Essay about Ethnocentrism Race and Violence - 958 Words

Websters dictionary defines ethnocentrism as The tendency to evaluate other groups according to the values and standards of ones own ethnic group, especially with the conviction that ones own ethnic group is superior to the other groups. When first reading this definition, one would naturally agree that ethnocentrism does exist in our world and society, often confusing it with patriotism. However, many do not realize that ethnocentrism is, has been, and continues to be a leading cause for violence in America. Different ethnic groups such as African Americans and Native Americans have suffered through years of violent crimes against them because of the white mans ethnocentric views of themselves when compared with other races and†¦show more content†¦For example, in the final defeat of the American Indian in 1890, known as the Massacre at Wounded Knee, nearly 300 Lakota men, women, and children - old and young - were massacred in a highly charged, violent encounter with U.S. soldiers because the soldiers incorrectly perceived a ritual ghost dance as a war dance. Native American corpses of men, women, and children laid still and lifeless in the dirt on that cold December night all due to the ethnocentric beliefs of the white man. The Native Americans only cover chapter 1 of white supremacy and ethnocentrism as a means of breeding violence in America throughout its history. When the Native Americans did not work as slaves for the white settlers because of their lack of immunity to European diseases, they needed to resort to other options. They could not use their own indentured servants from their homeland because the indentured servants were white, just as were the settlers. This being the case, the settlers found it a very perfect idea to import blacks from Africa and the Caribbean to work for them on their farms and plantations. Once again, white supremacy prevailed. The blacks were thought to be inferior by the whites because they were different and heathens. They were forced into hard manual labor andShow MoreRelatedEssay about Ethnocentrism968 Words   |  4 Pagesdictionary defines ethnocentrism as â€Å"The tendency to evaluate other groups according to the values and standards of ones own ethnic group, especially with the conviction that ones own ethnic group is superior to the other groups.† When first reading this definition, one would naturally agree that ethnocentrism does exist in our world and society, often confusing it with patriotism. However, many do not realize that ethnocentrism is, has been, and continues to be a leading cause for violence in AmericaRead MoreEthnocentrism Is A Basic Attitude Expressing The Belief That One? S Own Culture Essay1731 Words   |  7 PagesETHNOCENTRISM Ethnocentrism is a basic attitude expressing the belief that one?s own ethnic group or one?s own culture is superior to other ethnic groups or cultures, and that one?s cultural standards can be applied in a universal manner. 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