Did you know that a very pronounced barrier to effective communication between cultures is called ethnocentrism? You might be saying ethno what? Explained by Dr. Fred E. Jandt of California State University, "To be ethnocentric is to believe in the superiority of one' own culture." An extreme condition of this exists in the United States in the aspect of both race relations, and most recently, police and civilian relations. It leads to a rejection of the richness and knowledge of other cultures. It impedes communication and blocks the exchange of ideas and skills among peoples because it excludes other points of view.

When extreme ethnocentrism exists and communication is inhibited, ideas become based solely on perception without an insightful and educated foundation. In this manner of existence, there can be no reasoning between ethnically isolated cultures that produce an effective and lasting complete resolve to conflicts. Consider the issues our county have been recently presented. How can a person or group with a clear conscience, who permits this form of conception, presume to have answers for the conditions experienced by another group or culture incorporated into their conclusions? They can make the attempt, but in all reality, the results will be bias. Not out of spite, but the inability to step outside their convictions and arrest their perceptions to formalize an impartial conclusion. I have been born and guided in my years in a unique manner as I am a product of a Black Father and White Mother, and have existed in both capacities to explore these biased conclusions from culturally isolated minds for 40 years, in many isolated constructs. This sounds a lot like the problems that have existed for centuries in many countries where irrational ideas result in such conflict that civil wars occur.

In the United States, the sounds of Ferguson, New York, even Sanford, Florida, have calmed in footage from the media. But beyond the cameras, there exists everyday struggles and many more incidents occurring that are a result of extreme ethnocentrism and a severe lack of cultural understanding due to the inability to perceive soundly cultural perceptions of the incidents to derive morally progressive solutions.

The answer to these cultural conflicts does not reside in continual debates of who is to be blamed or a mass generalization that produces more “them versus us” rants. The answer lies is more people practicing the art of suspending their disbelief to effectively understand through listening, an opposing view enough for it to resonant. From there, a rational review of ideas presented must be measured through more universal moral means, meaning more use of philosophical conclusions of morality rather than religious dogmatic convictions that may tend to alienate the listener or presenter of the idea. A belief in a Deity and the democratic process is very beneficial, but neither political nor religious views can generate a universal answer that serves the needs of the many, but rather, it may only satisfy the few. And finally, a rational agreement or acceptance that has in it a more universal resolve. Always agreeing to disagree does not promote sound resolve. At some point, one has to accept errors in conclusions and allow the better resolve of the other, to be the standing conclusion.

And finally, how is this process to occur? It must take place amongst individual encounters of everyday persons and people like me, facilitating the discussions in black and white in mediums such as intimate group settings, and mediating the fair answers. Protests are a great beginning to bring notice to the problem, but in-depth qualitative understanding on all accounts must follow. The onus falls upon every member of humanity to view every problem resulting from a cultural clash from a perspective that is without bias. From there, every member of humanity should be looking at the most unselfish conclusion without keeping in reserve any past conditions of cultural conflict and the resulting emotions, from influencing the results in an effort to guide the best interests of humanity and not just one cultural group of people.

The problems in our country are readily identifiable. The incidents that occur are random and cannot be specifically predicted, but the circumstances that exist facilitating their occurrence is readily seen. The time is now to be vigilant in solving cultural clashes due to ethnocentrism. I boldly speak about these issues before every audience I am presenting for and the results of the discussions created are outstanding. I write about these issues in a manner that is understandable in my books and magazine articles. Use me or my writings to help you.

Charles M. Harper Sr.
www.freemsonryinblackandwhite.com