With the arrival of modern globalization, the phenomenon of multiculturalism has become widespread in many nations due to the relative ease of immigration to developed nations. This is especially absolute in the case of the United States of America, which has been termed the melting pot of cultures. Yet, it is arguable as to whether the resultant diversity has benefited or impaired American education and society. As defined, multiculturalism is “the presence of and integration of people of varied countries, ethnicities, and religions in one unified society reflecting the beliefs and customs of all the included parties” Encarta Dictionary, Microsoft Encarta 2006, Microsoft Corporation). Multiculturalism has had an advantageous influence on America because it has allowed for greater integration of varied groups resulting in greater tolerance and understanding among them and because it has allowed education to be taken from a more all-encompassing outlook on the world and its history so that the accomplishments of diverse groups are acknowledged in addition to a “Euro centric” curriculum, but multiculturalism can have an injurious impact when it is taken so literally as to view the population not as a multinational of assorted individuals but as a confederation of sacred and static factions.
The chief argument against multiculturalism is the tendency for “ethnic and racial – far more than ideological conflict- [to be]…the explosive problem of our times” (491, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., “The Cult of Ethnicity: Good and Bad”). There is substantial evidence for this available in the form of the conflict between varied ethnicities/religions has led to conflict in places like Indonesia, Iraq, the nations formerly known as Yugoslavia, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, China, India-Pakistan-Kashmir, Sudan (Darfur) and many, many more in the past and present. The fact simply exists that multicultural regions usually (i.e. having a perceived very significantly higher chance) develop antagonism between its respective dissimilar groups where as populaces which have virtually homogeneous people generally have a much lower tendency for internal conflict.
yes multi culture has influenced America :) you can look at our school itsef it has soo many ethnicities..not to mention many ideas were brought by other cultures to america making it soo diverse
ReplyDeleteI think it also depends on how vast the multiculturalism really is. Like in NYC you don't see a mass amount of racism because almost everybody has different ethnic backgrounds from all over the world. In places like Sudan,China etc. there are like 2-4 different cultures among the nation.
ReplyDeleteI think in a way, we are lucky to live in such a multicultural superpower world. We have immigrants from all over the world coming to America for a better life. However, we should take advantage of our multiculturalism and learn from one another. We shouldn't let a multicultural society break us apart and bring us to war. Rather, because we are so diverse it should unify us. With more ideas to offer, there should be more options to choose from. I am glad to live in New York City of all places and have friends not just from my own home country. We always have fun and learn from one another.
ReplyDeleteI think we are very lucky that we live in such a multicultural city. We are lucky to be able to learn about other cultures and accept them. In many other countries, there is strong racism only because of the lack of understanding. By becoming more educated about other cultures, we can achieve mutual understanding and learn to love everyone in the world!
ReplyDeleteJust curious, are you talking about war in general or the Iraq War? As for me, I personally believe that multiculturalism is a boon for our city. In fact, a quick look at the history of NYC (I took DNY and an elective in the History of New York in highschoo. I had a pretty cool teacher that does tours for the merchant house, or w/e it was called.) shows that NYC was more tolerable than other places. In fact, the Flushing Remonstrance, which some consider a key element in the construction of the First Amendment, was a petition from English citizens, who were non Quakers, to tell Peter Stuyvesant to let the Quakers practice their religion. Fast forward to now, and we can see that NYC is quite a melting pot. I'm quite glad that we have this, because I would go crazy if I didn't have a chinese restaurant, an italian restaurant, a korean restaurant, a halal stand, a japanese restraunt, a spanish bakery, and probably a lot more all within 1 hours of walking.
ReplyDeleteI am speaking right now of war in general, however I strongly feel that all wars, although are not the same, exude a certain character which connects them all. Multiculturalism is great, it is what we need to make the world a better place. With things going as they are the world is becoming flat, hard to understand? I suggest if you guys are interested to read the book "the world is flat" by Thomas Friedman. NYC is after all the greatest city in the world, and it owes this title because of the melting pot which exists in it.
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