Multiculturalism?

Question

Is it a good or bad thing?

I'm asking because I've seen people on here post lot's of negative Q&A's regarding multiculturalism, like it's a bad thing.

Now please correct me if I'm wrong here but I as under the impression that multiculturalism was nothing more than people of different races and ethnicities living together in a given society? like what the US and UK are like now.

Is my definition of the word wrong? I'm thinking it might be, cause like I've said I've seen loads of folks talk about multiculturalism in negative light and that only 'bleeding heart liberals' would want such a society.

Does it have something to do with immigrants not assimilating? yes? no?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, it's a bad thing.

No, it's not about people of different races living together in a given society. That's integration. Integration is a good thing, in which persons of all races, ethnic heritages, religions, etc, come together and form a cohesive society with it's own, unique, syncretic culture.

In America, immigrants of the 19th century were successfully integrated early in the 20th. By the middle of the 20th century, the civil rights movement was making strides towards integrating all races. But, before that could be accomplished, multi-culturalism took hold.

Nor is it about people of different nations and languages coming together in one place. There are places like that, and they're called 'cosmopolitan.' In a cosmopolitan setting, you have a great diversity of visitors within the society, and the culture of the society reflects some ideas and attitudes 'borrowed' from that diverse menue of cultures - but the broader host culture is still cohesive and respected by all.

Multiculturalism is about a number of distinct cultures existing within a single society. Normally, a society has a mainstream culture and any number of sub-cultures that deviate from the mainstream in some ways. For instance, there's a 'geek' subculture that's much like the mainstream, but for thier obsessions with techy stuff, sci-fi, and so forth. There's an inner-city sub-culture that's distinct form the mainstream, too, in it's attitudes.

That's not what multi-culturalism advocates. Rather, it advocates that distinct, completely alien cultures have every right to exist unaltered and respected, within the mainstream culture of another society. Thus, instead of an 'inner-city' subculture, you have an African-American /culture/, complete with it's own language (Ebonix), and it's own history, heritage, and values that must be respected.

The ideal of multi-culturalism is that every /other/ culture must be valued and respected, judged only by it's own moral compass, and not by that of the mainstream culture. There is, however, no requirement for reciprocation in this arangement. The mainstream culture need not be respected or valued - in fact, in order to overcome 'cultural-centrism,' mutliculturalists routinely denegrate the mainstream, or even deny that the broader society can /have/ a culture of it's own.

Answer 2

Brititin has always been a nation of imigrants whte and non white whether people like it or not the royal family are all originaly of imigrant stock.

However it only seems to be people of a brown skin that are still made to feel like outsiders two genrations in I'm british non white but I dont like the lable ethnic minorty or asain.
My father was an imigrant however I have no iflation to any other country but the one I was born and grew up in I'm sure if I was white skined and of polish or irish descend morons would not make asumptions about culture belefs etc before geting to know my as an individual , Being british does not mean subsribing to one set of theriouse or way of doing things it is something that evolving and sef determined by individual prefrences rather then social dogma .

Answer 3

Good question and it's hard to give a considered answer so late at night. My stance, as a traditional 'Brit' is that people should be able to come to this country with good reason (e.g.historical connections, economic benefit to the UK or political asylum) and that that having multiple cultures co-existing is fine. If my neighbours were Caribbean baptists, Muslims, Hindu, Jews, Polish catholics and atheists that would be great, we could learn a lot from each other. What I don't want is the government telling me to abandon my ideals and history; I'm British I don't do culture! I'm happy to buy a drink for my Polish dentist or Indian vet and I'm just as happy to not drink alcohol with a Muslim doctor. Assimilate as much as you see fit. Having multiple sub-cultures co-exist is fine, multiculturalism is just a made-up word which is annoying people.

Answer 4

Its a good thing. But what is the deal with this whole idea that immigrants don't want to assimilate??

Did all European immigrants come here knowing English??
Did they step foot in America and all of a sudden they spoke, read and wrote in English??
No! It was a process that took 2-3 generations just as it does know.
Every race takes at least a couple generations to fully assimilate into the culture, yet they still retain some of their heritage.
I live in Chicago and there are different neighborhoods like Greek Town, Little Italy, Little Village, China Town, etc...
Each town\neighborhood has their own interesting culture. We like it and visit then to have a good experience.
If you go to those towns you will see almost everything in a language other than English and no one complains about them unless its in Spanish.
You can go to Polish\Italian\Greek towns and still find European Immigrants that have been here for 45+ years that still don't speak a lick of English. They will also have sons and daughters that speak English with an accent or sometimes really bad English. But their kids will speak good English with little or no accent. That is exactly what is happening now. People are assimilating as time passes, but we only focus on the Latinos that came here illegally and speak Spanish. But if we take the time and look at their American born children, we find out that they are fluent in English.
We have accepted going to Italian\French\Greek\European restaurants. We have celebrated St. Patricks Day, Pulaski Day, and other European based Holidays, yet for some reason Latino culture is not accepted by some Americans.
People only complain about Legal documents are printed in Spanish, but the fact is they are printed in many languages.
Regardless of anyones point of view if we have ENGLISH ONLY as a policy, it will affect both Undocumented Aliens and Legal Immigrants. Just like Europeans, Latinos need time to assimilate and if you want to complain about someone speaking a different language, complain about all of them and not just Spanish.
Lets be real, 12Million+ people are not going to be deported and sooner or later they will receive some sort of legality in the US so everyone will have to live with it. I'm looking forward for it cause it would be a huge jump start to the economy as more people will be buying homes which would affect all sorts of economical factors. Construction, Supply, Taxes, Real Estate, Financing, etc....

Answer 5

The United States should AVOID multiculturalism! People emigrated here to start a new life to work and live free. The people should learn English and adopt an American way of life. Put the dis functional past behind You and be AMERICAN. If not you can the golden door swings both ways.

Answer 6

Your definition of multiculturism is about right. However, immigrants who do not assimilate in society are no better than colonists and we know how that is regarded is these enlightened days.

Answer 7

If you want a taste of multiculturalism go back in time 20 years to the former Yugoslavia. That is the result of multiculturalism.

Answer 8

i'd love to know but i thought people that come here live are way off life. but they set up there own shops community.and when they need care they come down the doctors hospitals. what i'm trying to say is they set themseleves up but the real things they need they don't have give it them there take it and they will be happy and there will be no multicuralism

Answer 9

It is one of the great things about America. I find it boring going to some countries where everyone looks and acts the same. China for example

Answer 10

While it is a nice thought, I don't believe that cultures can be unbiased enough to live peacefully together and it ends up being a bad thing.