Culture and civilization is a matter of pride for each individual. This pride can be proven in many ways. One of the techniques is by showing the public all the cultural characteristics they have.
Excessive pride in one’s culture is called ethnocentrism. Where in the social process and social interaction, the practice of ethnocentrism can have negative consequences. However, there is a positive side to it.
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Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism can be said to be an example of fanaticism towards certain ethnic meanings . By definition ethnocentrism is an assessment of other cultures by using the basic values and cultural standards it adheres to.
The fanatical process towards culture includes many aspects in the environment. Some aspects that usually have a sense of ethnocentric are related to language, behavior, habits, and beliefs or religions.
To be sure, ethnocentrism can arise not because of a personal desire to over-boast the cultural meaning they have, but sometimes this feeling arises psychologically. This may be related to many things that exist in everyday life.
Negative Impacts of Ethnocentrism
Some of the results of the negative traits in ethnocentrism, among others, are as follows;
1. Conflict between tribes
The ego of each individual who feels the culture they have is the best. For example, in Indonesia, there are many cultures that are spread throughout Indonesia. Many ethnic groups have different cultural elements . If the pride is excessive and shown in front of people who have other cultures, then they will be offended.
Offense will make a person feel unappreciated and will involve certain groups of people. Problems that are initially individual problems can easily take advantage of the group’s strengths.
2. Political currents emerge
The sense of wanting to maintain the existence of the culture that is owned will be associated with politics. This is very possible to continue to maintain culture. This political flow will easily be accepted by people who believe in this culture.
3. Cultural assimilation is hampered
A strong fortress in believing in a culture will find it difficult to get to know other cultures, even not wanting to know about other cultures. There is an assumption that the culture that is owned is the best culture. A negative view of other cultures will make it difficult for someone to accept other cultures.
Sometimes when a new culture enters a certain area, it will get bad treatment and make other people offended. There may not be curiosity about a culture and that culture is closed off. Many ethnic groups in Indonesia are closed off so that their people don’t know the outside world.
4. Discrimination in certain fields
When someone is from a certain tribe and he owns the company. When a worker is needed, he will prioritize his / her circle without considering the ability of the job candidate. When already working in a certain field, there will also be many differences in treatment if they come from different cultural backgrounds.
Ethnocentrism still occurs in our environment. This is evidenced by the many cases of racism that make other people feel uncomfortable. Ethnocentrism in general has many influences in everyday life.
Many tribes have a great sense of pride. Ethnocentrism is not entirely a mistake but knows where someone will position themselves.
Examples of Ethnocentrism Attitude
There are several examples that give birth to negative attitudes from ethnocentrism, for example;
- Birth to Social Conflict
Many cases of ethnocentrism have had a negative impact. One of them is the manifestation of social conflicts in society. For example, there was a conflict between Papuan students in the Java area in 2019, especially in Jogjakarta, Surabaya and Malang.
At this time, racial cases are increasing sharply. What was felt not only by Papuan students on the island of Java, but the Javanese people in Papua in the end also experienced intimidation, with the looting of Javanese shops in Papua.
That is the article we can describe about the negative impact of ethnocentrism and the examples that have occurred in Indonesia. Hopefully it will provide in-depth insight and education for those of you who are in need.
