SOCIO-CULTURAL INCLUSION AS OPPOSED TO OTHERIZATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON HUMANITY

Abstract

Human beings are called social animals. They love being included within the group they find themselves and abhor socio-cultural exclusion. As opposed to the culture of exclusion, group influence is learnt, developed and strengthened within the culture of inclusion, hence, the principle of Ubuntu - “I am because we are.” However, within the culture of exclusion, certain key concepts are systematically maintained: “They and us” or “we and them” or “our gain or their gain.” These concepts unjustly put the “other” outside the circle of insiders and tag them with derogatory names. Using qualitative method, this work highlights the ethno-tribal sentiments in Nigeria cum Africa, the criminalization of Africans in Europe, and the ill-effects of ethnophaulism on the individual as well as on the society. It also found out that otherization is assumed to be normal by many ethnic groups. It recommends conscious relearning of the principles of inclusion. It recommends the culture of inclusion because it leads to development, while exclusion tears the community apart. It raises some research questions. Why is inclusion better than exclusion? How can inclusive culture be nurtured?