in our reflection upon them". My interpretation of this statement is that when we are ethnocentric, we have a limited view of things around us. Criticizing seems inherent in us even if we don't fully understand the things that we object to (Johnson, 2001).

A strong example of ethnocentrism that I would like to discuss is the incident when my Aunt Chris states "Jehovah Witness are more truthful in their sermons then other religions". That was a very blatant statement of faith without total regard to the feelings and beliefs of others. My grandmother, a Baptist, didn't comment on that remark but I believe it left a bad taste in the mouth. Nevertheless, I do respect my aunt's opinion even If disagree with it. It is important to practice tolerance so as to peacefully co-exist. In the Declaration on the Principles of Tolerance, UNESCO stated that "Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human". Ironically in history, religious tolerance was practiced by Muslim empires to people who practiced different forms of religion, especially the Jews. Although my aunt's beliefs were steadfast, it was grounded on beliefs that are assumptions that needs disproved. In the first place, nobody knows what religion tells the truth. In case there is a truth, what kind of truth would that be? Her values were formed by the religion that she advocated (Pai, 2001). Obviously, she valued the truth; unfortunately, that truth is contained within the circle of her belief. Her own belief system ( Jehovah's Witness ) created a truth. In one way or another, this belief would set norms that its members must practice. Looking within myself, I tried to evaluate ...