Today in History

Beginning April,7th 1994,in one of the smallest countries of Africa,in a hundred days,approximately a million Tutsi and moderate Hutu were massacred by the Hutu militia.This was the beginning of death in the land of a thousand hills,Rwanda.Today Rwanda is commemorating the 16 years since the genocide took place.

That was the beginning of the Rwandan genocide.Every 7th day of April the country has been taking a day off work,school and other activities to remember those who lost their lives;their loved ones,neighbors,friends,teachers etc.

Rwandans and other people around the world are gathering to light a candle for Rwanda others give their encounters as a healing process and others take a time of silence in remembrance of the perished their lives.

Despite the past,Rwanda is has overcome and it is developing at a fast rate.

Ethnocentricism.......How to say it without being ethnocentric

What is Ethnocentrism???Well its not a good thing at all.I learned of this term in my interpersonal communications class.If my memory is serves me right,it is judging people or their culture according to your culture;feeling that you culture,pattern,value,norms are superior than that of others.

I feel like people tend to be ethnocentric without realizing it sometimes.It always seems like ones values or way of life is better that others.I know how hard it is to accept other people's way of living just the way it is.People always tend to compare their culture to others and it becomes even harder to be objective when dealing with them.

I wish people could be more open minded and ready to learn and integrate easily.I don't think it's that hard.It becomes hard when people try to make assumptions.

I found some interesting examples of Ethnocentrism,like someone would say things like "Mexican food or Chinese food is bizarre"that is being ethnocentric,the person is suggesting that her food,is better or more regular kind of food that that of the Mexican or Chinese.Instead people should to use other terms like "this is different"it sounds better and less judgmental.

Another example is when people go to another country and say,"oh they drive on the wrong side of the road of the road,implying that theirs is right/correct and the other one wrong.Instead one should say the side that they are driving on e.g left hand side or right hand side.

For a long time i used to judge others according to my own culture forgetting that it is just different and that i should appreciate it and accept it.(when you go to Rome?Pray as the Romans)........

Why is Ethnocentrism bad?It makes one make false assumptions about other cultures,nation or people.It also leads to stereotyping,prejudice and may lead to racism.

Placing ones culture superior to others causes us to misjudge others which leads to miscommunication and sometimes hatred.

I just found out that the opposite of Ethnocentrism is Xenocentrism.Which is preferring other cultures over your own culture.The assumption that other cultures are superior to your own.I think it is also bad.We should be able to appreciate our way of life and understand others way of lives as well.(EASIER SAID THAN DONE)

I will get back soon with Xenocentrism and how to avoid it.Well i hope you learned something today.

COLOR COMPLEX

I have learned so much since i came to this country.One of the most interesting but sad thing is color complex among African Americans.Growing up in Africa skin color was never an issue.All i know is that dark guys were considered more handsome than light skinned (brown)guys.But here in America it is different,i am currently reading the color complex by Kathy Russell

It is a very eye opening book on the "politics of color among African American."I never knew people of the same race would discrimate each other regarding their skin tones.The issue is mostly among African American and rare or even unheard of among Africans.

The lighter skin tone,the straighter hair one has among African American,the more beautiful one is considered to be.
I think this is an interesting topic it makes me want to scream because the whole concept is stupid.

But i also learned that this dates back to the Slavery period,the lighter skin toned slaves were given lighter work or would work in their masters house while the darker ones would do harder chores in the field.I think slavery is the root of all African American "evils."Everything that is complained about if you research carefully has ts roots in slavery.Everything started from there.

And you would think the concept of favoring or regarding lighter skinned slaves would end with the slavery time, No,it's still alive among the African American Community.Sad fact.

The perception is that lighter skinned African Americans get better jobs,make more money,have easier time dating,are more attractive, more popular,less intimidating and so on.All the good things.On the other hand,darker skinned African Americans are perceived to be assertive,aggressive,having attitude etc

The color complex issue is very complex.I will stop here for now but stay on the look out for Part 2 of this.

I am still doing my reseach.