Classic Ethnocentrism and Non-Ethnocentrism Among Americans - Essay Example

In general, ethnocentrism is not good for society because it consigns other people’s origin, background, and ethnicity as inferior to compare one’s self.

Ethnocentrism is considered to be the foundation or bedrock of prejudice and bigotry in society. Discrimination exists because of ethnocentrism. It fuels hatred and isolates other people in the process of assertion another to become superior.  In the US, the discrimination against Blacks and other minority groups is borne of ethnocentrism’s sense of white superiority over people with colored skin.

            Ethnocentrism which spawns prejudice thrives on a bigoted and limited perspective. Education is a good antidote to combat this problem because it allows ethnocentric people to see that other people are also human beings who feel and think just like them. Exposure to other types of people will also help to widen perspective and end bigoted perspective. It will also make them realize that a person’s value does not really depend on ethnicity or origin but on the character of an individual.