Making a Better Cultural Cake

On Friday, we started looking at the ingredients of culture.  I think we made it as far as food, dress and language.  Today we made it a little farther, getting through religion, the arts, and customs.  So, I guess that puts us up to 6 of the 10 I list for class.

I entitled this post, "Making a Better Cake" because if you don't have enough of the correct ingredients, the cake is probably not going to be that good.  Our view of culture is expanding. 

Most importantly, we studied ethnocentrism in a little more detail.  Ethnocentrism is not limited to racism.  Any of the ingredients of culture can be subject to prejudice.  Generally speaking, any time we are offended, it can be tied to our culture.

In order to get the extra credit for reading and discussing the blog today, students should discuss the following questions with the adult they read it with:

• How important is it to be culturally sensitive?  Why?
• Has negative ethnocentrism ever been directed at you?
• Have you ever been ethnocentric?
• What is the difference between showing preference and being ethnocentric?  (For instance, someone might prefer Indian food over French food - does that make them ethnocentric?)

When you're done, write 3 sentences/ thoughts from your discussion on a scrap of paper.  Have the adult sign the paper.  Put it in the extra credit tray tomorrow.