The 5 (five) words that I would use to describe the Nacerima people is: ritualistic, sadistic, community, traditions and faithful.
1.) Ritualistic: would describes the many rituals the Nacerima people practice throughout the year. The Nacerima take on a 'holistic perspective,' from a Anthropological point-of-view, by emphasizing the diversity within and among human culture. When contrasted to Western Civilization. Americans are unaware of the many rituals that we participate in on a daily basis. For example, prayer is a big part of a Christian's life, and may become a daily practice for many individuals. Ritual gives people a sense of belonging to something bigger than self. It is the way many cultures connect to their spiritual practices and ancestors.
2. Sadistic: describes the barbaric practices of the Nacerima people For example, the ritual of the Holy-Mouth-Man, put holes in the Nacerima people teeth, and filled it with so-called magical herbs. This causes further damage to exposed nerves. The teeth are not repaired, as would be expected in Western Civilization. This would coincide with 'ethnocentrism'. Whereas, I do not believe that my own culture are the only standards to live by. Growing up in America, has instilled a different perspective in me. For example, if my tooth has a cavity, the dentist will use a numbing medicine before doing any work to my tooth, and there would be minimal to no pain. These are the practices that I am accustomed.
3. Community: describes the culture of the Nacerima people. Year after year they participate in rituals of pain, and sacrificing the little money they do have. All members of the community have personal shrine in their homes, where they perform private/secret rituals. A charm box is filled with charms, that are said to protect the person, and so on. The freedom to choose your religion is a Western Civilization practice. This is where I am 'culture-bound,' because I do not want to cause unnecessary pain to myself. For example, I am terrified of dentists; due to the drills and a past experience. However, my dentist cater to my fear and needs, to do the work I need done. In some cultures, this is not a norm and can be quite painful.
4. Traditions: can be describe as a culture's way of life. It may not be considered the norm, by Western society, nevertheless traditions are to be respected in Anthropology studies and research. Traditions are what cultures are made of globally. For example, America celebrate Christmas every December 25th, whereas some cultures would consider this a pagan practice, and choose not to participate. For example, members of the occult communities celebrate the New Year, the first day of Spring, rather than January 1st. Spring is when animals wake up from hibernation, flowers and trees begin to bloom again.
5. Faithful: is a word to describe the Nacerima people. Each year they continue with their rituals, traditions and practices. They faithfully acquire their charms for their charm boxes, and participate in community and private rituals. 'Fieldwork,' provided by Horace Miner shed some light on the Nacerima people and their cultural practices. I do agree with their practices, but I respect it, and recognize how faithful they are to their traditions. For example, the fieldwork that was provided by Miner gave us a look into a culture different than our own.
Part 2:
1. As an American, the choice of words that I used does describe America. There was no way of knowing that I would be describing America. Actually, the descriptive words do describe America, from my perspective. For example, rituals are performed at various times of the year within all religions in America. Pagans celebrate the New Year the first day of Spring. Occult members have been know to perform sacrifices during All Hallow's Eve. Christian and Catholics observe Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. There are many sadistic practices in American and most are illegal. African-Americans are being shot by the police frequently, and in some cases; if arrested they are inflicted with torture, then murdered.
The is a great sense of community throughout America. I have experienced it everywhere I have lived in the United States. There is no denying it. Generally, people are divided according to economic status. America is the melting pot of traditions for all the cultures that live within the United States. For example, the traditions of holidays, such as: hay rides during Halloween, the Super Bowl, the Playoffs, trick or treating for Halloween, celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving.
America is faithful when it comes to protecting its citizens from terrorists. I honor that, because I do feel safe and secure knowing that America is fighting on our side. The poor have their many issues; due to capitalism, but America does have a welfare system that provides some assistance to needy families, and help centers for our Veterans.
2. Yes, there are words that shows a bias towards the Nacerima people. For example, sadistic is a harsh way to describe a culture, but due to my limit experience, morals and values this is my description of them and America. Faithful would be considered bias also. For example, I described the Nacerima people as being faithful and America. Does it make the Nacerima people faithful that they keep up with their traditions? Or are they being solicited for money, by the community medicine men? As for America, I call them faithful for protecting its citizens from terrorists. Whereas, the countries that they are at war with may have a different opinion. Other countries have accused America of taking what they want, from whom they want.
Ritualistic, Community and Traditions would be classifies as being unbiased. For example, all cultures maintain some type of ritual. A ritual can be as simple as, getting up Monday through Friday to get ready for work or school for Americans, and finding work to support their loved ones in other cultures. Community exists in all cultures. People are grouped together, and carry on daily tasks within all cultures. This would be considered the norm. Traditions are apart of all cultures. For example, it is traditional to watch the Super Bowl or Playoffs in American homes, during football and basketball season. In Botswana, it is traditional to have a dinner at the home of the bride once engaged.
3. Instead of using sadistic, I could replace it with cultural practices. Cultural practices would not be so harsh as to offend a culture of their way of life. Instead of faithful, I could replace it with loyal. Most cultures are loyal to their way of life, and it gives honor to them in the process. Loyal would describe their love of their values, traditions and rituals.
4. It is important to understand a culture, without passing judgment on them, their traditions and their way of life. This is a disrespectful act. People are entitled to live how they choose, and should be free of speculation and ridicule. Diversity is the spice of life. If everyone was doing it, then it would not be diverse. That would make life rather boring. I do not believe that it is possible to avoid all biases, as a Cultural Anthropologists. Cultural Anthropologists are humans, therefore they have room for error. I do not feel that they intentionally are bias. They to have limited experience to different cultures. Being raised in America is a big difference to being born in China. The cultures are different, and so is life. Each culture has their own sacred knowledge, and way of doing things.
Part 2:
1. As an American, the choice of words that I used does describe America. There was no way of knowing that I would be describing America. Actually, the descriptive words do describe America, from my perspective. For example, rituals are performed at various times of the year within all religions in America. Pagans celebrate the New Year the first day of Spring. Occult members have been know to perform sacrifices during All Hallow's Eve. Christian and Catholics observe Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. There are many sadistic practices in American and most are illegal. African-Americans are being shot by the police frequently, and in some cases; if arrested they are inflicted with torture, then murdered.
The is a great sense of community throughout America. I have experienced it everywhere I have lived in the United States. There is no denying it. Generally, people are divided according to economic status. America is the melting pot of traditions for all the cultures that live within the United States. For example, the traditions of holidays, such as: hay rides during Halloween, the Super Bowl, the Playoffs, trick or treating for Halloween, celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving.
America is faithful when it comes to protecting its citizens from terrorists. I honor that, because I do feel safe and secure knowing that America is fighting on our side. The poor have their many issues; due to capitalism, but America does have a welfare system that provides some assistance to needy families, and help centers for our Veterans.
2. Yes, there are words that shows a bias towards the Nacerima people. For example, sadistic is a harsh way to describe a culture, but due to my limit experience, morals and values this is my description of them and America. Faithful would be considered bias also. For example, I described the Nacerima people as being faithful and America. Does it make the Nacerima people faithful that they keep up with their traditions? Or are they being solicited for money, by the community medicine men? As for America, I call them faithful for protecting its citizens from terrorists. Whereas, the countries that they are at war with may have a different opinion. Other countries have accused America of taking what they want, from whom they want.
Ritualistic, Community and Traditions would be classifies as being unbiased. For example, all cultures maintain some type of ritual. A ritual can be as simple as, getting up Monday through Friday to get ready for work or school for Americans, and finding work to support their loved ones in other cultures. Community exists in all cultures. People are grouped together, and carry on daily tasks within all cultures. This would be considered the norm. Traditions are apart of all cultures. For example, it is traditional to watch the Super Bowl or Playoffs in American homes, during football and basketball season. In Botswana, it is traditional to have a dinner at the home of the bride once engaged.
3. Instead of using sadistic, I could replace it with cultural practices. Cultural practices would not be so harsh as to offend a culture of their way of life. Instead of faithful, I could replace it with loyal. Most cultures are loyal to their way of life, and it gives honor to them in the process. Loyal would describe their love of their values, traditions and rituals.
4. It is important to understand a culture, without passing judgment on them, their traditions and their way of life. This is a disrespectful act. People are entitled to live how they choose, and should be free of speculation and ridicule. Diversity is the spice of life. If everyone was doing it, then it would not be diverse. That would make life rather boring. I do not believe that it is possible to avoid all biases, as a Cultural Anthropologists. Cultural Anthropologists are humans, therefore they have room for error. I do not feel that they intentionally are bias. They to have limited experience to different cultures. Being raised in America is a big difference to being born in China. The cultures are different, and so is life. Each culture has their own sacred knowledge, and way of doing things.
Five submissions noted and points awarded. Full comments and score will be posted after Part B is submitted.
ReplyDeleteAn initial point here: Some of the terms you use here are nouns (i.e., "community" and "traditions", not descriptions (adjectives). You do a good job of explaining your choice of term to your readers, but it is more difficult to be biased with nouns. You might have had a clearer picture of ethnocentrism by using true descriptors.
ReplyDeleteYou can still feel that words are accurate, even if they do exhibit ethnocentrism. One does not exclude the other. I agree that American's are highly ritualist... but so is every other culture. :-) So you avoid bias by identifying a descriptor that applies to all cultures! This may well apply to "faithful" as well. As I mentioned, "community" and "traditions" are nouns, not adjectives, so it makes it harder to show bias there. The main term that demonstrated ethnocentrism was "sadism", as this has a definite negative connotation and your judgement is based upon the description from one article. Your understanding of their rituals is second hand in nature and incomplete, so your choice of term says more than you actually know, based solely upon your own interpretation of the article.
"sadistic is a harsh way to describe a culture, but due to my limit experience, morals and values this is my description of them and America."
Yes, this arose from your own limited experiences, morals and values. That is exactly what ethnocentrism is and what we want to avoid in this class. I agree that the other four terms tend to avoid bias for the reasons I raised before.
"Cultural practices" again falls into the trap of using a noun instead of an adjective to describe a culture. But perhaps you have discovered a key point here. Might it be better to just avoid descriptions altogether since they are themselves are subject to cultural biases?
"This is a disrespectful act."
I don't disagree, but since this is a cultural anthropology class, can we be more specific about the dangers of enthocentrism in this course? How might ethnocentrism negatively impact the conclusions a cultural anthropologist might draw about another culture? Could we consider those conclusions reliable and factual if they started from a place of bias?
Good final discussion.