Ethnocentrism

(Evans, 2011)

I feel that an increasingly important theme in the world is ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the belief that your group (country, ethnic group) is better than all of the other. People who are ethnocentric are not able to understand the actions of people from other cultures and look negatively upon them. This, I feel, has become more important in the years following the events of September 11th, because of the group-hate that was felt by the majority of Americans for not just a whole country, but for a whole "ethnic-group". These feelings of unease, dislike and hatred have always been present in the culture, as is shown in the popular culture, but with the terrorist attacks on September 11th those feelings escalated to dangerous levels. Levels that allowed America to go to war.

An interesting post from the posts about Ethnocentrism and Patriotism came from Nathaniel Kite:

Patriotism and ethnocentrism could be related but not in a direct way. Patriotism, or a love or devotion to your country can always be taken to far, to the point where our country is “number one” and all others are viewed as less. This attitude can lead to ethnocentrism, or the habit of seeing things only from the point of view of one’s own group, or basically being narrow minded and closed off from other people’s views and ideas. I think patriotism is great, no matter where you live. Being proud of your country, home and yourself is the basis for a great life. With that being said, the ability to remember other people’s cultures, beliefs, religions and so on, is just as important. If we all take pride in what we consider ours, without trying to put down or take away from others, than yes patriotism and ethnocentrism can be related, not equal or deemed partners in any way, just slightly related. (Kite, 2012)

I agree that patriotism and ethnocentrism are related but are not "partners" as Mr. Kite put it. Patriotism is the love and pride in one's country, while ethnocentrism has more to do with nationalism--feelings that your country is the best and the only one who could be the best. These feelings make other out-groups into enemies. 

An article I found about Ethnocentrism examines America after the happenings of September 11th 2001. In Terror and Ethnocentrism: Foundations of American Support for the War on Terrorism Kam examines the strong ethnocentric turn of mind taken by the American population after the terrorist attack of September 11th. Feelings of ethnocentrism are always present amongst the majority of Americans, but it is only when the "right" circumstances come about, that those feelings become strong enough to affect policy. 

Terror and Ethnocentrism

In the article Sowing Patriotism, but Reaping Nationalism? Consequences of Exposure to the American Flag the author examines the effects of the American flag upon Americans. The purpose of the flag is to raise patriotic sentiments, but it is proven that the flag does not increase the "love and commitment to one's country" (Kemmelmeier, 2008), but rather increases ethnocentric and nationalistic feelings. 

Sowing Patriotism, but Reaping Nationalism?

A video that displays patriotism in an extreme form is one from Stephen Colbert

Colbert: Patriotism

This site explains what ethnocentrism is, why it is a problem and how we can change that. It provides many real life examples and ways to stay open about other cultures and their beliefs. 

Ethnocentrism?

This link from the Carnegie Council further explains cultural relativism is and provides further links and information about and related to other topics that are related to ethnocentrism.

Carnegie Council: Cultural Relativism

The article over the Ghanian presidential election this year shows the importance of ethnic groups and how a prospective political leader can use rhetoric to garner support from groups that have a deeper emotional past. By manipulating ones speech one is able to play upon the emotions surrounding a historical prejudice.

Daily Guide: Ghana
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Barger, Ken. (2008, July 1). Ethnocentrism. [Website]. Retrieved from http://www.iupui.edu/~anthkb/ethnocen.htm

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. (2006, December 1). Cultural Relativism. [Website]. Retrieved from http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/education/001/terms/00001.html

Evans, Malcom. (2011). Male-Dominated Culture. [Cartoon]. Retrieved from http://www.evanscartoons.com/gallery.php?id=1

Kam, Cindy D. & Kinder, Donald R. (2007, May). Terror and Ethnocentrism: Foundations of American Support for the War on Terrorism. The Journal of Politics, Vol. 69, No. 2, pp. 320-338. Retrieved from http://ida.lib.uidaho.edu:3860/stable/pdfplus/4622538.pdf

Kemmelmeier, Markus & Winter, David G. (2008, December). Sowing Patriotism, but Reaping Nationalism? Consequences of Exposure to the American Flag. Political Psychology, Vol. 29, No. 6, pp. 859-879. Retrieved from: http://ida.lib.uidaho.edu:3860/stable/pdfplus/20447171.pdf

Takyi-Boadu, Charles. (2012, November 12). NPP Blasts Mahama Over Tribal Comments. Daily Guide. Retrieved from http://www.dailyguideghana.com/?p=66867

5 x Five - Colbert Report on America - Patriotism. (2012, July 2). [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/416072/july-02-2012/5-x-five---colbert-report-on-america---patriotism?xrs=share_copy