Do you believe multiculturalism is a good thing?

Question

I go to a very diverse university, and it seems ethnic groups tend to 'keep to themselves' making the university extremely cliquish. I'm starting to doubt claims that multiculturalism is necessarily a unifying thing and tends to divide people.

Multiculturalism highlights differences between groups of people and therefore can aid in forming stereotypes and expectations that certain 'groups' may be forced to deal with. So it's difficult for me to acknowledge a positive feature of it, other then perhaps people being able to stay in their little cultural cliques without having to integrate with the rest of society...

Answer 1

If immigrants from foreign countries integrate into the society of their adopted country that is OK. But my experience is that it does not normally happen. Then what you get is a collection of mini-societies or "ghettoes" developing. So in general I am not for it.

Answer 2

No it is a good thing because it broadens an individuals perspective on their culture. We can all learn to appreciate something from someone despite skin pigmentation. Perhaps you seeing this problem should urge you to begin a unity organization to bring people closer in the larger picture instead of seeing it as division and the way to do that would find some type of commonality between everyone ie. Music/ Food

I believe in unity and thinking outside the box how can we work together to unionize a common goal or practice for the betterment of society? United we stand divided we fall.

Answer 3

Multiculturalism is a reality that has to be faced in today's world. A university setting is quite different. Many clubs and organizations on a campus are set up for certain cultural groups, or racial groups, and even for differing political viewpoints. The student regs usually state that anyone can join any club or organization, but how many do? There are ways to overcome those who keep to themselves by being a trend setter. I would get a group of students who are of differing backgrounds to break the cycle by registering for certain club memberships. We have to learn to get along. Best way is through education & freedom to partake in cultural learning.

Answer 4

It's amazing to hear that we are so divided in the universities. If young ppl tend to be more liberal, and they are acting like this, well, it is a very scary thought.

"...Then what you get is a collection of mini-societies or "ghettoes" developing. So in general I am not for it..."

Funny. I always thought that this country was made up of immigrants. Only natives I know of are screwed in the reservations.

Mini societies? Sounds like a college fraternity to me.

And last point. So if a educated immigrant comes to New York, adapts, works or studies, and then moves to, let's say, Arizona.
Does he/she has to become uneducated, ignorant and a racist to fully "integrate" to your take on American society?

Answer 5

Of course it's a good thing! We live in a more global society now but there are some people who are afraid to embrace that. I for one am not and have friends from many different coutries and cultures all over the world. Americans in general however have really negative attitudes about international people so it's not a surprise that they feel more comfortable keeping to themselves. Maybe if people change their attitudes, and become sincere about learning about different cultures there woudln't be so much separatism. But again Americans are too afraid of anything/anyone different from themselves - the racism that is still prevalent among our dominant/traditional groups is proof of that.

Do you even know anything about the cultures of the groups you are referring to? Do you know what languages they speak, the values of their cultures? Have you gone out of your way to get to know any of the students that are part of the international population on your campus? Do you go to any of the intercultural/multi-cultural events on your campus? Have you ever tried learning a new language, or cooking food from another culture? Do you watch international films? Do you understand different religions?

Even if you have never traveled outside of the US you can learn more about the world by talking to the folks that are right there at your school. Learn about their lives and culture in their countries. What is different and what is the same? How has their experience been here in the US? Is it what they expected? How do people in their country view the US and Americans?

Open up your mind to learning more about international people and culture by doing some of these things... Read more news and realize the world is a bigger place than your backyard... If you really believe in multi-culturalism, then live it. Show other people that you are open and appreciative of their cultures and they will be more than happy to open up to you and share them with you, and learn about your culture at the same time.

The only way it can be unifying is if people are willing to make it so... Americans need to get rid of our stereotypes, get off of the high horse, and open their minds and eyes in order to really gain an understanding of others. If we can break the mode of thinking that our way of life is the only right way we will be able to embrace all people.

The only way for people new to our country to learn about our culture is if we share it with them. We cannot do that unless we are open enough to at least communicate with them, and most of us aren't. We are happy to complain about people not 'assimilating' but aren't willing to do anything to help with that.

Also assimilating to American culture should not mean that someone has to lose their own identity. They should be able to pariticipate in American culture and still maintain parts of, or majority of their own culture.

Answer 6

I think it's a good thing. They stick together b/c they feel safer, but as time goes by the cliques will overlap. Even if it doesn't happen during the college years, when they graduate the exposure to other ethnic groups will enrich future social interactions.
I agree with you that it would be nice if it would bring everyone together right there at the university, but deeply seeded ideas and beliefs take years to undo.

Answer 7

Multiculturalism is a good thing but we as a species are not ready to embrace it yet.

Answer 8

frequently it fairly is the democrats calling names while somebody disagrees with the present administration. they have not got an clever argument for the factor so as that they call people racists as though the only reason one has to disagree with obama is the colour of his pores and skin. it fairly is getting old now and that they certainly need to awaken and scent the espresso, their president is an incompetent comedian tale, undesirable comedian tale!

Answer 9

In moderation,but I think people should focus more on their own culture, rather than hang around,copy and focus on other people's cultures.

Answer 10

It doesn't matter so much what we think, it is irreversible and a natural existence with life on Earth.