Multiculturalism In Canada

Summary of Article Multiculturalism is used in two ways. First, descriptive because it refers to the simple fact of diversity. The second being normatively, which refers to ideologies or policies that promote diversity. Throughout the essay, three different sections of multiculturalism are addressed. The first two sections will evaluate both the United States and Canada's history and their opinions of opinions of multiculturalism. The last section will compare and contrast multiculturalism in both the United States and Canada. Some of the opposition to multiculturalism within the educational sphere is that the information being taught may not be presented in an objective way, portray Western or Euro-Americans in a negative light and reinforce

In addition, multiculturalism has a powerful repercussion on national identity. The term “melting pot” which the United States is often referred to as was coined by St. John Crevecoeur’s. This as due to the mix of Scotch, Irish, Dutch, Germans and Swedes that were in the United States in 1782. However, not everyone agreed with Crevecoeur’s ideas such as Horace Kallen who advocated against Creveceour’s idea. Many individuals such as Allan Bloom and Arthur Schlesinger followed in Kalle’s footsteps. Until the 1960’s, Canada restricted minorities that were deemed as “unassimilable.” These individuals included Chinese, Japanese, South Asians and Blacks. Canadian authors such as Bissoondath and Gwyn stated multiculturalism prevents society from advancing saying things such as “multiculturalism does not encourage immigrants to think of themselves as Canadians” (443). However, the article does discuss authors who believe multiculturalism is a positive thing such as Canadian author, Will Kymlicka who finds multiculturalism as a “defensible, and successful approach

The concept of the “melting pot” is not my favorite way to refer to America. From my perspective, a melting pot requires people to assimilate into the larger culture. Assimilation is not always bad but individuals do have to up certain aspects of who they are in order to be “melted”. That aspect that could be “melted” away from people could include their language, their religion, etc. I prefer the concept of a salad because everyone is allowed to bring their unique customs and ideas to this “salad”. When that occurs, the overall “salad” is better because all these different “ingredients” that come together to make a better whole. In addition, the text stated that “multiculturalism is regressive”(444) because it “reinforces the marginal status of certain minorities” (444). In America, race is a social construct. My race is always omnipresent. I cannot escape it, no matter how “color-blind” America becomes. My race serves a reminder that I am dangerous and expected to be less than any other white person. Multiculturalism does not reinforce the marginal status, it is race itself that does that. So unless America gets rid of race, there is always going to be a marginal status for