Eurocentrism is the practice of viewing the world in a light that essentially views european culture, judgements, values and methods in society as the norm and furthermore, superior. This idea of eurocentrism ideologies heavily ties in with the aspect of "white privilege". It is a concept that reiterates the ugly truth about white vs. "other". Eurocentrism reinstates the notion of a societal hierarchy, in which a european way of life is insinuated as the best and only way, completely disregarding the traditions and methods of nations or groups of people deemed "exotic" or "uncivilized" judging by Western standards. While this may be a truth hard to grasp in a society that claims modernity and progress, it is all too apparent in our communities, societies and government. Let's look at Donald Trump for example and his presidential campaign. A man running in the campaign with hopes to be the United States of America's next president, an international leader is gaining traction on ideas based on bigotry in regard to gender and race. He has expressed physical walls being built to keep out an entire group of people from Mexico, there are even mentions of a ban on Mosques or Muslims entering the country if he were to be nominated. The part that really brings me fear is his legitimate place in the running and the unwavering support he is receiving from a large part of a western society one would assume would know right from wrong. Trump is the perfect example of a man, group or nation believing that europeans "know better" than the so called inferior people of a foreign culture or ethnicity. Because of this historical presence of "white privilege"in which we see far too often people of caucasian descent regarding themselves as higher up in the food chain of society because of their superior background historically. There is the unprecedented notion that biological differences in terms of colour, and physical attributes relate directly to a group of peoples skills, intelligence or abilities. This twisted idea of a superior race has shown itself time and time again in both overt and inferential racism. While eurocentrism is not always blatantly racist, the consistent ignorance towards other non-western nations lifestyles and abilities apparent. We may consider ourselves progressive, but let's not lead our selves to believe that eurocentrism and white privilege have no power in our forward-thinking society.
Unfortunately, that is just is the ugly truth.
You have made some relevant points in terms of what this term 'Eurocentrism' actually is. I like that you used Donald Trump as an example. The theorist for this term is by Stuart Hall and would of been good to see relation back to the reading and the academic scholar in which this term came from. Therefore, Eurocentrism by Stuart Hall is an approach that takes European values judgements, beliefs and cultures as norms. You have shown this through your Trump example. But Eurocentrism also makes European values central and dismisses. You have put it nicely and as you say at the end that unfortunately it is the 'ugly truth' of what has happened and/or happening.
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