Comments on: Justifying American Ethnocentrism http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/ Mark Jaquith's blog about capitalism, freedom, WordPress, the web, and personal topics Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:11:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Understand What You Consume | My Blog http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-756210 Understand What You Consume | My Blog Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:50:25 +0000 //?p=#comment-756210 [...] and what people will take from particular media texts. rI feel that the United States is very ethnocentrically formed, due to the fact that we have a choice and freedom unlike other countries around the world. [...] [...] and what people will take from particular media texts. rI feel that the United States is very ethnocentrically formed, due to the fact that we have a choice and freedom unlike other countries around the world. [...]

]]> By: Jennifer http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-752871 Jennifer Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:51:18 +0000 //?p=#comment-752871 I am American and although I despise the term, ethnocentric, I must say that I am guilty. Yes, guilty. Everyone is to some degree. Ethnocentrism means the passing of judgement on peoples with different styles of living through the lens of their own culture. We make generalizations and misunderstandings of the meanings of others' actions based on our own preferences. The doctrine created in response to ethnocentrism is not multiculturalism, rather cultural relativism, coined by Franz Boas in response to anti-semitism and popularized between the first and second World Wars. The author fails to distinguish the differences of moral relativism and cultural relativism. The individual can choose his/her own moral standards, but cultural relativism requires one to learn how people live life differently, not from a limited view of the author's, who is wrapped up in Imperialism. How can anyone say their system is the best when there is no equality, and other systems are automatically rejected without investigation? That is the idea of cultural relativism, investigation of differences. As the greatest of Philosophers have taught us, "Democracy [ultimately] leads to tyranny." "Democracy is 51% of the people taking away the rights of the other 49%." "Democracy is a mobacracy." This definition of Demcracy was changed when FDR was president. He erased that definition and changed it to the current belief of the term. Not everyone agrees that their rights should be taken away, nor should they be chastised for not seeing it your way, Mark. You are not the center of the World. There are almost 7 billion people on this planet, and a world government of democracy will only end in conflict and war. I am American and although I despise the term, ethnocentric, I must say that I am guilty. Yes, guilty. Everyone is to some degree. Ethnocentrism means the passing of judgement on peoples with different styles of living through the lens of their own culture. We make generalizations and misunderstandings of the meanings of others’ actions based on our own preferences. The doctrine created in response to ethnocentrism is not multiculturalism, rather cultural relativism, coined by Franz Boas in response to anti-semitism and popularized between the first and second World Wars. The author fails to distinguish the differences of moral relativism and cultural relativism. The individual can choose his/her own moral standards, but cultural relativism requires one to learn how people live life differently, not from a limited view of the author’s, who is wrapped up in Imperialism. How can anyone say their system is the best when there is no equality, and other systems are automatically rejected without investigation? That is the idea of cultural relativism, investigation of differences. As the greatest of Philosophers have taught us, “Democracy [ultimately] leads to tyranny.” “Democracy is 51% of the people taking away the rights of the other 49%.” “Democracy is a mobacracy.” This definition of Demcracy was changed when FDR was president. He erased that definition and changed it to the current belief of the term. Not everyone agrees that their rights should be taken away, nor should they be chastised for not seeing it your way, Mark. You are not the center of the World. There are almost 7 billion people on this planet, and a world government of democracy will only end in conflict and war.

]]> By: Linda Hopkins http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-750997 Linda Hopkins Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:47:20 +0000 //?p=#comment-750997 I agree with you what a person believe is what a person believes even if they are wrong I agree with you what a person believe is what a person believes even if they are wrong

]]> By: L.O.S http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-749765 L.O.S Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:08:25 +0000 //?p=#comment-749765 What a terrible thing, that forced female mutilation. Sounds familiar, hmm....kinda like forced male genital mutilation which happens more often than not in your beloved U.S. of A. You fail, fail, fail. What a terrible thing, that forced female mutilation. Sounds familiar, hmm….kinda like forced male genital mutilation which happens more often than not in your beloved U.S. of A.

You fail, fail, fail.

]]> By: S. Jennings http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-647195 S. Jennings Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:16:52 +0000 //?p=#comment-647195 The defining characteristic of the US is ethnocentrism. Note that I didn't use the term "America" - it being really a geographic term. Using that term by the US in itself is ethnocentric. Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, et cetera, are as American as is the US. The defining characteristic of the US is ethnocentrism. Note that I didn’t use the term “America” – it being really a geographic term. Using that term by the US in itself is ethnocentric. Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, et cetera, are as American as is the US.

]]> By: Bob vde http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-646139 Bob vde Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:53:44 +0000 //?p=#comment-646139 Dont ever be ethnocentric… What?! Ethnocentric… Well ladies and gents, this word is one of the basic reasons behind every war and conflict in human history! It briefly means that one sees the world only from ones own culturally point of view and believe others should do the same. Other people in the world does not view on issues as you do my friend… no they see it differently. And so the best way of solving any kind of disagreement, is by first trying to understand how the other part sees upon the issue, and why he or she does not agree with you, and obviously ask them to do the same. After this is done, it is so much easier uniting and reaching to wise conclusions. But nooo, I am right, I have principals, this is not discusable, I do what I think is right…. I am ethnocentric! Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing bad about striving for justice, but do understand that other people who are going in the opposite direction are many times doing what they truthfully believe is right as well. Just to name an example; I am christian and with this comes certain values in my life. Then there are people who truly are Muslim believers (who knows, they might be stronger in their faith than me!) and they have a different set of values. Now if I tell them: Man, you are just dead wrong! They will tell me exactly the same thing!… leading to nothing but more frustration and the mere obsession of winning the argument. However would I choose to see/understand it from their point of view… maybe it would change from a discussion to a conversation and later on to a fika (swedish coffey-time). 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. The greatest anthropologist of all time was probably Jesus himself, He became man, grew a beard, had to eat, couldn’t just fly around, got a favorite colour, had to use sandals and became generally vulnerable and limited and went through so many human-culturally things that he actually can tell you like: ‘ey dude, I know what its like!… so peace out bro’ Dont ever be ethnocentric… What?!

Ethnocentric… Well ladies and gents, this word is one of the basic reasons behind every war and conflict in human history! It briefly means that one sees the world only from ones own culturally point of view and believe others should do the same.

Other people in the world does not view on issues as you do my friend… no they see it differently. And so the best way of solving any kind of disagreement, is by first trying to understand how the other part sees upon the issue, and why he or she does not agree with you, and obviously ask them to do the same. After this is done, it is so much easier uniting and reaching to wise conclusions.

But nooo, I am right, I have principals, this is not discusable, I do what I think is right…. I am ethnocentric! Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing bad about striving for justice, but do understand that other people who are going in the opposite direction are many times doing what they truthfully believe is right as well.

Just to name an example; I am christian and with this comes certain values in my life. Then there are people who truly are Muslim believers (who knows, they might be stronger in their faith than me!) and they have a different set of values. Now if I tell them: Man, you are just dead wrong! They will tell me exactly the same thing!… leading to nothing but more frustration and the mere obsession of winning the argument. However would I choose to see/understand it from their point of view… maybe it would change from a discussion to a conversation and later on to a fika (swedish coffey-time).

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The greatest anthropologist of all time was probably Jesus himself, He became man, grew a beard, had to eat, couldn’t just fly around, got a favorite colour, had to use sandals and became generally vulnerable and limited and went through so many human-culturally things that he actually can tell you like:

‘ey dude, I know what its like!… so peace out bro’

]]> By: Matthew Godin http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-642862 Matthew Godin Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:58:26 +0000 //?p=#comment-642862 I agree with this article is some ways that America is ethnocentric. As a Canadian man who has lived in America for little over 6 years I think that America does posses the qualities of a ethnocentric system, but it has also made this country arrogant(especially this article). American is "the land of the free" but there are many other countries that are free and allow there people to do what they want. Which most Americans choose to ignore or forget because that would impeded on Americas status of number one. The best example of Americas ethnocentric views is when people say “America is the best country in the world", especially when they haven't ever left the shores of this country. How are you supposed to know what the best country is when you’ve never been to any other except the one that tells you there the best, and never show anything on the news about any other country unless it has to do with war or death. I do believe though that America is truly the land of the free, we are an ethnocentric peoples, but I don’t agree with the article because we also are multicultural, we just don’t know how to balance the two. I agree with this article is some ways that America is ethnocentric. As a Canadian man who has lived in America for little over 6 years I think that America does posses the qualities of a ethnocentric system, but it has also made this country arrogant(especially this article). American is “the land of the free” but there are many other countries that are free and allow there people to do what they want. Which most Americans choose to ignore or forget because that would impeded on Americas status of number one. The best example of Americas ethnocentric views is when people say “America is the best country in the world”, especially when they haven’t ever left the shores of this country. How are you supposed to know what the best country is when you’ve never been to any other except the one that tells you there the best, and never show anything on the news about any other country unless it has to do with war or death. I do believe though that America is truly the land of the free, we are an ethnocentric peoples, but I don’t agree with the article because we also are multicultural, we just don’t know how to balance the two.

]]> By: James http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-638540 James Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:54:07 +0000 //?p=#comment-638540 This nationalistic rant doesn't justify anything. If anything, it just exposes your belief that your belief in your national superiority is in some way a explaination for your narrowmindness. This nationalistic rant doesn’t justify anything. If anything, it just exposes your belief that your belief in your national superiority is in some way a explaination for your narrowmindness.

]]> By: krista http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-632287 krista Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:14:06 +0000 //?p=#comment-632287 After being labeled ethnocentric today in my sociology class, I was, at first, offended. The term seems negative and is implied as such. Through further research and understanding, and maybe pure justification, I believe that the evolvement of human kind and even the world, relys on the advancement of what is, plainly speaking, better. Since the assumed beginning of the universe, life has evolved. Meanwhile, metaphorically speaking, the hard-headed tradionalists held on to the belief of 'it is what it is, why change?' Eventually, they jumped off the advancement bus. This relates to animals, tribes, religons, and much more. To deny the degree of benefits something has is to deny truth and slow progression. Lately I have been hearing alot about a 'shift in consciousness'. Maybe (hopefully), this is true. However, simply the thought of this possiblity rests on the idea of ethnocentrism. Like it or not, there IS a better way. After being labeled ethnocentric today in my sociology class, I was, at first, offended. The term seems negative and is implied as such. Through further research and understanding, and maybe pure justification, I believe that the evolvement of human kind and even the world, relys on the advancement of what is, plainly speaking, better. Since the assumed beginning of the universe, life has evolved. Meanwhile, metaphorically speaking, the hard-headed tradionalists held on to the belief of ‘it is what it is, why change?’ Eventually, they jumped off the advancement bus. This relates to animals, tribes, religons, and much more. To deny the degree of benefits something has is to deny truth and slow progression.
Lately I have been hearing alot about a ‘shift in consciousness’. Maybe (hopefully), this is true. However, simply the thought of this possiblity rests on the idea of ethnocentrism.
Like it or not, there IS a better way.

]]> By: heather fuller http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-562590 heather fuller Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:23:57 +0000 //?p=#comment-562590 i love this article is freakn rockin dude - i love this article is freakn rockin dude -

]]> By: Examples Of Ethnocentrism - Dogpile Web Search http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-382949 Examples Of Ethnocentrism - Dogpile Web Search Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:03:42 +0000 //?p=#comment-382949 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] education.crs.org/resources/window_into_afghanista... [Found on Google, Yahoo! Search] 11. Justifying American Ethnocentrism [ Tempus Fugit | TxFx.net ] I would like to provide you with an example to underline my point (and in the process, bring out [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%--> [...] education.crs.org/resources/window_into_afghanista… [Found on Google, Yahoo! Search] 11. Justifying American Ethnocentrism [ Tempus Fugit | TxFx.net ] I would like to provide you with an example to underline my point (and in the process, bring out [...]

]]> By: Tasha Franklin http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-359665 Tasha Franklin Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:35:39 +0000 //?p=#comment-359665 I agree with the author on being enthnocenttism. I believe that a person that believe in his nationality or race promotes self-awareness and self esteem. I believe that you must have a profound and concrete history of who you are and ethnocentrism instill these values. Aside from that I believe that respect for other cultures is also essential. But that the belief that ones nationality is superior to others is not wrong this is my belief. I agree with the author on being enthnocenttism. I believe that a person that believe in his nationality or race promotes self-awareness and self esteem. I believe that you must have a profound and concrete history of who you are and ethnocentrism instill these values. Aside from that I believe that respect for other cultures is also essential. But that the belief that ones nationality is superior to others is not wrong this is my belief.

]]> By: Deondra' Horton http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-352490 Deondra' Horton Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:08:20 +0000 //?p=#comment-352490 I strongly disagree with the authors view point that ethnocentrism is better or more viable then multiculturism. America is one of the most diverse and multicultural places on Earth. We live in a day and age where globilization is a must. Instead of taking so much pride into ones "self", we should be progressive human beings who are willing to learn and benefit from other cultures. I strongly disagree with the authors view point that ethnocentrism is better or more viable then multiculturism. America is one of the most diverse and multicultural places on Earth. We live in a day and age where globilization is a must. Instead of taking so much pride into ones “self”, we should be progressive human beings who are willing to learn and benefit from other cultures.

]]> By: Mistie McDaniel http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-351714 Mistie McDaniel Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:57:33 +0000 //?p=#comment-351714 I believe that we all judge people by their beliefs even if it is wrong. if you believed a certain thing and someone walked up to you and tried to convince you other wise you are going to judge that person. its human nature to do it even though it is wrong. I believe that we all judge people by their beliefs even if it is wrong. if you believed a certain thing and someone walked up to you and tried to convince you other wise you are going to judge that person. its human nature to do it even though it is wrong.

]]> By: Aaron http://txfx.net/2004/04/19/justifying-american-ethnocentrism/comment-page-1/#comment-349949 Aaron Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:26:43 +0000 //?p=#comment-349949 I think that every body in the world has a flaw, there are too many people in the world to worry about what others think of you. Do what makes you happy and dont have such a stern set on everything in life. In every religious system, or belief that someone has may not be the same beliefs you have, but that does not make them an evil person. its just a matter of opinion. If everyone had as much respect for themselves as they do others, I think the world would not be so divided and corrupt as it is today I think that every body in the world has a flaw, there are too many people in the world to worry about what others think of you. Do what makes you happy and dont have such a stern set on everything in life. In every religious system, or belief that someone has may not be the same beliefs you have, but that does not make them an evil person. its just a matter of opinion. If everyone had as much respect for themselves as they do others, I think the world would not be so divided and corrupt as it is today

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