Ethnocentrism And Diversity

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Diversity, ethnocentrism, identification, labeling, culture
Ethnocentrism, group identification, and labeling are all counterproductive to creating a positive culture of diversity in the United States. Group identification and labeling promote discrimination and prejudice. Ethnocentrism prevents us from growing as a nation. The United States is a diverse melting pot of cultures, and we need to practice pluralism if we are to prosper.
Diversity
Diversity by definition is: "the inclusion of individuals representing more than one national origin, color, religion, socioeconomic stratum, sexual orientation, etc.:"(" Diversity," 2015).
The United States is the most diverse country in the world. This affords us the opportunity to learn …show more content…

Ethnocentrism causes people to make judgments about people or groups using their own "superior" culture or way of life as the base measurement. Ethnocentrism breeds prejudice and discrimination. It prevents a person from learning about different people and cultures. It promotes closed mind thinking and promotes "us" versus "them" mentality. There is a large portion of the United States right now practicing ethnocentrism. They are denouncing anyone who does not worship God. They are fighting against immigration, LGBT community, and Muslims because their beliefs go against their culture. They believe immigrants and LGBT are not worthy of the right to live in the United States, and anyone who does live in the United States must assimilate …show more content…

Like so many human faculties, it is adaptive and miraculous, but it also contributes to some of the deepest problems that face our species" (para. 2). Labeling people is detrimental to our society. It promotes stereotyping which promotes prejudice and discrimination. Children in school who do not behave in the norm are labeled as troublemakers. This is harmful because no one bothers to look deeper and find the true cause of the behavior, so the child continues to go without the help they desperately need. By labeling people, we also run the risk of creating the self-fulfilled prophecy. If you label a child as a troublemaker and repeatedly tell them, that is what they are, they will eventually begin to believe it and become a

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