e t h n o c e n t r i s m

Where does one draw the line....? Is Ethnocentricism a negative quality....? It's interesting, this subject came up so much in the mid-90's, and applied to almost every ethnicity on the planet that I began to take it as an unsymbolic word and yet another 'human condition'.

Based on my current analysis of history, I will argue that Ethnocentrism is a negative quality since ethnocentrism is basically the amplification of the Chosen One or the Chosen People dogma. It's sad that the classic hero story of any mythology promotes the Chosen One dogma to its fullest. It's even sadder that almost all institutions of faith preach the Chosen People dogma under the veil of heavenly rewards.

I would rather promote the Chosen Planet dogma. What say you Venus, Mars, Jupiter? Where are your people that cultivate your soil and swim in your deep oceans? Where are your pyramids? your great forests? your brilliant cities in the night? your artists? your poets? your storytellers? your dreamers? your philosophers? your mothers? your fathers? your scientists? your priests? your beautiful women? your prideful men? your innocent children? your loyal pets? your timeless songs? What is your legacy? Other than orbiting a sun amongst the billions under a stary night?

My dearest planets, I am proud to be a citizen of the chosen planet, Earth!

But back to what is visible in our day to day lives; in a world based on consumerism, brand loyalty is a way to promote ethnocentrism based on what's cool and hip. Human beings feel the need to be accepted, what easier way to do this than by being what's promoted as cool. In the end, the profit minded wants your money. Now if I can only convince people that being a humanitarian is profitable in terms of finding joy in one's existence, then that would be a worthy goal.

But what can a citizen of the chosen planet Earth do? First, gather some data...

http://www.aneki.com/lists.html

ps. And by the way, dogma spelled backwards is...?