Cultural Relativism and the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a major victory for the civil rights movement and helped to create a more just and equitable society. However, the implementation of the Civil Rights Act encountered resistance from pro-segregation leaders who called for the preservation of “traditional values.”

Cultural relativism is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the importance of understanding cultures from their own perspectives. It suggests that there is no such thing as a universal moral standard, and that what is considered right or wrong varies from culture to culture.

Prejudice and Hate as “Traditional Values”

In the context of the Civil Rights Act, pro-segregation leaders argued that racial segregation was a traditional value that should be preserved. They claimed that segregation was necessary to maintain social order and to protect the purity of the white race.

Cultural relativism can help us to understand how prejudice and hate can be seen as “traditional values” in certain cultures. For example, in a culture where racial segregation is the norm, individuals who are socialized in that culture may come to believe that segregation is right and that those who oppose it are wrong.

Implications for Today’s Understanding of Values, Culture, Gender, and Race

Cultural relativism can also help us to understand how values, culture, gender, and race are interrelated. For example, in many cultures, traditional values are associated with male dominance and female submission. This can lead to discrimination against women and girls, who may be denied opportunities to education, employment, and political participation.

Similarly, cultural relativism can help us to understand how racism is often justified by appealing to traditional values. For example, in the United States, white supremacy groups often claim that they are fighting to preserve “traditional American values.” However, these values are often based on a distorted and romanticized view of the past, and they ignore the fact that the United States was founded on the principles of liberty and equality for all.

Cultural Relativism and the Fight Against Discrimination

It is important to note that cultural relativism does not mean that we must accept all cultural values. In fact, many cultural values are harmful and unjust. For example, we should not accept cultural values that justify violence, oppression, or discrimination.

However, cultural relativism can help us to understand why certain values are held by certain groups of people. It can also help us to develop more effective strategies for combating discrimination. For example, if we understand why pro-segregation leaders in the United States valued racial segregation, we can better develop strategies for challenging their views.

Conclusion

Cultural relativism is a valuable tool for understanding prejudice and hate as “traditional values.” It can also help us to understand how values, culture, gender, and race are interrelated. While we should not accept all cultural values, cultural relativism can help us to develop more effective strategies for combating discrimination.

Here are some specific examples of how cultural relativism can be used to understand prejudice and hate as “traditional values” in the context of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

• Religion: Some pro-segregation leaders used religious arguments to justify their opposition to the Civil Rights Act. For example, they claimed that the Bible supported racial segregation. Cultural relativism can help us to understand how these leaders were able to use religious values to justify their discriminatory views.
• Tradition: Pro-segregation leaders also appealed to traditional values to justify their opposition to the Civil Rights Act. For example, they claimed that racial segregation was a traditional Southern value that should be preserved. Cultural relativism can help us to understand how these leaders were able to use traditional values to justify their discriminatory views.
• Fear: Pro-segregation leaders also played on people’s fears to justify their opposition to the Civil Rights Act. For example, they claimed that the integration of schools would lead to violence and chaos. Cultural relativism can help us to understand how these leaders were able to use fear to justify their discriminatory views.

Here are some specific examples of how cultural relativism can help us to understand today’s understanding of values, culture, gender, and race:

• Gender roles: Cultural relativism can help us to understand how gender roles vary from culture to culture. For example, in some cultures, men are expected to be the breadwinners and women are expected to be the caregivers. In other cultures, gender roles are more fluid. Cultural relativism can help us to challenge traditional gender roles and to promote gender equality.
• Race: Cultural relativism can help us to understand how race is a social construct. It can also help us to understand how racism is often justified