Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re-Negative Postiing

In my assessment, sociologically and anthropologically, no society or community can function without norms. Norms in sociological and anthropological sense are forms of gate-keeping. Without them, communities cannot function well, whether such communities are utopias of the right or utopias of the left.. 

We can talk about norms that are either comprehensive or not, fair or unfair, just or unjust, etc. But on the question of whether communities starting from small groups to larger organizations can function without gate-keeping (i.e., normative control), the answer is no. There are many research studies in social psychology about how groups function. Even when they have great potentials, laissez faire type groups always end up being unproductive. 

 Norms are what help us make sense of what we see or hear etc. when we relate to each other. Unfortunately no one has the monopoly of the capacity to insult another even when the person can come up with a justification for their use of the language. Language is not own by one person but by a community of people. In many contexts, to be able to communicate in a very civil manner even under deliberate provocation is a great sign of self-control. 

So from an anthropological and sociological point of view, the idea of living in a real world without some gate-keeping is utopian even if it may initially appear desirable. As I said, we can debate whether the gate-keeping is fair or just etc, but we cannot afford to live without one.

Samuel

On Sat, Apr 4, 2015 at 9:40 PM, Chidi Anthony Opara <chidi.opara@gmail.com> wrote:

As a person, I detest all forms of gatekeepers' mentality and unilaterally declaring other people's post here, negative or positive is one of such.

CAO.

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Samuel Zalanga
Department of Anthropology, Sociology & Reconciliation Studies
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive #24
Saint Paul, MN 55112.
Office Phone: 651-638-6023

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