Does Ethnocentrism In 'The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down'

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I believe that Ethnocentrism played a huge role in story “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman like when in the Hmong's refugee camp where they believe that the doctors and “nurses at Ban Vinai failed to win the cooperation of the camp inhabitants because they considered the relationship one-sided, with the Westerners holding all the knowledge. As long as they persisted in this view, Conquergood believed that what the medical establishment was offering would continue to be rejected, since the Hmong would view it not as a gift but as a form of coercion”(Fediman, 2012, p. 37). The westerners believe that they had all the answers which made them think they were superior then the Hmongs. However here's a thought they have survived way before westerners introduced they way of thinking and providing services. No it wasn't just exhibited by one culture like how Lia's mom and dad diagnosed the spirit catches you and you fall down, they believed this is what was happening to their daughter because of their beliefs and heritage. …show more content…
If the staff at the hospital noticed that a patient or the family of the patient looks like they don't understand you should bring in an interpreter to see if they may need more assistance understanding paper work, what they are diagnosed with and what medications they need to take. Also to see what they believe is wrong with their child or the patient cause sometimes parents and family members have a feeling of whats wrong. I think that in the story the professionals should if tried to find someone who bilingual in Hmong and English. The hospital administration should have found a way to help Lia's family more then what they
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