strategy
Reducing eurocentrism
Context:
Europe and her descendants around the world have had more impact on the world than any other continent or peoples, extending and imposing their languages, cultures, ideas and beliefs throughout the world as a result of their unique mix of practices, colonialism and modern development. This much is true. However, this historic momentum has lent itself to viewing life in many instances from a biased "European race" or eurocentric point of view, at the detriment of objectivity and the experiences of non-European based cultures. A good example includes history books painting glorified heroic pictures of figures from the past, notably Christopher Columbus. Few people realize that he started the Atlantic slave trade. Eurocentrism, or any ethnocentrism for that matter (e.g. Sinocentrism), should make way for an objective account of past and present human activities. This action alone can go a long way towards global understanding, respect, and harmony. Constrains:
Unifying EuropeDiscriminating culturallyDenying lessons of historyDenying cultural self-determinationInfluencing domestic priorities of another culture Constrained by:
Rejecting other culturesPracticing neocolonialism Facilitates:
Eliminating racismProtecting intangible cultural heritageRespecting rights of indigenous peoples and communitiesGiving attention to non-western structures in international NGOsRespecting cultural integrity of indigenous peoples and communities Facilitated by:
Promoting internationalismPromoting cultural exchangesLearning from indigenous valuesExpanding cross-cultural exposureProviding broadened cultural awarenessPromoting mutual appreciation of culturesCorrecting biased and inaccurate history textbooks Problems:
Biased and inaccurate geography textbooksBiased and inaccurate history textbooks
Biased presentation of news
Colonialism
Cultural discrimination
Distorted media presentations
Distortion
Eurocentrism
Ideological bias
Incorrect information
International aid paternalism
Limitations of allopathy
Neglect of non-western structures in international nongovernmental organizations
Neo-colonialism
Racial bias in children's literature
Racism
Unconscious bias
Subjects:
Type Classification:
F: Exceptional strategies