Clueless: On Ethnocentrism
- Richard Selke
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
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During seminary, I took a course on cross-cultural leadership. My professor asked us to write a paper about our cultural identity journey – an autobiographical reflection on how our background had shaped the way we see the world and people from other cultural groups.
As I sat down to write, I assumed that I was fairly culturally aware and I wanted my professor to see me as “one of the good guys.” At the time, conversations about race and culture often felt charged, and I didn’t want to be misunderstood.
So I reflected on my experiences with people from different backgrounds and cultures. I described what I thought I had learned. But along the way, I made a critical mistake – I spoke in broad generalizations, assuming that certain groups naturally possessed certain traits or abilities. In one paragraph I made the following observation:
“As a real estate developer, I hired artisans from specific cultural groups because
of their implied skills. Black people are good brick layers. Hispanics are great stone
masons and tile layers – they have an incredible innate sense of level. Germans are
precision trim carpenters and cabinet makers.”
I thought I was being insightful. In reality, I was revealing how much I still had to learn.
When my paper was returned, there was no grade – just a short note written in the margin:
“I’m black and I can’t lay bricks – see me!”
That moment stopped me cold.
What followed was a conversation I will never forget. Instead of shaming me, my professor responded with grace, humor and truth. He helped me see what I could not see on my own.
What I was experiencing has a name – “ethnocentrism.” Sociologists define “ethnocentrism” as the application of one’s own culture or ethnicity as a frame of reference to judge other cultures, practices, behaviors, beliefs and people. Since this judgment is often negative, some people also use the term to refer to the belief that one’s culture is superior to, or more correct or normal than, all others. From a Christian perspective, ethnocentrism can be more than a cultural issue. It is a reflection of our fallen tendency to elevate ourselves and diminish others. It is, at its core, a heart issue.
As humans raised in a diversity of cultures, we are all ethnocentric. We all tend to see the world through the lens of our culture of origin. That’s okay so long as we are aware of that tendency. And there lies the problem – sometimes we aren’t aware – we’re clueless. We just can’t help it!
That was me. I was clueless.
After a humbling conversation in which he extended the utmost mercy and love, my professor gave me the opportunity to rewrite my paper. That second chance meant more than just a better grade – it marked a turning point on how I saw others and myself. It reminded me that God meets us in our blindness, not to condemn us, but to transform us.
Our world often gravitates toward division. It reduces people to categories that are easy to label, compare and sometimes oppose. However, the Bible proclaims that we are all God’s children. Every human is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The apostle Paul writes, “From one man he made all the nations” (Acts 17:26), and later, “You are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). This does not erase our differences – it redeems them. We are called to see one-another as image-bearers of God, worthy of dignity, love and grace.
Humanity is wonderfully diverse, just as all of God’s creation is diverse. Our differences are not accidents; they are part of God’s design. They are gifts to be appreciated and cherished, not weapons to be used against one another. And we are stronger because of our diversity.
The truth is that my identity in Christ is not just one part of who I am – it is the foundation of everything. Before I am anything else – before race, culture or nationality – I am a child of God.
And so are you.
We are all children of God. We are all citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
When we begin to see one another through that lens, something changes. Walls begin to come down. Assumptions lose their grip. Grace has room to grow.
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, we are all one in Christ Jesus!
QUESTIONS
Where might you be seeing others through a limited lens? How might God be inviting you to see more clearly?
PRAYER
Lord, open our eyes to see others as You see them. Reveal the places where our understanding is limited or shaped by assumption. Replace judgment with compassion, and pride with humility. Teach us to love across every boundary, just as You have loved us.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24, ESV
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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