What Is Ethnocentrism Essay Example

What Is Ethnocentrism Paper In America, the greatest supremacy of the world, we have the most advanced and sophisticated culture in history. The inferior British drive on the wrong side of the road, and Greeks reek of the scent of Garlic. Does garlic really smell bad? Maybe the right side is the wrong side of the road, and other countries may feel the same way about their culture as those Yankees feel about their USA. What do we call the sense of cultural superiority? Sociology has a term called ethnocentrism, which is defined as â€Å"the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of ones own culture† (about sociology). Many claim that ethnocentrism occurs in every society. The opposite of ethnocentrism is multiculturalism, which is the belief that all cultures are basically equal. Ethnocentricity is essentially a double-edged sword, and has been shown to be a powerful force that exhibits both positive and negative consequences inside a cultural group. There are three major causes of why ethnocentricity exists: individuals’ different life experiences, social and political power, and economic rationale. The truth is there is no one who can wholly abstain from being ethnocentric. Since it is impossible to experience the life situations of everyone in the world, we will always base some assumptions on life built from our existing finite life experience. It must also be noted that a worldview in which someone does not consider their view as the correct one, is inconsistent as it would be admitting falseness. In a social group or culture, ethnocentrism can produce a diligent, productive, and innovative society, while unchecked or distorted ethnocentrism can lead to racism, chaos, or war. Causal support for the existence of ethnocentrism can be found in the very definition of ethnocentricity itself, â€Å"characterized by or based on the attitude that ones own group is superior† (Merriam-Webster). The belief that one’s own group is better usually brings a sense of entitlement or power. Ethnocentrically based lust of power has created numerous instances of human rights violations, wars, racial conflicts, and colonization. The power struggle in the Darfur region of Sudan is a tragic example of ethnocentricity between two groups engaging in a civil war. We will write a custom essay sample on What Is Ethnocentrism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What Is Ethnocentrism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What Is Ethnocentrism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The battle between the totalitarian Muslim government and African rebel groups has left approximately 400,000 people dead, and millions displaced (Associated Press). The Sudanese government has been accused of supporting the Arab terrorist group Janjaweed commit genocide throughout the country with an aim to annihilate the African insurgent groups that want a larger share of influence in the Sudanese government. The ethnocentric view of national imperialism has greatly affected most developing nations around the earth. An illustration of imperialism would be the European nations’ colonization of Asian nations. After monopolizing many Asian countries resources by gaining control of their trading ports and routes, the Europeans impressed much of their cultural ideals on these nations. As a result, people living under the British came to adapt their culture to match the British perspective. The colonies’ commercial interests, education and other concepts revolved around the British. The same occurrence happened to colonies under the Dutch, French and Spanish too. 831 was the year that Alexis de Tocqueville coined the term American Exceptionalism, which refers to the belief that qualitatively the United States differs from other developed nations, on account of its unique credentials, origins, and political system. This national pride has helped the United States in the past, including declaring their independence from being a British colony, and winning the Revolutionary War. Abraham Lincoln had a pro American Exceptionalism outlook and said, â€Å"My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth. Critics of American Exceptionalism argue that the United States is not the only country founded as a republic with those ideals, and they feel that foreign policy has been economic self-interest than an actual desire to spread their ideals. A case for American Exceptionalism rationale can be made because of statistics that show that that the United States has the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any nation in the world at 14. 265 trillion dollars (worldsrichestcountries. com), and a Gallup poll states that Americans generally are happy,† More than 8 in 10 Americans say they are satisfied with their personal lives at this time. So while obviously there are many problems in the United States, American Exceptionalists have ethnocentric pride in their culture. Additionally, economic systems are reasons for ethnocentricity, whether it is socialism, capitalism, or communism. The majority of citizens that inhabit most socialist and capitalist countries believe that their system is better since they have not experienced living in a dissimilar economic environment. One needs to look no further than Korea for the occurrence of economic ethnocentrism. North Korea, one of the worlds most centrally directed and least open economies has a GDP of only 40 billion dollars according to the website CIA. gov. As a result of governmental control and lack of free enterprise, a large proportion of North Korean citizens suffer with poor living conditions and malnutrition which is a serious predicament. South of the border, South Korea has a more open economic policy and therefore has the 15th largest GDP in the world of 1. 364 trillion dollars. Ethnocentricity is inevitable; my very writing about the subject is from an ethnocentric point of view. Applied correctly, ethnocentrism produces a diligent, productive, and innovative society, while unchecked and perverted ethnocentrism is leading to many atrocities happening all around the world. Cultures must learn to embrace and accept other groups’ differences, and learn from the positive and useful aspects of other societies. An ethnocentric philosophy is necessary in order to recognize violations of basic human rights, and just like in science, grounded understandings are not developed from the complete absence of bias, but instead the recognition and control of biases.

Winter Holiday Activities for Grades 5-12

Winter Holiday Activities for Grades 5-12 How can teachers, especially in public schools, use the December holidays to their advantage? One way is to celebrate customs and holidays from around the world with students using a variety of activities.   Here are some ideas for meaningful and educational activities for students ahead of their winter break, making use of holiday themes celebrated near the end of the year. Christmas According to Christian belief, Jesus was the son of God born to a virgin in a manger. Countries around the world celebrate this holiday in various ways. Each of these customs as described below are ripe for investigation by students. Christmas Around the World Costa Rica: The weather is warm at Christmastime. Trees are popular. Tamales and Empanadas are traditionally eaten.England: Santa Claus is known here by the name Father Christmas. Christmas trees are decorated and stockings are hung. A drink called  Wassail  is served. Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th which is also the feast day of St. Stephen. On this day, it is traditional to give alms to the poor and less fortunate.France: A popular dessert called the buche de noel or Christmas Log is consumed on Christmas. Often, a feast occurs after Midnight Mass on Christmas eve called the rveillon. Gifts are given by pere noel which means Father Christmas. He travels with a man called Pre Fouettard who tells pere noel how the children behaved during the previous year. In some parts of France, gifts are given on both December 6th (St. Nicholas feast day) and on Christmas. Adults give gifts on New Years.Italy: Christmas is celebrated with a large feast after a 24-hour fast before Ch ristmas. Children usually do not receive their presents until January 6th, the day of the Epiphany. These gifts are brought by Le Befana, a woman who flies around on a broom. Kenya: Lots of food is prepared, especially goat. They serve a flatbread called chapatis. Groups often go singing house to house and receive gifts of some kind from the occupants. On Christmas, these singers give any gifts to their church.United States: Christmas trees, real or artificial, are put up in homes early in December. They are usually decorated with multi-color lights and various ornaments. Stockings are hung, often on the fireplace mantel. On Christmas eve, children set out cookies or other goodies for Santa Claus. On Christmas morning, children rush to the tree to see the gifts there and in their stockings. Ideas for Christmas-Themed Projects Investigate the legend of Santa Claus.Investigate different aspects of the Christmas celebration including the tree, the decorations, the stockings, the carols and more.Perform Christmas songs in either English or other languages.Investigate traditional foods for each culture and create them for the rest of the class to sample.Present skits representing each cultures customs.In many countries, Christmas celebrations are becoming more like those  in America. Debate whether the loss of the countries traditional celebrations is good or bad.Read O.  Henrys The Gift of the Magi and discuss its meaning.Students could write in their journals about numerous topics including:Worst Christmas experienceBest Christmas experienceFamily traditionsWhat Santa Claus means to themIs Christmas too commercial? Winter Solstice The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year when the sun is closest to the earth, occurs on the 21st of December. In ancient times, this was celebrated in various ways by Pagan religions. Groups ranging from Germanic tribes to the Roman populace celebrated mid-winter festivals during our month of December. Of course today, three major holidays are celebrated in America during the month of December: Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. We can create our own festival allowing us to experience how other cultures celebrate these holidays. Method of Presentation Many methods exist for creating this festival atmosphere. These range from simple classroom stations presented by groups of students about each culture to schoolwide activities that take place in a large auditorium/cafeteria and allow for more than just static presentations. Students can sing, cook, give presentations, perform skits, and more. This is a great opportunity to have students work  cooperatively  in groups to gather information about holidays and customs. Chanukah This holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated over eight days beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.  In 165 BCE, the Jews led by the Maccabees defeated the Greeks in war. When they arrived to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem they found only one small flask of oil to light the  Menorah. Miraculously, this oil lasted for eight days. today, Chanukah is traditionally observed in the following ways: Every night for the eight days of the festival of Chanukah, lights are lit on a  Menorah  to commemorate the miracle at the Temple over 2000 years ago.While work is not prohibited, people generally refrain from work while the Chanukah lights are lit.The  dreidel  is used by families to play a game. The history behind this game played during Chanukah is believed to relate back to a ban on work while the Chanukah candles are lit.Those celebrating the holiday eat traditionally  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹oily foods to commemorate the miracle of the oil.Children are given presents and money during the holiday. Many families give out presents each day of the holiday. This relates to rewarding children for Torah study.Many different traditions exist around the world for this celebration. Ideas for Chanukah Presentations In addition to adapting the ideas listed above for Christmas celebrations, here are some ideas for Chanukah-themed projects. Students can: Research the background to ChanukahPlay  dreidel  gamesPerform Chanukah songs Kwanzaa Kwanzaa, meaning the first fruits, was developed in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. It gives African-Americans a holiday dedicated to preserving, revitalizing, and promoting African-American culture. It focuses on seven principles with emphasis on the unity of the black family: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. This holiday is celebrated from December 26th through January 1st. On each of the seven days of Kwanzaa, greetings are exchanged in Swahili. The question, Habari gani? is asked and each day the principle for that day is the answer. For example, the first days answer would be Umoja or unity.Gifts are given to children and include a book and a  heritage symbol.  The colors of Kwanzaa are red, black, and green.Seven candles in a Kinara are lit, one for each day of the holiday. One is black and represents the people. This candle is lit first. Three red candles are placed to the left of the black candle representing the struggle for African Americans. Three green candles are placed to the right of the black candle representing the future and hope. These candles are lit from left to right, one for each day. Ideas for Kwanzaa  Presentations Have students discuss each of the seven principles and why they are important.Students can discuss the necessity of holidays in making up group identities.Speakers can come in to discuss Kwanzaa and how it is celebrated.Students can create a  traditional Kwanzaa celebration in the classroom.The Civil Rights movement can be discussed in the context of the Kwanzaa celebration.

Role of a director in a play Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Role of a director in a play - Assignment Example Its 1971 adaptation to television earned the play’s director Fielder Cook an Emmy award for an Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama for a Single Program. Due to these directing successes, The price is a perfect illustration of a director’s role in any production. Rush and Lowe (70) assert that directors are responsible for major decision making, oversight, crew control, text interpretation and play blocking in a production. The director is responsible for all ideas and concepts employed in a production. Therefore, for a success of any single play, relies on the ideas of the director. To discharge this duty, the modern director is expected to develop an overriding theme or main message to pass across to an audience specific to each production or revival, choose a period on which to stage a play in time, determine the theatre space requirements (71), control set design (72), look for the right cast, block or stage the play (73), determine character relationships and lastly, create effects for the audience (74). Director Gary Hynes successfully brings out The Price’s original aim of exploring family relationship, in particularly sibling strife through the two Franz brothers confrontation. Grosbard’s successful direction of the moral standoff between the two brothers (Playbill.com) echoes Gary Hynes later production at the Mark Taper Forum in this regard. McNulty (5) observes that though the play is old fashioned, both directors set it in an attic of a Manhattan brownstone, a quite fitting analogy to the theme of the play. Choosing a theatre for this play is not a difficult task as it does not require much in terms of space, but the design has to reflect a long neglected house and locked away furniture. McNulty’s (5) review critiques Hynes’ set for resembling the â€Å"warehouse of a pricey antique shop†, but credits the director with successful choice of theatre. With regard to casting, the price prior castings have been