“Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed market economy which has evolved in a rich natural habitat. Special women’s rights are performed only during each lunar month, but what they lack in frequency is made up in barbarity. As a part of this ceremony, women bake their heads in small ovens for about an hour.” We stop and think, ‘Who would put their head in an oven?! These people are weirdoes.’ Too bad these “weirdoes” are actually us. This piece is specifically written to make our every day lives sound like an odd, uncivilized tribe, because the purpose is to prove how quickly we judge. Something that is weird to us may be completely normal to someone else. Who is to claim what is normal?
“At other times they insert magic wands in the supplicant’s mouth or force him to eat substances which are supposed to be healing. From time to time the medicine men come to their clients and jab magically treated needles into their flesh. The fact that these temple ceremonies many not cure, and may even kill the neophyte in no way decreases the people’s faith in the medicine men.” This quote makes it seem as though this “tribe” lacks modern technology and these people focus on physical pain as a ritual. With such strange beliefs, we question how they have managed to live on and continue their lives as if what they do is normal.
This just shows that humans are so closed-minded and ignorant, because this entire piece is written about us, not some savages, but us. The author wrote this piece to appear as strange or odd in order to prove that we are these savages. The only difference is the choice of words in which he uses. If you look back at the writing, the Nacirema is American backwards, along with Notgnihsaw (Washington), and these medicine men are doctors. How something is written and the diction used, really affects how the audience perceives the story. Next time you hear of a strange tribe or culture, think of how silly you felt once you found out the Nacirema was you. Don’t judge others just because they are a little different.
Nice blog Molly!! I especially love the photo of you and your cousins!! You are so amazing!! Luv you!! <3
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I agree with the claim that Molly made in her above blog. Her claim was that the audience and purpose of the “Body Ritual among the Nacirema” by Horace Miner affect the structure and content of the text. I also agree with the claim that us as Americans tend to make snap judgments of people before we really know them. In your blog, you stated, “Something that is weird to us may be completely normal to someone else. Who is to claim what is normal?” I did my first blog over this same piece of writing and we both had the same idea. Not only do you keep the same idea throughout your blog, but you also sum it up very nice at the end with the quote, “Next time you hear of a strange tribe or culture, think of how silly you felt once you found out the Nacirema was you. Don’t judge others just because they are a little different.”
ReplyDeletei agree with Molly's claim that the audience and purpse of the "Body Ritual Amoung the Nacirem" by Horace Miner had a major impact on the structre and content of the entire article. Molly makes the claim that as Americans we tend to make instant snap judgments of people at face value before we really know them. this was c big theme throughout "The Body Ritual Amoung the Nacirema" as well as in Molly's text. So, that makes me believe even more is her assertions. Her selective quote choces help to further support her claims and back up her overall points and opinions. as Grace had mentioned above Molly does an excelletn job of bringing her entire article to a close by saying “Next time you hear of a strange tribe or culture, think of how silly you felt once you found out the Nacirema was you. Don’t judge others just because they are a little different.”
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