Although
I usually say "I am a person who understands diverse cultures", I was
flabbergasted by the body rituals done by the Nacirema. What I wrote about this
particular essay, <The Body Rituals Among The Nacirema> was that I could
not understand why these kind of actions are done and also that I realized
there still are people who act out rituals somewhat similar to the ones done by
the ancient Mayans. I thought these people are cruel, worthy of criticism and should
be rather, say, civilized. I felt sorry for these people, thinking that they
met the wrong culture that made themselves suffer.
Unfortunately, I was one of the foolish. It turned out, the Nacirema was
no other tribe but word made up to symbolize the American people. My first
thought of figuring this out is that I misinterpreted the entire passage, and that
I should take back what I said. However on my second thought, I realized that I
was right. American people really are just like how Horace Miner portrays. American
people are highly reliant on actions that from a alien, will probably look
strange. Paying to change their outer looks, amputating a leg because it is not
usable. Other ironic things, such as paying to go to health clubs and at the
same time denying the existence of stairs.
I
recognized, as I learned the true meaning of Nacirema, that I was not much of a
understanding person. I figured that I am the same as any other man, having an
unreasonable rejection towards new and awkward customs. However, the correct
interpretation of the passage did not necessarily teach me cultural relativism.
It simply made me think on the fact that people across the globe might not
picture our own, Naerok's culture as the most desirable. Eventually, I learned
that we do not have the right to criticize other people's cultures.
