Cultural Aggression: Poisoning Our Cultural Roots

Aggression is an innate impulse that cultures have traditionally served to control. However, cultural aggression, a phenomenon perpetrated by dominant cultures, involves the imposition of their values, beliefs, and practices on marginalized or minority cultures. This can include imposing language, religion, and social norms, which can lead to the loss of cultural identity, psychological harm, and social inequality. Cultural aggression has been pervasive throughout history, from the Roman Empire to colonialism, and continues today with the spread of Western culture and globalization. The impact of cultural aggression can be immense and long-lasting, as marginalized cultures struggle to reclaim their cultural heritage and sovereignty. To address this issue, it is essential to recognize its existence, understand its mechanisms, and work towards preserving and valuing cultural diversity.

Dominant cultures imposing their values, beliefs, and practices on marginalised groups

Cultural aggression can be understood as the dominant culture imposing its values, beliefs, and practices on marginalised groups. This imposition can manifest in various forms, including direct coercion and structural constraints, ultimately hindering the ability of marginalised groups to practice and promote their own culture. Dominant cultures hold more power and influence in society, often shaping the norms and values that are widely accepted as "normal" or "superior". This power dynamic can be observed through various dimensions, including religion, language, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Dominant cultures exert their influence in multiple ways, impacting the social landscape and marginalised communities. One way is through cultural racism, where behaviours and values associated with the dominant societal group, often the White majority, are considered inherently better or more desirable than those of subordinate groups. This dynamic perpetuates internalised racism and reinforces racialised ideals and assumptions within cultural norms and values. For example, in patriarchal structures, women from marginalised communities may face societal pressures to conform to specific norms of modesty and plainness, as seen in some societies like Mexico, Afghanistan, and Israel.

Another way dominant cultures impose their values is by influencing institutions such as education, governance, business, law, and communication. These institutions play a pivotal role in shaping societal norms and practices. When dominated by a particular cultural group, these institutions can perpetuate specific values and beliefs while marginalising alternative perspectives. This dominance can lead to the oppression of minority cultures and limit their representation and participation in various spheres.

Furthermore, dominant cultures can shape collective beliefs and expectations, contributing to the marginalisation of certain groups. Stereotypes, for instance, are blanket beliefs and expectations about members of specific groups, often based on oversimplified and prejudiced attitudes. Stereotypes contribute to structural racism, which advantages Whites while producing adverse outcomes for people of colour. This dynamic further entrenches the power of the dominant culture and perpetuates a cycle of marginalisation and oppression.

To counter these issues, it is essential to recognise the diverse social positions of marginalised groups and the structural constraints they face. Efforts towards cultural equity aim to create and prioritise opportunities for equal access and success for these marginalised populations, particularly in educational settings. Additionally, understanding cultural marginalisation as a deliberate distancing from dominant cultures can empower groups to assert their cultural identity and resist the imposition of external values and beliefs.

The spread of Western values and norms through globalisation

Globalization has been a force for the spread of Western values and norms, with some arguing that it is a form of Westernization, or the spread and adoption of Western culture. This has been a growing influence over the last few centuries, impacting areas such as industry, technology, science, education, politics, economics, lifestyle, law, norms, customs, traditions, values, mentality, perceptions, diet, clothing, language, writing systems, religion, and philosophy.

Westernization is often regarded as a part of the ongoing process of globalization, with Western thought leading to globalization, and globalization, in turn, propagating Western culture. This has resulted in the spread of largely Western government systems, such as democracy and constitutions, as well as technologies and customs like music, clothing, and cars, to various parts of the world. These have been adopted and localized in traditionally non-Western countries. For example, the spread of Western bridal photography in Taiwan, which has been adapted to suit local desires and social norms.

However, the idea that globalization equals Westernization has been criticized as a misdiagnosis. Globalization has occurred throughout history, often in the opposite direction (from East to West), and has contributed to progress through travel, trade, migration, the spread of cultural influences, and the dissemination of knowledge. For instance, the spread of paper, the printing press, gunpowder, and other innovations from China during the time of the last millennium. Similarly, the decimal system, which originated in India, influenced Western mathematics and played a role in the scientific revolution in Europe.

While Westernization has been a notable force, it is not the only influence in a globalized world. The spread of ideas and practices does not have to entail Westernization, and global interactions have resulted in contributions from many different parts of the world. For example, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution, which occurred mainly in Europe and America, drew on experiences and influences from beyond the West.

Globalization has led to a divergence of values globally, with values emphasizing tolerance and self-expression differing most sharply between high-income Western countries and the rest of the world. However, geographic proximity has also emerged as a strong correlate of value similarity, indicating that while values have diverged globally, they have converged regionally.

The loss of cultural identity and sovereignty

Cultural aggression refers to the practice of dominant cultures imposing their values, beliefs, and practices on marginalized or minority cultures. This can include the imposition of language, religion, and social norms, often resulting in the loss of cultural identity and sovereignty for the subjugated group.

One of the most well-known examples of cultural aggression is colonialism. During the age of exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, European powers such as Spain, Portugal, and England began colonizing lands across the globe, imposing their language, religion, and customs on indigenous populations. The impact of this cultural aggression can still be seen today, as many formerly colonized nations and indigenous communities continue to struggle to reclaim their cultural identity and sovereignty. For instance, the forced assimilation of Native American children into boarding schools in the United States and Canada during the 19th century was an attempt to "civilize" Indigenous children by erasing their language, culture, and traditions. The trauma inflicted by this cultural aggression has been passed down through generations, and many Indigenous people are still fighting to reclaim their cultural heritage.

The spread of Islam in the 7th century is another example of cultural aggression, as it led to the imposition of the Arabic language and Islamic culture on the lands it conquered. Similarly, the Roman Empire used its military power to conquer and assimilate neighboring cultures, often forcing them to adopt Roman culture, language, and religion.

In the modern era, the rise of globalization and the dominance of Western culture have facilitated the spread of Western values and norms worldwide. This has particularly impacted traditional cultures in developing countries, as Westernization often leads to the erosion of local practices and the adoption of Western values. The spread of Western popular culture through media and entertainment industries and the rise of cultural appropriation further contribute to the loss of cultural identity and sovereignty for many communities.

Cultural aggression has far-reaching consequences, including the loss of cultural identity, psychological harm, social inequality, and injustice. It is a pervasive phenomenon that has affected millions of people throughout history and continues to impact marginalized communities today.

The impact of cultural aggression on psychological harm and social inequality

Cultural aggression refers to the practice of dominant cultures imposing their values, beliefs, customs, and practices on marginalised or minority cultures. This can take many forms, such as imposing language, religion, and social norms, and has been a pervasive phenomenon throughout history. An example of this is colonialism, where European powers imposed their language, religion, and customs on indigenous populations during the age of exploration. This type of cultural aggression has had lasting impacts, with formerly colonised nations still struggling to reclaim their cultural identity and sovereignty.

The impact of cultural aggression can result in psychological harm and social inequality. On the individual level, cultural aggression can lead to a loss of cultural identity and self-worth. People may experience feelings of inferiority and shame about their own culture, which can result in internalised oppression and self-hatred. This can manifest as depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. For example, the forced assimilation of Native American children into boarding schools in the United States and Canada was an attempt to "civilise" Indigenous children by erasing their language, culture, and traditions. The trauma inflicted by this cultural aggression has been intergenerational, with many Indigenous people still struggling with its effects.

Cultural aggression also contributes to social inequality and injustice. When a dominant culture imposes its values and beliefs on others, it creates a power imbalance that favours the dominant group. This can lead to systemic discrimination, where the marginalised group faces barriers and biases in areas such as education, employment, and social mobility. Their access to resources and opportunities becomes limited, perpetuating social and economic inequalities.

Furthermore, cultural aggression can foster division and conflict between different cultural groups. When a dominant culture suppresses or fails to recognise the value of other cultures, it creates an "us versus them" mentality, perpetuating stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. This can lead to social segregation, exclusion, and even violence.

To address these issues, it is essential to recognise the harmful impacts of cultural aggression and actively promote cultural diversity and inclusion. This involves respecting and valuing the unique contributions of different cultures, ensuring equal representation and opportunities for all cultural groups, and fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

On an individual level, education plays a crucial role in combating cultural aggression. Teaching children about different cultures, promoting cultural empathy, and encouraging the celebration of cultural diversity can help foster open-mindedness and reduce prejudice. Additionally, individuals can actively learn about and support the preservation of cultural traditions, languages, and practices that are at risk of being eroded by dominant cultures.

Historical examples of cultural aggression: colonialism and imperialism

Cultural imperialism, also known as cultural colonialism, refers to the cultural dimensions of imperialism. It involves the use of cultural aspects such as language, tradition, ritual, politics, and economics to establish and maintain unequal social and economic relationships. This often involves the imposition of one's culture on another, suppressing the indigenous culture and establishing a system of cultural hegemony.

Roman Empire

The expansion of the Roman Empire provides early examples of cultural imperialism. During the Pax Romana, the Romans achieved peace and stability in conquered territories through a unified legal system, technological advancements, and infrastructure development. However, this peace came at the cost of forced acculturation, as the Romans imposed their laws, language, and culture on the diverse populations they conquered.

Spanish Influence in Latin America

The conquest of the Aztec Empire by Hernán Cortés in the 16th century marked the beginning of Spanish cultural aggression in Latin America. The Spanish suppressed Mesoamerican culture, forbidding indigenous people from practicing their traditions while forcing them to adopt the Spanish language and convert to Christianity.

British Rule in India

British colonialism in India resulted in cultural aggression, with the imposition of British laws, education, and cultural values on the Indian population. This included the English language and the establishment of educational institutions that promoted British values and traditions, often at the expense of indigenous knowledge systems.

Americanization and Global Influence

The United States has been accused of cultural imperialism through the mass export of American films, music, clothing, and food to other countries. This has led to concerns about the "Americanization" of other cultures, threatening local traditions and ways of life. Additionally, the influence of major multimedia conglomerates, such as Paramount, WarnerMedia, and Google, has contributed to the spread of American culture and values globally.

Canadian Treatment of Indigenous Peoples

Canada's treatment of its indigenous peoples, particularly the First Nations, has been criticized as cultural imperialism. The passing of "The Indian Act" in 1876 established a separate and unequal form of government specifically for the First Nations, reinforcing their subjugation and cultural erasure.

These examples illustrate how cultural aggression, in the form of colonialism and imperialism, has polluted cultures throughout history by imposing dominant cultures, suppressing indigenous knowledge and practices, and creating unequal social and economic relationships.

Frequently asked questions