Ethnocentrism Culture and Social Integration Essay example

Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of ones own culture. Ethnocentrism often bring about the belief that ones own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or are superior to those of other groups. Ethnocentrism can have both a positive and negative effect in one’s personal life. â€Å"On the positive side, it creates in-group loyalties. On the negative side, ethnocentrism can lead to discrimination against people whose ways differ from ours†(Henslin 2006:33). The positive definition defines ethnocentrism as â€Å"the point of view that one’s own way of life is to be preferred to all others† (Herskovits 1973: 21). There is nothing wrong with such feelings, because â€Å"it†¦show more content†¦Ethnocentrism was what came between the white and black people for centuries. Even today, in 2007, white and black people are both suffering the consequences of the past ethnocentrism. Another example of t his is when Adolph Hitler and his Nazi followers thought they were better then the Jewish people and even judged the Jewish people to be lower than dirt. This case of ethnocentrism lead to the horrifying deaths of about six million Jewish people. Hitlers ethnocentric mindset eventually led to World War 2. Ethnocentrism becomes negative when â€Å" one’s own group becomes the center of everything, and all other are scaled and rated with reference to it†(Herskovits 1973:21). It reaches extreme negative form when â€Å"a more powerful group not only imposes its rule on another, but actively depreciates the things they hold to be of value† (Herskovits 1973:103). In conclusion, ethnocentrism can be both a bad and good thing. It is good to be proud of ones heritage, country, and culture. Ethnocentrism can lead to social integration and strong personal, patriotism, and group ties. Extreme ethnocentrism can breed racism, hate crimes, and even wars. The worse cases of et hnocentrism can be seen in World War 2 and Civil War 2. Instead of people getting mad when others are being a little bit ethnocentric, they should first see the ethnocentrism in themselves. Then they should learn that a persons ethnocentrism is what their biases are. It is onlyShow MoreRelatedMusic Integration : Balance Between Western Music Culture And Other Music Cultures Essay1496 Words   |  6 PagesMusic Integration: Balance between western music culture and other music cultures Introduction Nowadays, with the development of the transportation and network, people can be easily exposed to different cultures from all over the world. It leads to a problem that how to set some criterions when different cultures has their own ways to measure. The culture also includes music culture. Michael B. Bakan states in his book that the term music is inescapably tied to Western culture and its assumptionsRead MoreCultural Expectations Vs. Reality1285 Words   |  6 Pagessmall age and has fully assimilated with modern US society and is now a citizen of this beautiful country. In this paper, I will present my experience travelling back to my home country of Albania after many years and describe the differences in my social/cultural expectations versus the reality that is evident in most Balkan nations and several European countries. After presenting my story, I will attempt to analyze through my lens and with referring to sociological concepts/theories, my experiencesRead MoreA Brief Note On Multiple Factors Contributing And Racial Inequality1134 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferent in different parts of the world. Different cultures teach different values to their citizens. Ultimately, fear of different ethnic groups could cause racial inequality from the 1500s to the present, ethnocentrism is the main cause because it is expressed in different ways in the United States, countries teach citizens ethnocentrism, and people believe certain ethnic groups are better than others. First, the north and south expressed ethnocentrism with minor differences. To demonstrate, considerRead MoreThe Degree And Nature Of Ethnocentrism That Exists Within Expatriate Communities Essay2113 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction The purpose of this report is to identify the degree and nature of ethnocentrism that exists within expatriate communities. I will seek to outline some strategies in which will aim to help to aid the expats with their acculturation and intercultural communication in their professional environment, as a business person, but also as a general person (expat) who is engaging in any form of communication, be it social or commonplace. For my research I analysed several different academic papersRead MoreEffects Of Multiculticulturalism925 Words   |  4 Pagesviews and definition of multiculturalism; the definition of multiculturalism depends on the context in which it is used. In sociology, multiculturalism is the idea that various cultures exist in a society and all these cultures deserve equal treatment (Macionis, 2010). Sociologists believe that members of different cultures can live peacefully alongside each other and assimilation is not necessary; but this does not happen in all multicultural societies. This essay will place emphasis on both theRead MoreEssay on Views and Definitions of Multiculturalism924 Words   |  4 Pagesviews and definition of multiculturalism; the definition of multiculturalism depends on the context in which it is used. In sociology, multiculturalism is the idea that various cultures exist in a society and all these cultures deserve equal treatment (Macionis, 2010). 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Women Spies in the American Civil War - 2015 Words

With over a half million deaths the most gruesome war in American history drove citizens to action. The suffering during this era was so great many were inspired by nationalism to act. For those who were unable to join the fight upon the battlefield, espionage represented a chance for personal involvement. Although it is believed that many agents never sought recognition for their service, especially Confederate scouts, documentation depicts the espionage present during the American Civil War to be surprisingly sophisticated. By examining the recorded history involving active female intelligence agents in the American Civil War, we can see the roles of female scouts were severely underestimated, frequently encouraged, and generally†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, some women enlisted in the armies disguised as males, others found they could contribute their service to the war through acting as scouts. For those women that enlisted, changing their dress was only a small frac tion of the work required to blend in to their brigade. Hiding all feminine characteristics including the ways, in which they walked, talked, sat, and acted was necessary to avoid detection (Eggleston 2). An abundance of radical periodicals and writings intended for a female audience emerged at the beginning of the war (Endres 32). With ample encouragement women found it within their interests to take an active role in the fight. Some, including Elizabeth Van Lew, simply desired for the feuding between the regions to end and found espionage to be their contribution (Kane 235). In â€Å"Companions of Crisis: The Spy Memoir as a Social Document†, Curtis Carroll Davis depicts the female scouts perceiving their duty to their country to be through espionage. Surprisingly, men, including fathers and other patriarchal figures, actively sought the help of their female kin to play an active role in the war through espionage. For instance, the father of Antonia Ford encouraged his daug hter to entertain and extract information from Union officers on behalf of the Confederate cause (Eggleston 97). The passion for liberty was undoubtedly just asShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Men And Women Spies During The American Civil War1392 Words   |  6 PagesKarissa Gilmore Prof. Froese Hist. 12 15-March-2017 The Importance of Men and Women Spies in the American Civil War The American Civil War started because the North and the South disagreed on the main issue of slavery and lasted for four years. They could not agree whether to prohibit slavery in territories that had not become states yet. After the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the Southern states had a major conflict with Lincoln becoming president and seven slave states succeeded fromRead MoreWomen s Role During The Civil War1301 Words   |  6 Pagesdegradation of Women the very foundations of life are poisoned at their source† (Rose 1). Lucretia Mott was only one of many women in which had to go through this tough time known as the Civil War (Biography.com Editors 2). Women during this time threw away their old ways of being a housewife and everyone helped contribute in the war somehow, whether if they were young or old they helped (History.com Staff 1). Though not often mentioned, women played a huge role in the Civil War. The Women stood up toRead MoreWomen During The Civil War1049 Words   |  5 PagesFor Civil War women in the 1860s it was predictable wisdom that a â€Å"woman’s place is in the home,† but the Civil War challenged this view. There were many women who played an important role in the Civil War. It is normal to think the Civil War was a man’s fight. However during the war, many women challenged the role of the women and took on different roles. While the men marched off to war, the women had to work hard and try to provide for their families. Women became doctors, spies, nurses, couriersRead More Womens Roles During Times of War Essay1307 Words   |  6 PagesDuring Times of War Despite the prevalence of war goddesses in most traditions from China to Greece to Ireland, women have been separated from the front lines of war for centuries. Western tradition claims that women are not made for war, but for household work: sewing, cleaning, cooking, and looking after children. Society told women to carry brooms in lieu of swords; to collect firewood instead of ammunition, and to keep house rather than protect a nation. Yet, for centuries, women have foughtRead MoreWomen Of The Civil War885 Words   |  4 Pages For women in the 1860s it was predictable wisdom that a â€Å"woman’s place is in the home,† but the Civil War challenged this view (Civil War Academy, 2015). There were many women who played an important role in the Civil War. It is normal to think the Civil War was a man’s fight. However during the war, many women challenged the role of the women and took on different roles. While the men marched off to war, the women had to work har d and try to provide for their families. Women became doctors, spiesRead MoreWomen In The Civil War1674 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Women Who Fought In the Civil War Submitted By: Tierahnee Balfour History 2010 Enhanced Mrs. Teresa Prober 19 October 2012 It is an accepted convention that the Civil War was a man’s fight, but to the women in that time period, it was not. Many women sacrificed their lives to fight for their family and for their country. 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These names are synonymous with great generals who fought great battles during the war, but what about Sarah Emma Edmonds, Clara Burton, Dorthea Dix, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, and Loreta Janeta Velazquez? These names are not as known as their male counterparts, but these ladies of the Civil War Era did their part to aide their respective sides in the war. What these and other women didRead MoreThe Civil War And America s History1108 Words   |  5 PagesThe Civil War is the significant and central event in America’s history. It lasted in four years from 1861 to 1865 and was involved by not only men but also women. The Civil War made a significant affect in the lives of American in general and women in particular. During the war, women started taking action and challenging the ideology of â€Å"true womanhood† to stand in many different roles. They became soldiers, nurses, spies, and doctors. They took new roles at home, fought along men, and served inRead MoreThe Contributions Of Women In The American Civil War .1576 Words   |  7 PagesThe Contributions of Women in the American Civil War The Civil War was a divisive time in American history that tore the country in half for five long years (1861-1865). After the election of Abraham Lincoln, the southern states seceded from the north and formed the Confederate States of America because they saw their way of life being threatened. They wanted to fight for their right to have slaves and for states to have more power. The North (Union) fought because secession wasn t an option and

Definition of Sport free essay sample

The Council of Europe’s Sports Charter, adopted in 1992, used a more concise definition: Sport means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competitions at all levels. The main question is how to distinguish between active sport and more general leisure and recreational activities. Some activities such as football, gymnastics and tennis are clearly recognised as active sport. Going to the cinema, going out for a meal are other activities done in leisure time that are clearly non-sports.It is at the margin that the problem arises. Are darts and snooker sport or leisure activities? It could be argued that they are sports since television coverage occurs in sports programmes and newspaper coverage is in sports sections. They are also competitive; however they involve little or no physical exertion, so they do not fill the criterion for physical activity. We will write a custom essay sample on Definition of Sport or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Rodgers (1977) suggested that four basic elements should ideally be present in a sport, and the first two should always be present. †¢ Sport should: involve physical activity †¢ Be practised for recreational purposes †¢ Involve an element of competition †¢ Have a framework of institutional organisationTo these you could add the criterion of general acceptance that an activity is of a sporting nature, e. g. by the media and sports agencies. References Rodgers B

The Evolution of American Slavery

This paper aims to discuss the evolution of such social phenomenon as slavery in the United States. In particular, it is necessary to explain why it became associated primarily with black people. Secondly, we need to show how it changed with time passing and how slaves tried to cope with this experience.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Evolution of American Slavery specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Overall, it is possible for us to advance a thesis that the origins of black slavery should be sought in the economic development of American colonies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and especially the fact that it was based on agriculture. First, we need to need say that the first colonizers, who settled in North America, were most engaged in the production and export of coffee, sugar, cotton, and tobacco as the climate and soil of those lands was perfectly suitable for these crops (Foner, 22). These ac tivities required cheap labor force, and the easiest way to procure these workers was to bring slaves from Africa. One should bear in mind that slavery existed in Africa long before the arrival of Europeans. More importantly, human trafficking was a common source of income for many people (Foner, 22). This is the key reason why slavery is now associated mostly with black people. It has to be admitted that there were also the so-called white slaves: they were mostly British or German people, who were forced to work for a planter, but they had a right to ransom themselves out slavery, whereas African people were not allowed to do that. Some Indian Americans were also enslaved but such cases were not very widespread especially in comparison with the number of black slaves. The key reason is that Indians were perceived as a different race, but not an inferior one. Apart from that, European colonizers were reluctant to come into conflict with them as they could put up a violent resistanc e, whereas Black people did not have such an opportunity. Secondly, one should not overlook racial and religious prejudices against African slaves, especially in the seventeenth century. They were regarded as subhuman individuals or at least someone, who was inferior to Europeans (Foner, 132). The very ideology of slavery was based on the premise that Africans were created to serve superior races, i.e. Europeans. Certainly, there were intellectuals, who objected to this standpoint, but they were not numerous at least at that time. The abolitionist movement intensifies only in the early years of the nineteenth century when industrial revolution was already under way and there was no need so slave labor. Thus, political and social views of that period linked slavery with a particular race.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Having no civil rights, black slaves could not protect themselves fr om the cruelty of their owners. Therefore, they tried to work ways of shielding themselves against this injustice. There were two forms of such resistance: passive and active ones. As far as passive resistance was concerned, we need to say that African slaves found consolation in their language and culture (Foner, 143). For example, they spoke Gullah[1], and built houses that resembled their own homes in Africa. However, the key issue is that they began to live in very small and secluded communities, to which slave-owners did not have access. Religion and especially Christianity also helped them to guard themselves against their oppressors. To a large extent, it gave them a spiritual comfort or the belief that in the afterlife there will be no suffering. Apart from that, it gave them hope that sometime they would manage to break free (Foner, 417). It should be mentioned that life of urban and rural slaves was different. Those slaves, who lived in villages, were forced to work in ver y harsh working conditions; their work was based mostly on backbreaking physical labor. In contrast, urban slaves often worked as craftsmen who had to possess well-developed technical skills (Foner, 412). Again, we need to stress an idea that that industrial revolution made the slave labor less necessary. For example, such inventions as spinning wheel or steam engine helped to reduce the number of workforce, needed for the same task. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the US cities became more industrialized and as a result, the living conditions of many slaves improved. Certainly, they had to give their wages to their holders but they acquired a higher degree of independence (Foner, 412). Overall, one can argue that the industrial revolution undermined the very institution of slavery. When discussing passive resistance of African slaves, one should not overlook the works of such intellectuals as Olaudah Equiano, Ignatious Sancho or Frederick Douglass, all of whom we once s laves but managed to regain their freedom. The books and articles, written by these people emphasized the cruelty of slavery and it’s brutal nature (Foner, 428). They showed that African people have the same feelings, emotions and needs as Europeans do. One should not assume that culture, language, and family were the only means of resistance to slavery; as in many cases it took more active forms. We can mention Turner’s rebellion that broke out in Virginia. In 1831, Nat Turner[2] and his followers revolted against their owners and killed more than sixty white people (Foner, 421). One can as well remember German Coast uprising that took place in 1811 and left two slave-owners dead. Naturally, each of these insurgencies was suppressed and those, who had been responsible for them, were executed. Nonetheless, they clearly illustrated an idea that slavery ownership could not remain unpunished and that a constantly suppressed person was rather likely to strike back. These r evolts contributed to a shift in the public opinion: American society understood that slavery had to be abolished; otherwise it would lead to relentless feud between black and white people.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Evolution of American Slavery specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Attempts to escape from slavery were another form of active resistance. According to the rough estimations, at least one thousand people managed to reach the Northern states or even Canada (Foner, 419). This also greatly intensified the movement of abolitionism. On the whole, this active and passive resistance of African slaves culminated into the American Civil War which completely uprooted the institution of slavery. As we can see, such phenomenon as black slavery came into existence due to several economic, political, religious and philosophical factors. Despite the fact that it was full abolished in 1865, it left an indelibl e trace in the memory of American people and the process of American Reconstruction that began after the Civil War, still goes on. Works Cited Foner Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History. NY W.W. Norton Company, 2008. Footnotes The language that combined dialects of several African languages along with English. The majority of white people could not understand it A slave, who despite his social status, received good education This essay on The Evolution of American Slavery was written and submitted by user Jayda Leach to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.