Center Two—Ethnocentrisms and The Gods Must Be Crazy
Deeper Reading and Deeper Viewing
Vocabulary
1. Ethnocentrism-judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own
culture.
2. Prevalent-existing or widespread
3. Peripheral-not relating to the main or most important part
4. Imperialism- the unequal human and territorial relationship, usually in the form of an
empire, based on ideas of superiority and practices of dominance, and involving the extension of
authority and control of one state or people over another
5. Primitive-very simple and basic; made or done in a way that is not modern
6. Attribute-to regard as resulting from a specified cause
7. Virtue-morally good behavior or character; moral existence
8. Vice-practice, behavior, or habit generally considered immoral, sinful, depraved, or
degrading in the associated society; the opposite of virtue
9. Dichotomy-a difference between two opposite things
10. Inclusion- allowing things/people to take a part of
11. Ingrained- firmly fixed or established; difficult to change
12. Hinders-holds back
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
1. People believe that others are talking about them.
2. Sumner referred to the prevalent belief that ones own ethnic group is central or superior. Other cultures are
reduced to peripheral roles.
3. Ethnocentric individuals unconsciously believe that their culture is superior to other cultures.
4. Ethnocentrism caused the holocaust. Ethnocentrism also lead to the colonization of Africa and the Americas by
European powers.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
5.
6.
7.
The author means the people in society quickly label others as either “good” or “bad”. There is no middle ground.
Politicians will believe that their culture is superior. They won’t be open to other ideas outside their culture. This
hinders positive foreign relations with outer countries. Also politicians must represent citizens of all cultures in
their country.
People believe that their culture is “one size fits all”. Their ideas and beliefs can apply to all people.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
8.
The Africans who lived in cities scoffed at Xi in court. They believed that he was backwards and that they had a
superior culture. Mrs. Thompson is made to teach Africans but she has no teacher training. The Bushmen are
tracked in a similar way that animals are tracked.
9. Xi’s culture is more civilized. There is no crime, jealousy, or hatred. Petty emotions are done away with. Xi’s culture
is less technologically advanced but there is no need for technology in Bushmen society.
10. Civilization varies from culture to culture. No one way of living is better than the other. All have their pros and cons.
The Bushmen are less advanced but they are peaceful and happy. The city people have the luxury of technology but
they live stressful busy lives.
11. The God’s are the people who live in cities. Their culture is drastically different from the Bushmen. The Bushmen
are shocked with how odd the “gods” are. The gods look different from them and behave differently. The gods don’t
even speak the same language as the Bushmen.
12.
In Arizona I lived near a Spanish family. When we moved to our neighborhood they welcomed us warmly and even
went as far to kiss my family and I. I thought it was very strange and an evasion of personal space. I later learned
that in some cultures that is simply how you greet one another. I assumed that all cultures were the same in the
way people greet each other.