CulturalSolidarity

Many communities today are composed of

divergent cultural traditions and ethnic

groups origins. Conflict often result, however,

because groups do not respect or tolerate each

others’ world view and fail to reconcile their

differences through a creative non-violent

strategies.

Cultural Solidarity is best expressed in the spirit of intercultural trust, empathy, respect and understanding in plural societies where different culture learn to love together in peace.

Concepts Affecting Cultural Solidarity

Two “extreme” ways of looking at culture:

Ethnocentrism

It is the practice of judging another culture using the standards of one’s own .

3 Things about a different culture

that you didn’t know

before

1. Ethiopia uses a calendar that is about seven years behind the Gregorian calendar. September 12 marks the start of the New Year for the African country , so their new millennium began on what we consider Sept. 12, 2007.

2.Cut fingers in Indonesia: are usually eccentric followed by a tribe called “Danny” in Indonesia, as they force women to cut off parts of their fingers when  a family member died. In order to make them feel the same emotional pain that they feel it! 3. In some Indian tribes the

man at the maintenance of beards greeting each other an expression of mutual respect!

Xenocentrism

Is the idea that what is foreign is best and that one’s lifestyles, products or ideas are inferior to that of others.

Cultural RelativismThis is the process of judging culture by its own

standards. It is a comparative approach that

derives from an understanding and

appreciation of cultures different from ours.

This occurs when people encounter

a culture whose

patterns of behavior are diverse from

their own. They might get

disoriented or disorganized, a

situation brought about by

unfamiliarity.

Ethnicity

EthnicityNegative Effects of1. Divides humanity, fuels anger and provokes animosity.

2. Sets human beings apart because of their cultural color and social heritage

3. Establishes racial or ethnic minority . Minorities share a distinctive a quality (race, sex, gender, physical; disability quality , etc. and are subordinated.

Prejudice

It refers to a rigid and irrational generalization about an entire category.

Theories of Prejudice

A scapegoat is a person with little power who is unfairly blamed for the trouble of others.

SCAPEGOAT THEORY

Authoritarian Personality Theory It states that extreme prejudice

forms a personality trait. A person who is intolerant of one of the minority is usually intolerant to all.

Cultural Theory

It states that a certain measure of prejudice is embedded in cultural values. This is al so the feeling of

social superiority to their race.

Conflict Theory

It uses the ideology of prejudice to justify the

oppression of the minority.