How Does Ethnocentrism Affect Self Concept

I just witnessed a heroin addict purchase another’s vomit in order to obtain a high while in county jail. I thought that I could never look down at another human being in such disgust, as I am doing now. Being an addict myself and growing up with the foundations that I did, helped me understand that sometimes judging people or situations for what they really are can have a positive effect and help you grow as a person. The way you judge other groups and compare them to your own culture is called “ethnocentrism” If you break it down, “ethno” refers to “ethnic” and “centro” refers to the central starting point. I am going to dissect the way ethnocentrism has inadvertently affected my self-concept in a positive and negative way. I will explain why I do not think very highly of myself but how I am changing for the better. Lastly, I will explain how social hierarchy has positively changed and effected my self-perception.
Growing up I was told that no one is better than anyone and that God created us all equally. I believed this for some time. I also witnessed my mother judge crack heads for breaking into our house, stealing what little we had and be called scum of the earth. My stepmother who is highly religious told …show more content…
When I was in my world of addiction, I thought that every culture around me had a certain disgust for me. Once I broke the cycle of addiction I realized that I am no better or worse than any class of humans, but I can rise above the situation that I no longer see as culturally acceptable. After years of addiction, I ranked myself as nothing; after progressing from drug addiction, I obtained a sense of self-worth due to judging someone in my same social class. I don’t care how morally high or low a person you consider yourself, you will always consider a certain class or culture is better or worse than yours. Go ahead, be ethnocentric it could save your life. I saved