The Danger of Ethnocentrism - Assignment Example

History can show the dangers of ethnocentrism. The Third Reich is an extreme example of ethnocentrism. Hitler felt the way to protect his Aryan race was to kill inferior races. The genocide in Rwanda committed by the Hutus against the Tutsis is another extreme example of ethnocentrism. Slavery was a form of ethnocentrism. Today examples of ethnocentrism are a white supremacist and radical Islam. These groups are at war with all other cultures. In order to protect their superior culture, ethnocentrism believers fight all other groups.

The dangers of ethnocentrism are the reasons for social integration. Due to modern technology, war, and population growth, the world is shrinking. Large chunks of one culture or people are becoming less common. Unless living in an isolated location, where one never leaves and others do not visit, individuals will encounter different cultures during their lifespan. Especially in America, where many cultures live, work, and makeup communities, the need for social integration is essential. More social integration will lessen the violence, discrimination, and verbal aggression between cultures.

The less violence between races will help communities to get along and reduce hate crimes.