Ethnocentrism in American history
Ethnocentrism in American history refers to the practice of evaluating other cultures and peoples through the lens of one's own cultural standards, often leading to a sense of superiority. Coined by sociologist William G. Sumner in his 1906 work, the term highlights an attitude that centers one’s own cultural group as the standard against which all others are measured. This outlook is often linked to discrimination and racism, as it tends to arise from a limited understanding of other cultures and reinforces power imbalances. In the context of American history, ethnocentrism played a significant role in justifying practices such as slavery and the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. Many European Americans rationalized the enslavement of Africans by claiming it was a benevolent act, stemming from a belief that African cultures were inferior. Similarly, Indigenous Americans faced ethnocentric attitudes that disregarded their customs and rights. The complexities surrounding ethnocentrism reveal moral dilemmas concerning tolerance and the recognition of cultural diversity, making it a critical topic for understanding social dynamics throughout American history.
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Ethnocentrism in American history
Ethnocentrism involves judging the worth of the attributes, beliefs, or customs of another people or culture by the standards of one’s own culture. In his 1906 book Folkways, William G. Sumner coined the term ethnocentrism, defining it as the attitude that “one’s own group is the center of everything, and all others are scaled and rated with reference to it.” Ethnocentrism is the antonym of cultural relativism, which refers to viewing each culture on its own terms without allowing one’s own cultural values to impact judgment. However, it is related to stereotyping, discrimination, and racism, though not all instances of ethnocentrism present with a negative connotation.
Ethnocentrism thrives on a sense of cultural or racial superiority to more “primitive” peoples or cultures. It implies that one’s customs and way of life are the correct and appropriate ones. Ethnocentrism is generally associated with a superficial knowledge of the other culture in question. Coupled with a relationship of unequal power, it may lead to persecution or subjugation of the less powerful group. Ethnocentrism is also intimately connected to moral sensibilities. For example, British colonial governors ended the traditional Hindu practice of suttee, or the burning of a widow along with her deceased husband. To the British, the practice was barbaric. To Indians, it was the accepted way of maintaining the sanctity of the marital bond after the husband's death. This is but one illustration of the complex moral dilemmas that often accompany ethnocentrism: The choice between tolerance of an arrangement that one finds morally offensive and denial of the right of each society to organize its affairs as it wishes.
In America’s history, there are many examples of ethnocentrism. The institution of slavery and its persistence over time can be attributed, in part, to ethnocentrism. Many European Americans who enslaved Africans claimed they were actually helping the individual because their traditional way of life was so “incorrect” that being enslaved must be an improved lifestyle. Other enslavers viewed Africans as such inferior beings that they were not human and, therefore, they could enslave them without guilt. Similar perspectives were applied to the early treatment of Indigenous Americans.
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