In its simplest definitions, the concept of multiculturalism having its roots in theories of cultural pluralism and diversity, can be defined as a normative response to manage the challenges arising from the ever growing multicultural make up of urban population caused by immigration or de facto plurality of cultures in both plural and mono cultural societies. The challenges of multicultural urban societies have been attributed to the politics of cultural differences characterized by the difference in value system of dominant mono cultural groups and specific communities containing multiple ethnicities and, also finding possible ways to co-exist among such differences. The politics of difference is largely reflected in sharing and constitution …show more content…
The contemporary multicultural debate also includes arguments that if freed from political ideological canon, ‘there is no single 'form' or experience of multiculturalism- it is not an ‘ideal’ state, nor does any multicultural context necessarily have a clear end goal (Werbner 1997)’. Such position has given the leverage for understanding multiculturalism in different contexts, which in way, is taken up in contemporary urban …show more content…
It has been given due priority in urban design and planning for promoting social cohesion as a constituent concept of the sense of belonging and community values through ethnic mixing to deal with challenges of multiculturalism in the West especially in England and Canada. The limitation of social cohesion to deal with multicultural challenges has led to contemporary planning imaginations that emphasize the meaningful engagements among different cultures. In the multicultural context, although contemporary planning imaginations do not directly refer to the role of public space at the level of local living per se, it nevertheless consider the significance of socio-physical setting public space provides for 'meaningful intercultural interactions' (Sennet, 1994), ‘openness to unassimilated otherness’ (Donald, 1999) and, as settings for ‘active civic engagements with clearly defined goal’ (Sandercock 2003). Trying to deal with the problematic of contested nature of public space in multicultural context, these imaginations in a way argue for the active civil engagements in public space through broad social participation with clearly defined goal for promoting social and civic solidarity by maintaining the meaningful distance or unassimilated otherness to live together
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.
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...
##In the book The intercultural city: Planning for diversity advantage (Wood, Landry, 2012) it is suggested one should focus on diversity advantage for neighborhoods, cities, and nations rather than the diversity deficit. The way you look at the problem determines how you address it. If we see everything as a problem to be solved, the mind sees more trouble than opportunity. The authors argue that if cities, whether through choice or ignorance, find themselves in the “aversion” or “benign indifference” to diversity, they will ultimately lose out – in competitiveness or quality of life – to those that actively seek to position themselves in the zone of active interaction.
In conclusion, Canada’s Multiculturalism Policy characterizes several beneficial attributes in regards to the promotion of coexistence as part of the national acculturation development, and likewise, several complications and complexities such as the limitations of language as a defining element of a subset of culture. Nevertheless, the policy presents potential prospective for cultural unity and equality leading to an elemental definition of Canada’s national atmosphere.
The differences observed in society can be seen in almost every aspect of life and can separate every human from another through choice and perception. Considering a simplistic example where one driver in the United States drives on the right side of the road, compared to a European driver that drives on the left side of the road. Each may perceive that the other is incapable of driving when sharing the same environment. Yet both individuals are perfectly capable of operating a vehicle safely and successfully. The similarity is that both know how to operate a vehicle and this similarity is what creates cohesion between two individuals. The aspect of multi-cultural counseling operates across this same philosophy where the diversity of one client
Multiculturalism is an issue that has brought much debate to the United States. It helps us look at other cultures respectably and freely. Multiculturalism is something that we must deal with because of the millions of people immigrating to America. It is an issue that can not be ignored and therefore we need to deal with the multicultural issue.
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.
Multiculturalism is defined and interpreted in various ways, all interpretations resonate with this definition; multiculturalism is the institutionalised implementation of foreign cultures into a native culture following the philosophy that every culture is morally valid. Moral validity is an idea that should be taken into careful consideration when regarding foreign cultures. If all cultural values were truly morally valid there would be an undivided ideology; humans would all agree on what is right and what is wrong. When allowing immigrants to hold their origin culture, there are detrimental cultural values that are conserved. Retaining these poor cultural values creates conflict amongst
Smith introduces the concept of multiculturalism and how America has “always been a ‘multicultural’ country” (Smith, p.1), but didn’t become a realization to the American people until the 1960s and the civil right movement. She explains how the word “multicultural” was used as a synonym to earlier interpretations of “minority”. This included the African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American cultures to name a few. As time would go on this would eventually include “the handicapped, gay and lesbian individuals, and, in short, any persons whose lifestyle, enforced or otherwise, distinguishes them as identifiable members of a group...
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 his article “The Failure of Multiculturalism”, Kenan Malik uses the diverse European culture to study and explain the irony of multiculturalism. He defines multiculturalism as “the embrace of an inclusive, diverse society” (Malik 21). Integration between cultures is practically inevitable, but several nations view this as a threat towards upholding their culture. Due to this, many countries have made attempts at properly integrating new people and ideas while trying to prevent the degradation of their own. This can result in unjust regulations and the reverse effect of an intended multicultural society.
Diversity is a value that shows respect for the differences and similarities of age, sex, culture, ethnicity, beliefs and much more. Having a diverse organization, helps notice the value in other people and also how to teach respect to people that might not know how. The world is filled with different cultures and people that might believe in different things as you, but that doesn’t mean you need to treat them any different. It is imperative for people to grasp diversity because it’ll help people how to engage with others in a respectful yet a hospitable way.
Diversity and inclusion are more than buzzwords. These common business vernaculars are evolving in organizations. As organizations evolve, with a multicultural and multigenerational workforce talent, diversity and inclusion inherently become fundamental to cultivate a strong and competitive organization. Generally, diversity includes but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, religion, social class, physical ability, or sexual orientation. However, with the constant evolution of organizations, its meaning has expanded. Tavakoli (2015) asserts that diversity is an organizational asset; therefore, diversity encompasses economic, educational, generational differences, along with any other disparity.
As long as mutual respect and tolerance exists, multiculturalism helps to enrich and democratize the society. According to Kuzio (1996), `multiculturalism helps society to become more democratic.` Of the same opinion are, Berman a...
In the future, the world will only become more diverse. People should learn to appreciate it by acknowledging the differences around them. Sometimes people are scared that “recognizing differences will divide people from each other. However, learning about cultural differences can actually bring people closer together” ( “Section 1”). It would be better if people became closer together instead of growing apart because of discrimination and other mistreatment. Building relationships with different cultures should be a goal of everyone and even nations as a whole. Each group has different strengths that can benefit the the community altogether. Since the world will definitely become more diverse, it is important to be informed about cultural groups so you can become more marketable and succeed in a diverse world.