Why can't the US accept multiculturalism like all the advanced nations?

Answer 1

Wealth breeds complacency. People that are well off and comfortable want to know that they can stay that way and be able to believe that they really do deserve it whereas others might not.

Due to America's history as the superpower that stood in juxtaposition to the communist USSR, economic theorists with a socialist bent would be shunned (although America is no longer openly anti-socialist the current socialist voices are still ignored); losing them as a moderating influence on the more nationalistic ones. And so Americas economy focused inward. Foreign policy became subject to domestic economic policy

The advancing trends seen in Britain, France and Australia, all known for having a socialist bent to their politics, were ignored. Pax America had been born and the imperialism that everyone thought ended thankfully with WWII actually continued, albeit in an economic rule. Vassal states were subjugated for their trade.

With the collapse of the soviet union it was viewed that capitalism had triumphed. The public view on other countries became "If they were to set up a democratically elected government it would fix their problems" (Unfortunately for many former SSR countries it's made things worse because the transition has been made too quickly). The fact that the balance of trade was severly tipped was overlooked; both sides came back winners didn't they?

Regarding multiculturalism America viewing itself as the bastion of democracy defends it vehemently. Democracy, that of the majority calling the shots, became the yardstick to which all views were to conform. The majority view became representative of the whole leading to "Liberty and justice for all" being replaced by "Liberty and justice for the most of us." The voice of the minority remains a minority and is even suppressed for fear of it replacing the majority (which would be an attack on democracy- the majority).

To acknowledge the Asian worker who makes $7 a day would have to take one of several froms:
1) That "we" are better than them (ignore multiculturalism)
2) That "we" deserve what we get and they should earn more and should migrate here (accept multiculturalism)
3) That it's all relative and $7 a day is pretty good over there (ignore reality)
4) That "we" deserve what we get and they should earn more and we should bring them democracy to fix the problem (also ignoring reality)

To accept multiculturalism would then be to open the doors and let everything balance itself out (8$ a day??). Who's gonna vote for that? I could probably go on about immigration but I've probably said enough.

America can't accept multiculturalism because there is no place for it in it's policy.
I can't point the finger too much though... other "advanced" nations still leave a fair bit to be desired.

Jennyee: Australia- Most multicultural country in the world (Israel's number 2 but as far as accepting goes... but then that's a complicated issue)
also on the list of more accepting countries: France (politically most fair handed), Britain, Czech Republic (most Beer drank so of course they're accepting), India (they put up with the Brits for years), New Zealand (puts up with the Aussies), Canada, South Korea (least multicultural country in the world) and Iraq (last two have put up with a lot from America). The list goes on... (A lot of europe seems accepting but scratch the surface and you find that they've been taught the theory of tolerence but it doesn't necessarily mean much)

Runtoli: Multiculturalism isn't driving God out of America. That's just the excuse given because people don't want to think about Him and that they are responsible for the way they use what he has given them. God is viewed as a threat to the quality of life just as much as multiculturalism. He stirs up the status quo by demonstrating love and that is a very dangerous thing...

edit: ok going on the response of everyone that thought that America is the most multicultural country, that France is all about riots, Germans have nothing but skinheads, Brits hate Muslims and I'm sure someone'd mention Cronulla given a chance, ignorance seems to be a LARGE contributing factor.
The only comments that seem to be missing are the cliched "They hate us for our freedom" (France is as free as you can get and they hate you too) and "but the US gives so much in foreign aid" (one of the lowest per capita of all western nations).

Answer 2

so we can't accept multiculturalism? So all the people in this country just popped out of the ground like crops? Maybe the largest mass immigration ever never took place after all. Maybe we have been lied to all along about where all the Americans came from! Maybe my family didn't immigrate to this country in the late 1800's, early 1900's! Maybe all of the people were already here and they were forced to draw straws to see who would be the "natives" and who would be the "settlers". Maybe it is a global conspiracy to hide the fact that we are actually all alien pod people and that when we die, we really are just being replanted in the ground so that we may be re used in a different era! Maybe this question has to be one of the most baseless ones I have ever heard! For the love of pete! This country was built by many different cultures! The industrial revolution was powered by immigrants! If it wasn't for the millions that showed up between 1840 and 1920, we wouldn't have many of the luxuries that we enjoy today. Stop being silly...
Edit: Also, I hate when people say that we stole the Mexican's land. Look at the facts... The Spanish showed up and almost wiped out the true Mexicans and stole thier land! The U.S. just stole it from the Spanish. Yes I know... Either way it's stolen property, but I'm pretty sure that if you go further back, the true Mexicans stole it from another civilization and so forth and so on until you get to the dinos fighting over a watering hole...
Editedit: Lawrence... step out of your ivory coastal tower! Maybe if you left your over priced apartment you would realize that there are people in the "middle america" you speak of with more educational background and world experience than you could ever hope to have... don't be snobby...

Answer 3

Multiculturalism and immigration are two different issues, so I really don't know why you are lumped into the immigration category.

America doesn't have a problem with multiculturalism, for without it, we wouldn't exist. Very few people in the U.S. can say their ancestry is native to this country. However, there IS a problem with immigration. We have so many people living illegally in our country, not paying taxes, and, yes, coming here in the name of whatever nation and god they serve to attack us. Just because we've chosen to protect ourselves doesn't mean that we have issues with multiculturalism, and to imply that we do demonstrates a need to do your homework.

Now I'm going to cut loose and let some emotion take over, because I am SO sick of my country getting bashed. I'd like to know who in the world these so-called "advanced nations" are. Korea? China? Iran? France? Give me a break already and get off our backs. We're the first ones people scream for when they need help (financial, military, humanitarian aid, etc.) and when we help, they talk down about us and treat us like trash. If we quit helping the rest of the world and truly shut everyone out, and if we showed true issues of multiculturalism by tossing out those who are here illegally and focused only on ourselves like these "advanced nations" do, there would be more issues than you could count. I'm very proud that I am an American, and I am very proud of my varied, multicultural ancestry!

Answer 4

The US accepts multiculturism better than any other advanced nation except Canada.

Answer 5

Yeah, all the advanced nations accept it.

Germany spent years trying to get Turkish "guest workers" out.

France loves its north African imigres so much that the latter spent a good part of last spring prodigiously burning cars (presumably to say thank you for the second rate housing and poverty line existance).

Japan is widely reputed to be one of the most racist cultures in the world.

Russia is trying to keep its own minority populations from boiling over.

Mexico is known to treat future US illegal immigrants abysmally while they pass through on their way from Central or South America.

Moslem extremists hold sway over members of Islam in the UK, leading to the bombing of buses and railways in London a year ago.

Maybe your point should be that its a good thing we don't accept multiculturalism like the other advanced nations.

Answer 6

Multiculturalism isn't the problem.

Bigotry against a persons sexuality is.
Fear of a person "taking a job" is.

We have people here of all nationalities and colors and they are working and doing what they do just as everyone else. If you pay attention to the above, you'll see the problem. Bigotry and Fear. Plain and simple.

Answer 7

It does and at least as good as many other countries. What are you talking about?

Now, part of the problem with multiculturalism is that extremists take over such a concept and pervert into something it never should be. There are strange college programs all in the name of multiculturalism.

Answer 8

Righto, I have been biting my tongue for ages on this political correctness for different cultures in the west.

My question is this, if we went to a foreign place would they accept the things that we do?? i.e., our religious preference, our preference for dress.

For instance, if we went to the Arab states where alcohol is forbidden, we are not allowed it, period, no if's, but's or and's, they say no and we adhere to it right?? So, if some one settles in a new country why the blinking heck do they get all emotional and out of hand if their new host country has certain rules as in the Arab states, why on earth should we change to suit people who came (by choice most of the time) into a different country.

Whats the point in going to a new place to learn new things when you might as well be at home?? You cant stamp your foot and demand, demand, demand, I thought only 4 year olds thru temper tantrums or no?

Answer 9

Plenty of multiculturalism where I live. Have you been to California lately? There are so many Asians, Arabs, etc. there. Where do you get the idea we don't accept it?

It depends on your definition of multiculturalism. If you live here, you ought to speak our language.

Answer 10

The U.S. is more multi-cultural than any other nation in the world. In fact many of these "advanced" countries have large fascist and nazi movements like in germany france great britain or are relatively homogeneous like japan, korea, china, india, etc....

Obviously you have never been here or have any idea what your talking about. This coming from a Puerto Rican married to Russian Jew, My father was black and my mother a spaniard, grampa was italian..., sisters married to a jamaican and the other to a greek...all here in the USA. Dig it?