American Literature

    Eurocentrism is a practice in the world where people belief in European culture, values and perspectives. This practice was common in late 20th century during decolonization period. People who believe in Eurocentrism copy European culture, dress code, lifestyle and other practices. Basically, it is taking Europe as the driving force all over the world and that for human beings to progress they should be westernized. Eurocentrism makes individual to perceive things as per European history, culture, religion and language.

Individuals judge others through cultural practices, religious beliefs, ethnic background, language identity and national background. Accordingly, other cultures are considered as inferior to European way of life and this has made many individuals to abandon their own ethnic background to western culture. However, this is a mental perception by non-Europeans as they believe that their way of life is less civilized, modern, equal and relevant. The main claims of Eurocentric world view are that an individuals or personal way of life is different from others. This means that changes in individuals is usually arbitrary and occur to meet immediate objectives (OUS, 2003). The highest value of life usually lies in acquisition of the object and this claim of Eurocentrism is reflected when individuals have a sole objective of getting westernized.

Individuals have the role to control and dominate nature because there is separateness between humans and nature. Eurocentrism beliefs in the principle of survival for the fittest and this claim are centered o the aspect of maximum utilization of resources within the surrounding of man. Competition, dichotomy, individual rights and independence are the other basic values that a man is supposed to strive so as to achieve.  

Afrocentrism
Afrocentrism is a term that emphasizes on the importance of African people that are usually taken as black people in history, culture, race and philosophy. The origin of Afrocentrism can be traced from repression of Black people through the Western world since 19th century. At the time of colonial period, Europeans who had travelled to Africa met individuals with elementary technology.
The Africans embraced self appraisal, technology, culture and industrialization.
The Europeans considered themselves as superior to cultural practices and people they encountered in Africa.  Afrocentrists contended that Eurocentrism contributed to neglect and denial of African people especially their contributions. The modern Afrocentricity originates from the work of African Diaspora intellectuals. Social changes in United States and Africa in the early 20th century that led to end of slavery and colonization was the beginning of Afrocentrism. The Africans wanted to establish their own identities and distinguish their achievements from the influence of European people (Wells, 2004).

African Americans established their own church congregations, formed their own communities, were very much concerned about the importance of education and took active public roles. This was excellently achieved despite the presence of segregation and discrimination. Africentrism can be associated with political movement of the Black historians, intellectuals and politicians in the context of US civil rights movement.

Afrocentrism is centered around certain claims and beliefs such as the value of human life lies in interpersonal relationships between men, an individual is supposed to live in harmony with nature, human beings should utilize materials within their surrounding in an appropriate way, a man should strive to achieve key values in life such as cooperation, interdependence and collective responsibility.