EthnocentrismKenya SmithGENE 100-06

Dr. Margaret Fletcher

What is Ethnocentrism?o “having or based on the idea that your own group or culture is better or more important

than others” (Merriam-Webster)o Existed since biblical times: Jews v. Gentiles Example: (Acts 15)o Issue that we tend to dance around or ignore, due to the fact we don’t want to argue,

offend people, or because we are just unaware.o Can lead to poverty, violence, immorality, low-self esteem, self-hatred, compulsion of being

accepted, high death rates in certain ethnic groups, negative events in life, destruction of community

o Examples: Indirect: employers not hiring people due to the type of ethnic dress or hairstyle, definition of beauty=

straight hair, light skin, pointy nose, harsher punishments for certain ethnic groups Direct: racial slurs, propaganda, dirty stares, bullying, death threats, businesses that refuse to serve certain

people because of ethnicity, and hate mail

Groups that Practice EthnocentrismoKu Klux KlanoNational Socialist Party (A.K.A the Nazi party)oNeo-NazisoNeo-ConfederatesoChristian IdentityoNation of IslamoNew Black Panther Party

Viewpoints

Biblical Standpointo God created humans in His own image. “ Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our own likeness; let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1: 26-27 New King James Version)

o God is universal. (Deuteronomy 10:17 & Galatians 3:28)o All people have sinned and fallen short in the glory of

God. (Romans 3:23)o God loves humanity so much He sent Jesus to die for

everyone’s sins. (John 3:16)o Adding to or subtracting things from God’s word can and

will lead to serious consequences (Revelation 22:18-19)

Justifications & Excuses for Ethnocentrism

o Science: “the missing link” between humans and apes

oBible: Story of Noah and his son Hamo Fear of ethnic extinctionoMedia and T.V. o Influences from friends or family

Here are My Thoughtso All ethnicities are beautiful and equal, and God created us in his own image.o We should be proud of our ethnicities, but not to the point where we feel superior to other

ethnic groups.o We should

try to inform ourselves about other cultures and ethnicitiesembrace the positive side of different ethnicities get to know different people from different backgrounds (result: debunk stereotypes)Love one another regardless of differences, because Jesus loved us first. (John 13:34-35)

o It’s okay to enjoy something that is not part of your ethnicity (music, dress, dance, etc.) unless it contradicts with Christianity or causes harm to yourself and other people.

Music VideosIndia.Arie- Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq86e4Fhja0India.Arie- I am not my hair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_5jIt0f5Z4

Work CitedoThe Holy Bible: New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Inc., 1982. Print.o"Ethnocentric." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnocentric>.