Thoughts on Multiculturalism
December 28th, 2010 by marcieA Kitsap Sun letter to the editor last month about
multiculturalism caught my attention and challenged some of my
thoughts on the topic. Multiculturalism is also a term that I
am hearing used more frequently. So I decided to do a little
research. First I looked for a definition and found many;
each different, but with some similarities. One particularly
resonates with what I think of when I hear the term:
(from www.answers.com/topic/multiculturalism)
“A philosophy that recognizes ethnic diversity within a society and
that encourages others to be enlightened by worthwhile
contributions to society by those of diverse ethnic
backgrounds.”
The letter that started me thinking referenced an example of multiculturalism failing in Germany, however I did not find that there is agreement on why there are problems. Is it really multiculturalism, or is it the way it was implemented? Germany does not have the extensive history of multiculturalism that the United States does, so the situation there is different than what we have here. Our Country has many pockets of culture from all over the World and those of us that take the time to learn from each other are all the richer for it. Our breadth of ethnic food restaurants is only a portion of what world cultures share with us on a daily basis.
On a corporate level, companies are finding that multiculturalism benefits their workplace, and this is demonstrated by positive affects on their corporate bottom line. What I mean by multiculturalism here are the employee resource groups, also sometimes called affinity groups, that help companies improve strategic marketing and increase their diversity of recruiting and retention of employees. These groups also help increase employee happiness as well as their sense of being able to contribute in meaningful ways, which in turn increases their productivity.
One definition of an employee resource group, from Diversity Inc (www.diversityinc.com), is “company-sponsored employee groups from traditionally underrepresented groups or those that support these groups.”
The role that these groups play in a workplace has matured over the years from groups that mostly focused on networking and celebrations of cultural events, to groups that play significant roles in a company’s marketing, employee recruiting, and employee development.
While not everyone understands that these groups, and the diversity councils that usually connect them together, benefit a workplace, the evidence is there. More and more companies and Government agencies are figuring that out and supporting the formation of these groups. Local examples that I could find are many of the companies that do government contract work in Kitsap County, such as Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman.
I did not see anything during my research that demonstrated to me that our multiculturalism is the cause of any of the problems that we are facing as a nation. There is work that we can all do to improve communication between groups, but the idea that we can all be assimilated into one cultural melting pot is unrealistic – we are more like a chunky stew.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
January 1st, 2011 at 5:54 pm
“I did not see anything during my research that demonstrated to me that our multiculturalism is the cause of any of the problems that we are facing as a nation.”
What are we scholastically in the world market – 33rd from the top?
Realistically, how can having a classroom full of non-English speaking kids not put a hamper on learning for the class? I would call that a problem.
Look at Denmark and Japan…very little diversity within those countries yet Japan is among the top leaders in a world market in business enterprise.
I grew up with no diversity around me and came to believe (only half joking here) non-Norwegians were unlucky. I didn’t learn prejudice because the subject never came up – we associated with the same sort of people – mostly Scandinavian …mostly Norwegian.
I like the diversity but it most certainly plays a part in our current state of world affairs. How could it not?
May I ask what problems concern you in this nation and not connected with diversity?
Your post is intriguing…thanks for bringing it on board…
Sharon O’Hara
January 4th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
“I did not see anything during my research that demonstrated to me that our multiculturalism is the cause of any of the problems that we are facing as a nation”
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/multiculturalism/
Off hand I would have to say you have not really researched if that is the case. There are many arguments to how multi cultural ism has effected some of our institutions negatively , such as education , but also the obvious effects of our day and age so called culture wars , and of now even minorities, religion being used for political gain or loss. Religious organizations who claim to be against multi cultural ism have exhibited us and them in political fields as well based on culture.
E Pluribus Unum.Out of many one was never meant to be a slam on other cultures, but I agree there are many nationalistic individuals , organizations and aspects of the so called religious right that do affirm that . But a commonality between cultures has always been a good thing, sharing aspecyts and positive aspects also f our cultures is a PLUS, a source for unity and a common purpose. Freedom , respect for others . No other country in the world has had such an influx of different people combine together in relative harmony , agreed mistreatment also at times but certainly the good outweighed the bad, , to promote the ‘common” welfare of all its people . More blacks and African AMERICANS HAVE NOW COME TO THIS COUNTRY FREELY , then were actually forced to be here under the institution of slavery. Our Melting pot caused that , not our multi cultural ism.
But to see where multi cultural ism has perverted itself is from secular and political sources specifically. I am a documentary nut , recently rented the movie Outrage . Basically a left centered political oriented documentary dealing with homosexuality , politics and our changing culture . What I find interesting is that in circles claiming to be multicultural, they advocate this as a must see. In the movie there was section on the recent Marriage issue in California , quite emotional , quite passionate from both sides . Some sides see it as a civil right issue . Both sides see it differently and with different world views from their respective culture. The documentary chose to mock the use of the Mormon aspect and influx of their Constitutional rights to advocate for their view and used the method of actually ridiculing some of the Mormon Beliefs . They poked fun and jokes about the Mormon religion . Would a Mormon who happened to believe in the political position of gay marriage being legalized or not find find multiculturalism tolerant.
Multi Culturalism has been hijacked y a secualar world view, we should not have to believe in gay marriage or not , to have our religion or non religion respected .
The mocking of Mormon History ” aspects of their polygamus roots” and their religious beliefs made me woner do all multi culturalist who advocate for gay marriage not see the nastiness of this method . . Multiculturalism chooses which religions to respect , which they do not in the current form of multi culturalsim being promoted today. The same Multicuturalistic secular understanding would choose to defend the Mosque in NY being built , based on the fact the opposition they consider a religion of intolerance.
Not respecting the fact in our culture we have often made places of great lost places hollowed ground in the sense they belong to all Americans . Both sides of the debate had valued and sincere positions , the multi cultural view point limited respect and value to only one side of that debate also.
The truth is out of many one had succeeded in America because instead of the morality of right and left , we had in this country at one time a closer resemblances of right and wrong . We had common beliefs , common reasons for why we respected one another . we had a commonality , and indeed we were multi cultural before the word became a PC cliché with little meaning .
I have been privileged to know some true believers , such as Lennie Meder of the ethnic unity Coalition . But from my experience with multi cultural ism in Kit sap County , without doing research , it has always been a form of exchanging some isms for others isms.
The example of Outrage is just one of many showing a lack of tolerance and respect for other beliefs from organizations that claim tolerance .
One of my ambitions is to be able to help our young people . i really don’t think the culture they have is an improvement from the one we had . yes there are some progress, and some specific attitudes changed . But say in the course of trying to help in the environment they learn in , to be free from aggression , intimidation, bullying .
How do we attack the issue in academia , from a group multi cultural understanding instead of what it is , a huan problem . Bllies we have always had , they pick on those who appear weaker and different . those two examples of who they pick on are constant . But how do we attack the problem , political group against political group . We learn about how Hispanics are mistreated because they are a minority , and believe by showing Hispanics to be top notch folks that bullying will be stopped . The truth is that Hispanic bullies will pick on Hispanics , they will pick on whites , they will pick on gays . Gays will pick on gays , and will get picked on at times because they indeed have been highlighted not to be picked on because they are “victims ”
I do not see why any gay human being should be picked on , or why any white or and color . Multi Cultualism has taken the commonality of what is right and wrong and put one group against the other , even in ways we try to stop the weaker or those who appear weaker to be picked on. I don’t understand how you can never have heard this counter view before ?
I have dyslexia , not very educated , long ill spent youth, yet know of it quite well .
January 5th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Sharon – What I was thinking of when I wrote the post was mostly the major economic problems we are facing. Recently I have seen the term multiculturalism used almost synonymously with the term immigration and used as something to blame our major woes on.
I agree that our standing scholastically in the world is an issue, however, I think that it is more complex than having to deal with multiple languages in schools. Having multiple languages is something we have been dealing with for a long time. I do not have the solution, but I think it is critical to our future to figure it out.
There is certainly a connection with diversity and just about anything we do, but rather than being the cause of the problems, diversity can help us solve them – Innovative solutions come from a diversity of view points and ideas.
We do need to be respectful and learn to communicate with one another, and that can be a real challenge sometimes with strongly held differing views.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Mick – Thank you for sharing the link to the multiculturalism article, it was an interesting read.
I could have been clearer in my post about what I did not find, which was anything that proved to me that our Country’s multiculturalism is causing some of our major issues like the economy and joblessness. Recently multiculturalism seems to be a catch phrase used to blame our major problems on. The article your link went to stated the following, which relates to what I mean:
“Part of the backlash against immigrant multiculturalism is based on fear and anxiety about foreign “others” and nostalgia for an imagined past when everyone shared thick bonds of identity and solidarity. Nativism is as old as migration itself, but societies are especially vulnerable to it when economic conditions are especially bad or security is seen to be threatened. In the U.S. the cultural “others” are Latino immigrants, especially unauthorized migrants.”
I do not agree that multiculturalism is pitting groups against each other – it is just a philosophy. Like you mentioned, we have had some level of multiculturalism in this Country for a long time. I definitely agree that more respect within, and between, groups is key to us all getting along.
I am not sure what groups consider the film Outrage to be a must see. It is not the one I would pick for someone to see to help them understand some of the issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender folks. You mentioned bullying, and there are some good films that deal with that. If you are interested, take a look at some of the films produced by Ground Spark (www.groundspark.org)
January 5th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
“…Recently I have seen the term multiculturalism used almost synonymously with the term immigration and used as something to blame our major woes on….”
As a daughter of immigrants, raised as a Norwegian/American, I’ve always thought that immigration was America’s strength in a world market. I’ve also come to think that the original immigrants strength, will, ability to overcome adversity and astounding work ethic brought to this country seem to become watered down and weak with each succeeding generation.
America, to the immigrants I knew, was the new land of hope, that here was a country where they could go as far as imagination and hard work could take them.
Education was #1 on their list of must in life for their children and nothing interfered…certainly not a teacher’s union geared to provide lifetime jobs for the dull.
I directly charge lazy, indifferent parents who allowed the teacher’s union to become the strongest, largest political union in the nation leading to the dumbing down of America.
“…We do need to be respectful and learn to communicate with one another, and that can be a real challenge sometimes with strongly held differing views.”
Of course. See what you started? If we don’t communicate we learn nothing. You have begun a good thing, Marcie.
Sharon O’Hara
January 7th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Thanks Marcie,
I am somewhat of a liberal minded person in regrdrs to immigration . Like most people , immigrints and all people who appear different even get more shame and blame during economic bad times .
But I was speaking to perhaps the more over all philospy that people seem to take , even in solving problems that our youth today face.
I am a Grand Pa now , and perhaps out of the loop in many ways . But our kids seem to be separated by groups instead of learning basic porblem solving and critical thinking skills in how they behave with others and learn to make good choices.. I will take bullying for instance . Even with the enoromus amout of acceptance and rights gays have finally received in the public square, they are still percentage wise receiving the most abuse , suffering higher suicide rates then ever before I believe . I guess those stats are hard to prove. . When i was a kid , 60;s 70;s , gays were invisible . never really knew too much , but a gay slur was given to people all the time by the smart alecks if they were picking or making funn of a person regardless of reasoning for the picking on. Bullying is not new , but I believe the amount of it is . The intimidation is greater , as is the peer pressure .
But look how we handle that increased nastiness in our culture , we take gay speakers to address bullying, or Hispanic , or whatever . ? I think that is hurting gays . I think it hurts all of us when we signal out groups and handle it as a group problem . Its not a group problem , its a human problem . It just so happens in some cases , gays get hurt , but the over all reason of the bullying is much deeper . Gays pick on other gays for the same basic reason say a bully picks on a gay and used slur words that are offensive .or even hitting the person , intimidating . Most of us know what its like to be bullied .
I think multi cultural techiques are good when you promote the good things about each cultural back grounds , but harmful when you pick out the differences in a way that you wish other people to change their behavior or their cultural heritage and beliefs .
CNN recently had a speaker who stated Christianity hurt gays . When I was on the human rights council years ago, I was overwhelemed with the materials that would use multi culturalism in a negative group manner . Promise Keeprs were linked with Skin Heads, Methodist Church for crying on loud was put on the hate watch group because they would not allow Gays to be Ministers . good grief . If you lived in Kitsap I would have a hunch you would have a very negative understanding of myself. I see religious organizations ask for donations all the time for stopping the gay agenda . As if multi culturalism has only effected the more secular elements of our culture , I believe the more traditional and religious sections of our culture have also been poisned with it . Sorry about the harsh expression here. I see people who are so inbred in a liberal multi cultural view point that i was assumed to be Phelps and Pat Robertson in the flesh . I kid you not . Plus my defending religious beliefs or groups staing they deserved ” equal” respect in a very secular multi cultural setting was quite lonely . Humiliating actually considering I really was just a PTA volunteer, new republican ,in a very strange envirnoment . I saw people just out and out tell lys , t because they were on the right side of the issue , in this case the “left side ” they were still embraced and seen as leaders . Instead of judging people by their character , their honesty , their concern for their fellow man , people in the multi cultural society we have today appear to judge people by their group identiy . No wonder our kids are seeing more aggression , their values are being replaced by something that is harmful.
But in any case , stay in touch -please . I have been appointed to serve on the NK Equity committee. From what i believe , the school districts are all under the gun to come up with policies to stop bullying . And most likely i will be somewhat out of place , but in the minority as usual . ;0 I am not sure even if I am getting my thoughts accross to you , but to stop bullying and mistreatment of others we need to teach kids they are indeed all important . No one person , or one group has more value or more rights then another . Common repsect. This includes for beliefs , race, culture , sexual orienation , etc. My contribution will be to try to have a unified approcach to handle bullying , a set way of hyandling it that promotes the integrity and respects the values of all people .
That should not be hard , but it always seems to be when different groups try to get their group put another group for whatever reason .
Thanks , and tou motivated my letter to the editor . I like your blog so far ..
i know kids and parents that had the belief they had to keep silent when their kids were being bullioed on the school bus because the bullies happened to be Native American . The kids were actually saying things like you took our land , as an excuse. Now that could be turned around and say some kids from Christian Homes were bullying some kids because they saw them as acting femine , and they treated them badly because of their sin or what ever . This multi cultural stuff in my opinion has no right or wrong side , we are all human and suffer at times of the dark side in us our the members in any socio group.
But looking at our different cultures and learning is great , even fun in my case . i enjoy , I look at it from a Christian perspective in my view , God makes cool people and cool cultures , But we do tend to mess up our gifts sometimes .
January 7th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Well Mick … I go back further and now have great-grandchild in our public school system.
I remember back when ‘gay’ meant happy, joyous – now it is only a word meaning homosexual.
Kids were bullied when I was in school – nothing new there…only today people use excuses due to heaven knows what…it seems no one seems to accept personal responsibility for anything. Whatever they do wrong or harmful, they have an excuse therefore making the act okay.
How about stomping down on the bully- no matter what s/he gives as an excuse to bully – kick them out of school. Throw their behavior back to the parents to deal with. School SHOULD be for teaching. Stop the culture excuses – bullies for any reason, of any ethnic background – should be kicked out of school for the entire rest of the school year.
Lets add some action and backbone to the incessant chat about multicultural that changes nothing.
In my opinion… Sharon O’Hara