Is Christina Ho’s proposal that we develop ‘micro-publics’, which involve respecting the presence of others, realistic? In this essay, I aim to discuss the concept of everyday multiculturalism. This essay will put together arguments from Christina Ho’s “Respecting the Presence of Others: School Micropublics and Everyday Multiculturalism”, with supporting arguments from Leeuwen’s “Dealing with Urban Diversity” and Amin’s “ Ethnicity and the multicultural city: living with diversity”. This essay will further elaborate on the arguments reasoning Ho’s notion on micropublics of respecting legitimate presence of others is a realistic approach. The Concept of Multiculturalism The immigrants, disadvantaged groups and the indigenous communities …show more content…
The critics argue that multiculturalism ultimately favors one community than another, exacerbating conflict, ethnic difference and limiting the individual’s right to self-identity (Prato 2009: 2). They argue that the fundamental problem of multiculturalism is that its meaning differs from scholars to scholars (Watson 2000, Parto: 3). Christina Ho in her paper related to micropublics and respecting the presence of others suggests that the idea of ‘everyday multiculturalism’ is a prolific way to understand the reality of multiculturalism (Ho 2011: 604). Everyday multiculturalism implies to the negotiation people regularly make across cultural differences in their daily life (wise and Velayutham 2009, Ho: 604). The individuals of diverse communities are doing multiculturalism in the activities they conduct routinely in their day-to-day life (2011: 604). The Concept of …show more content…
He suggests that many citizens now live in large and dense settings that require contacts with each other in a regular basis, thus social and cultural diversity is one of the key elements of city life (Leeuwen 2010: 632). Through the concept of ‘cosmopolitan citizenship’ he suggests that city life is formed by presence of people from different culture and social groups who have their own foundation of identity, which results in the rise of differences between social groups. He adds that such encounter with differences are viewed in terms of excitement or adventure (2010: 633). This could imply that the people in city are willing to contact the strange and unknown to develop their intercultural skills. This outlook represents the city as an ideal place for acceptance, building connections and respecting other cultures by getting engaged with differences. In contrast to the cosmopolitan citizenship, which is unrealistic as we discussed harmony doesn’t exist by mutual agreement with each other, he introduced another concept of ‘agonistic citizenship’ which suggests that acknowledge the fact that tensions between different social group occurs in a diverse cultural society. Therefore, this notion of
middle of paper ... ... Given that multiculturalism is a framework that says that anyone can sit at the table so long as they accept certain political and cultural divisions which ultimately work to make impossible your ability to change the basic structure of meaning in society, or which seek to extract any political potential from the things you say, the things you embody and the things you want. You can have holidays, but not your language. You can have a month of the year for your race, but no justice.
Integration of culture within the United States has become a difficult task for government officials who follows the Multiculturalist approach. Culture is the diversification of one’s being as regards to their immutable traits being learnt from the time of their births. Linda Chaves’s essay “Demystifying Multiculturalism” points out that the accommodation of equal rights between whites and non-whites is not a problem it is education. However, multiculturalist believes that non-whites are becoming a threat to their population and will eventually change the American culture. The demographic tidal wave illusion from the business sectors is merely an exaggeration as they believe that non-white’s will eventually whip out United States white’s population. Chavez gives attention to the fact that ‘judgment should not be based on skin color but by content of one’s character’ (6). Furthermore, she doesn’t only criticize the Multiculturalist techniques but emphasizes through reasoning why the Multiculturalist approach would imposed negative attitude towards the non-whites in the United States. This will not only create negativity but a racial chaos between whites and non-whites living in the United States.
The questions suggested by the term "multiculturalism" range far and wide, embracing questions of inclusion: Who and what is to be taught?—questions of criteria: On what grounds, if any, can "we" make appraisals of "other cultures"?—questions of self-identity: When I say "we," who am I including in such august company?—questions of the meaning of multiculturalism: What is it? What is its purpose...
Topic 1: An Analysis of the Theme of Agger’s Multiculturalism and the Concept of Feminism
The purpose of this research is to investigate the liberal critique of the concept of multiculturalism. This study seeks to answer the research questions, what is multiculturalism, and why this concept may contradict with liberal philosophical approaches. Goals are to understand the key principle of multiculturalism, to investigate its liberal roots, to explore key critical liberal arguments in modern political philosophy. The first part is about liberal roots of multiculturalism. The aim of the second part is to reconstruct the key arguments of the concept of multiculturalism. The third part is about liberal arguments against the concept. This research expects to have following outcomes: the key features of multiculturalism and their connection with liberal political theory, liberal arguments against multicultural theory and its inner contradictions.
Joel Spring’s Deculturization and the Struggle for Equality has made me evaluate myself and my actions regarding race, ethnicity, and multiculturalism. Not only that, it has also pushed me to examine how my friends and family treat different cultures, and how I can guide them to be more open and respectful of those different cultures if necessary. This text exposed me to information that guided me to think harder and deeper, some very surprising information, and made me think about my own personal experiences and how they relate to Spring’s text.
The mention of the abolition of multiculturalism for a “new” post-multiculturalist approach becomes difficult to understand. It claims, “to avoid the ‘excesses’ of multiculturalism” (47), however where does this notable governmental and social switch take place? How is the term coined, and how is it understood in theory versus in practice? How is it different from its predecessor? Even the classification of history struggles to define what is considered to be modern, let alone post-modern, and yet the term suggests a positive approach to alleviating difficult assimilation projects similar to those faced elsewhere (47). This notion may developed on the grounds of “someone else’s problems” ¬– in regards to its Canadian context – as a means to label, or justify, miscellaneous aspects of multiculturalism. However, with the government-wide commitment to policies and programs, in conjunction with social understanding, it naturally becomes subject to a wide array of differing opinions. As both immigration and citizenship policies change, its public reception often shifts as well. Especially since the channels referred to within the ‘multiculturalism...
The multiculturalism idea is about how to respond towards challenges that are associated with religious and cultural diversity. The term is used as a descriptive term that characterizes the diversity facts in the society. The proponent of multiculturalism rejects the melting point idea though the term has encompasses a variety of claims. The melting point idea is that members of the minority group maintain a distinct collection of practices and identities.in general multiculturalism means the practices and policies that respond and recognizes ethnic diversity (Roach et al, 2005 pg. 37). The first black president elected in us Barack Obama describes the different points of view regarding multicultural societies. Though each Atlantic side are
Multiculturalism is the ethnic and cultural diversity that exists within a certain area. Different countries display various forms of multiculturalism. The most common form of multiculturalism is whereby a citizen of a certain country is born overseas, or of the parents of the individual is born overseas. English speaking countries have a lot of multiculturalism in them. Just like the United Kingdom, Australia has adopted multiculturalism as a national identity. My essay explores how Australia appreciates and accepts many different ethnicities and cultures.
Contrary to the popular believe by proponents of multicultural education, not all cultures promote and support racial equality (Lisa, 2015). Some cultures support pacifism, others support war, while others are self-ruling entities that promote disregard for the ruling government. Various conflicting values learnt by students in the name of multicultural education only get them confused, having less personal identity which are grounds for division among students.
He organizes his ideas and opinions precisely with supportive reasoning and statements from other writers. How he voices his findings are relatable and uplifting. Reviewing this article has broaden my understanding of identity politics. The tone he uses throughout the article exemplifies great expression and all and all human emotions towards the subject at hand. The way he stands up for those who may choose to vote for those whom they most identify with, shows that he still understands himself that to some extent identity politics is rational and just. For example when he argues Stanley Crouch’s objection that “groups and populations are not monolithic but display a diversity of attitudes and positions.” He voices that although that statement may be true it is not to say the least that those same members of those particular groups are populations can't come together for the greater good for a shared concern or
Throughout his book he illustrated a need to incorporate many perspectives when trying to define what is just. This is similar to George DeMartino’s idea in “The Economist’s Oath” that society benefits from diversity of thought. He asserted that a variety of opinions was important when examining an issue, in particular issues that are more complex. He warned against group think (DeMartino, 2011). Sen too discourages group think as it can be seen in the current thoughts on justice as based in transcendentalism and an idea of defining utopian institutions of justice (Sen, 2009). Both Sen and DeMartino reflect what could be a trend of thought sparked by increased globalization; a revised renaissance perspective of recognizing the many voices of different cultures and beliefs as global communication and connectivity have become easier. “Affirming Diversity: The Sociopolitical Context of Multicultural Education” by Sonia Nieto and Patty Bode looked at the concerns of social justice and the benefits of a multicultural education. They discussed the transition in thought toward embracing this teaching style over the past twenty years (Nieto & Bode, 2011). The works of Sen, DeMartino, Nieto, and Bode reflect increased diversity. The singular way of examining an issue as right or wrong, ethical or unethical, just or unjust is being shed for a multidimensional way of representing a seemingly yes or no
Implementing multiculturalism in education may be part of the solution of creating a society that overcomes the racial barriers that inflict groups of people from coexisting. The focus of reforming our educational system to include multiculturalism may in fact be the catalyst to close the achievement gap that exist among the student population as this may create a more balanced school climate (Blackford, 2013). Therefore, with a balanced and enriching learning environment, educators can focus on teaching rather than disciplining which may lead to educational success (Nieto, 2012). According to Nieto and Bode, 2012, there are seven basic characteristics of multicultural education that are needed to be effective and be of value to society; antiracist, include basic education, important for all students, universal, focus on social justice, a process, and be critical education (Nieto,
“Harmony”, what we define as the stepping stone of a new system or an epoch, holds a remarkable significance to our lives and daily activities. Beyond the word’s denotation lies a connotative power which we are oblivious to. It does not only apply on the citizens of a country, rather, it comprises of entire system we are currently residing on ranging from the relationship among different minds, the ecosystem and even our own body. How is it that harmony in diversity plays a vital role to the country? Why must we cast away our dissimilarity for the sake of humankind even though it contradicts with our respective beliefs? Why are we to accept the unacceptable, just for the sake of harmony?
Multiculturalism is the idea that numerous ethnicities can co-exist in the same space. One of the policies such as commodification of ethnicities. Some countries actively encourage enthnoscapes such as Chinatown in Vancouver to promote economic growth and tourism in those areas (Hoernig & Walton-Roberts, 2009). This can lead to ethnoscapes being whether they are authentic to a particular home ethnicity or whether it is manufactured differently. Hoernig & Walton-Roberts (2009) asserts that globalization, immigration and urbanization are the 3 mechanisms of how a multicultural city is made up. These are the main drivers of a multicultural city. There are different levels of exclusion and inclusion. Often multicultural cities are façade. For instance, Singapore is seen as quite a multicultural city but there maybe some areas where segregation is present. Hoernig & Walton-Roberts (2009) states that Singapore has diligently ‘imagineered’ itself as a cultural city. The different levels of exclusion and inclusion can be created by family ties, education level and types of work that different ethnicities do. Therefore this leads to the tangible and transitory aspects of ethnoscapes that are present in urban areas. For instance, Sandringham Road has a lot of Indian eataries and is known as the ‘Indian food neighbourhood’ (Friesen,