Ethnocentrism is defined as belief in the intrinsic superiority of the nation, culture or group to which one belongs, often accompanied by feelings of dislike for other groups (Dictionary.com). While reading In the Eyes of Others, it is apparent that ethnocentrism plays a key role throughout the book. Many different aid organizations are mentioned in the book, but MSF, or Medecins Sans Frontieres, seems to be the most popular one talked about. MSF seems like the type of organization that perfectly fits the definition of ethnocentrism. In the Eyes of Others talks about the flaws of MSF’s program in relation to other aid organizations. It is mentioned that MSF lacked communication and coordination with other international organizations, NGOs, and local associations, and that this is problem that hinders MSF’s work and has an effect on its image, the security of its personnel, access to aid beneficiaries, and the effectiveness of its projects (Abu-Sada 59). I might be going out on a limb when I say this but I believe MSF is purposely keeping to themselves because they think they are better than other aid organizations and don’t want to be associated with them. MSF thinks that they can take care of any problem and solve issues by just utilizing members in their own organization and not branching out.

MSF providing aid to a young boy in Kenya

It is interesting to note the way people receiving aid feel. In the Eyes of Others talks a lot about the other side of humanitarian aid, aka the people who are actually receiving it. Most countries and people asked said that they liked the humanitarian aid given to them and thought it was a big help, but sometimes it was hard to get to the aid. I think if humanitarian aid is going to be given then the organization should travel to the person or village needing the care. If they are needing help then it doesn’t make sense for a person who is crippled in some way to have to go to the aid.

When reading about MSF on the Doctors without Borders website, I found it interesting how unclear it was where MSF came from and its purpose, to people in other countries. It is mentioned that someone in another country that MSF travels to thought they were from Saudi Arabia and financed by Muslim charities (Doctors without Borders). Another thought that it was a China-based corporation, and yet another thought MSF required everyone who enters their medical facilities to be armed (Doctors without Borders). This just goes to show that while MSF may have good intentions in mind, they are not communicating properly with the people they are trying to help.

I think that the United States as a whole can be very ethnocentric when it comes to humanitarian aid. When working in another country, it seems that a lot of Americans don’t consider the circumstances of the country they are visiting. In the U.S. we are very fortunate that we have things such as running water, transportation to go places on a daily basis, and things of this nature. While browsing the internet about the topic of humanitarian aid and ethnocentrism, I came across a personal blog written by someone with service work experience. He brought up a very good point that reinforces my statement about Americans begin ethnocentric in their humanitarian actions. The author of this blog post stated that Americans are so quick to judge the educational system in other countries, and just because parents aren’t sending their children to class for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, we assume that those people are stupid and unintelligent. In other cultures, children are raised to do things such a farm work or house work so they do not need the education that people in a Western culture receive. It would literally be useless to them, yet they are still making a living doing something that is accepted by the culture. It is certainly not frowned upon because farm work can be hard labor, so it’s not like these kids are sitting around watching tv all day, which seems to be the case with many people in America; yet we are so ethnocentric that we don’t see anything wrong with kids being lazy and not doing anything because it is taking place in our country which is apparently better than anyone else. It is a shame that people in America act the way they do. They are so quick to judge someone in another country because their culture is different from ours, yet the same person who is judging is not doing anything about it. They still aren’t helping people in other countries, just adding to the problem by thinking they are superior to everyone else.

I wanted to conclude with a note on the video posted under assignment 5, Arica for Norway. I thought it was very compelling because Africa, as a third world country, is helping another country. I also liked the video because I was unaware of what was happening in Norway. We always associate Africa as having so many problems of their own that other countries are always helping them and not vice versa. However, this video shows that even when a country has many unsolved problems of their own, they are still willing to reach out to others. It is mentioned in the video that in Norway, people are freezing because it is so cold, and one African guy mentions that people can die of frostbite as well and that it is just as important an issue as poverty. It is also really neat that Africa is sending heaters to Norway, because Africa is generally a warmer place so a heater is probably not necessary. Overall, I really liked the video and I hope it opens the eyes of some countries that are a little greedier than Africa.

References:

“In the Eyes of Others: How People in Crises Perceive Humanitarian Aid.” In the Eyes of Others: How People in Crises Perceive Humanitarian Aid. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2013. <http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/book/perceptions/>.

“Ethnocentrism.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 11 June 2013. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethnocentrism>.

“Humanitarian Work Is Ethnocentric and Condecending – INTJ Forum.” Humanitarian Work Is Ethnocentric and Condecending – INTJ Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2013. <http://intjforum.com/showthread.php?t=60301>.

In the Eyes of Others asks us to do exactly what the title says, look at the humanitarian aid system from the perspective of the beneficiaries/clients.

As one reads through the essays and reports in this book the basic social science term “ethnocentrism” seems to take on a new and deeper significance.  I would argue that ethnocentrism can and does show up in many guises in the world of humanitarian aid, and there are many very good commentaries along these lines.

Certainly The Atlantic essay by Teju Cole “White Savior Industrial Complex” and a half decade earlier in William Easterly in White Man’s Burden the themes and hues of ethnocentrism are presented in great depth.

So, what do you make of ethnocentrism as it related to humanitarian aid?  How is aid seen by “others?”  What indeed, do authors like David Jefferess say about human humanitarian relations?  In short, for this post take this simple term -ethnocentrism- you learned in high school, The Global Experience or in an intro social science course and revisit it vis-a-vis humanitarian relations given what you have learned so far in this course.

[Note:  As always, you are expected to read/watch all embedded links.]

Rubric:

• Due by 10:00pm EST June 13th.
• Late posts will be downgraded at least one letter grade.
• Comments to at least two colleague’s posts by  June 15th by 10:00PM EST.
• At least three citations: at least one from text and/or other assigned reading, and at least two from outside academic sources.  Note:  you are to read/watch/listen to all of the material in the hyperlinks in the parent post above; your contact with the material should be apparent in your post.
• List references at the bottom of the page (MLA format).
• At least one photo and/or video link.
• Minimum 0f 500 words (excluding references).
• Grade will be based on quality and quantity of response to the post prompt including adherence to the above benchmarks.
• Keep in mind that you are writing for a broad audience that is educated and interested in this topic; infuse your post with the sociology you are learning/have learned in a non-jargonistic manner

Please check Assignments/Assignment 5 before you Publish.