Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture or group is superior to others and that the practices and beliefs of one’s own group should be the standard by which all other cultures are judged.
Ethnocentrism can involve a range of attitudes and behaviors, from viewing other cultures as inferior or primitive to actively discriminating against or oppressing people from other cultures. Ethnocentrism can be driven by a variety of factors, including nationalism, cultural pride, and a desire to preserve group identity.
Ethnocentrism can have negative consequences, including conflict, intolerance, and violence, and it is often seen as a barrier to understanding and cooperation between different cultures.
Take Action
Easy ways to address microaggressions at your school or workplace.
Get Educated
Seek out information and perspectives from other cultures and to broaden your understanding of the world. This can involve reading books, watching movies, or interacting with people from different cultures.
Check Your Bias
Ethnocentrism is often driven by unconscious biases and assumptions that we may not even be aware of. By reflecting on these biases and trying to understand where they come from, we can work to overcome them.
Practice Empathy
Practice seeing the world from other people’s perspectives and be open to learning from and about other cultures. This can involve making an effort to listen to others, asking questions, and being willing to challenge your own assumptions.
Learn More
Recent discussions of ethnocentrism often fall short of interpreting the relationship between ethnocentrism and racism.
Related Words and Phrases
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