Nacirema Follow up

Follow up from Yesterday

What did we do?

We read  “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema” by Horace Miner. In this case study, Miner describes the strange customs and rituals of a group called the Nacirema. The case study focuses on how they care for their bodies, visit special “holy-mouth men,” and perform daily routines that seem unusual or extreme to outsiders.

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What does NACIREMA spell? (Backwards)

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When someone judges another culture by the standards of their own culture; thinking their way is the “right” or “normal” way

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When someone attempts to understand a culture based on its own values and beliefs rather than judging it by their own standards.

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Scenario 1: Lunchtime

A new student brings food from home that has a strong smell and looks very different from what most students eat in the cafeteria.

Describe an "ethnocentric" attitude one might have in this situation.

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Scenario 2: Clothing and Dress

A student wears traditional cultural clothing that stands out from typical school attire.

Describe a possible interaction that would be more representative of a "cultural relativist" response

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What lesson do you think Horace Miner was trying to articulate by creating this case study?

Why?

Horace Miner wrote this case study in the 1950s to make readers think more critically about how they view other cultures.
His goal was to challenge the idea that one’s own culture is normal or superior—and to show how easy it is to misjudge another culture when described through unfamiliar language.
By using American life, Miner wanted people to realize that every culture has unique rituals that might seem strange when taken out of context.

What does diversity look like in modern societies?

Cultural diversity also exists within a single society. Smaller groups often develop their own identities, beliefs, and customs that differ from the larger culture. These are known as subcultures. A subculture might form around music, sports, religion, age, or lifestyle— each having distinct styles and values that set them apart while still belonging to the larger culture. Some groups, however, go further by rejecting or opposing the dominant culture’s values. These are called countercultures. Countercultures often challenge mainstream ideas about politics, fashion, or even morality. 

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Subculture: A smaller group within a larger society that shares many of the same values but has its own unique styles, interests, or behaviors

Can you think of a couple examples of current subcultures in the US? What are they and how would you describe their values/beliefs?

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Counterculture: A group that actively rejects or challenges the values and norms of the larger society.

Can you think of one example of counterculture anytime throughout history and explain why this group represents the term.

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Now you'll learn a little bit about subcultures an countercultures in the United States. Get with a partner or two and wait for more directions.