At the end of the article, I am not surprised that Naciremah is American spelled back to front. Or could it just be a coincidence? Body Ritual among the Nacirema is not only surprising but also shocking and amusing all at the same time. The reading exposes the uncivilized and undeveloped natives of America. Miner seemingly addresses the self-centeredness of every man, every woman, and every child in America. Miner focuses on the perceived flaws that are often exhibited in man’s day to day life, the negative synergy that brings forth a constructive social phenomenon. I believe that many Americans are natives of Nacirema natives. I have felt ashamed and amused at the raw portrayal of such magnitude.
The author is keen on evoking shock and exposes some silly cultural practices practiced by natives of Americans. Many a time, Americans think that they are far ahead of the others, but in reality, the nationalities are just similar. Americans idealize strange concepts in the name of beauty, technology, and science with the attempt to fit in the global society. The same way some cultures believe that a pieced mouth is beauty, or a stretched back is pure art, so do we also have our peculiar habits buried deep in our perceptions. However, Miner’s use of sophisticated language makes him seem to originate from a very advanced social grouping. The article appears like a blockbuster movie, with a distinguished anthropological view.
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Above all else, the article reminds the ordinary American that if stripped off all location and race, humanity is all the same. In many ways, we may think that this is an extreme cultural attribute, but the reality is that the world over, we all the same. Even though we may believe that our “rightness” is all we have, in another cultural view, it is absurd and extreme. The reading is just a reminder that we all need to keep a clear perspective and understanding of the cultural study of human groupings.
