4.+Opposing+viewpoints


 * Some CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES or viewpoints on culture, multiculturalism, and diversity include... **

** Culture, Multiculturalism, and Diversity **

It could be a contradiction to call America a Melting Pot. One view is that we blend together to form a nation, while another view is that the melting pot is trying to melt away and hide the different cultures. Some people have described it as a 'salad' because you can see the vast differences, but the other side of the debate says that a salad focuses too much on the differences, and not enough on a nation as a whole. Is America a salad or melting pot?

The term assimilation is commonly considered when a minority group integrates into a majority group and even though this is expected in most countries, some groups tend to feel more comfortable acculturating rather than assimilating. Acculturation is used to describe when minority groups adopt the new culture while maintaining some of their cultural traits. Susan Moller Okin states, “this assimilation’s expectation is now often considered oppressive, and many Western countries are seeking to devise new policies that are more responsive to persistent cultural differences” (Okin). Americans tend to pride themselves as the land of the free, where people are able to have personal freedom and live as they wish to. This expectation to assimilate is oppressive in and of itself and contradicts American freedom.

Culture, multiculturalism, and diversity are three important things that make up our society. These things are necessary because they are what make us different from each other. Being different from each other makes us become our own person and help us to find our place in the world. If we were all the same, the world would be a very boring place to live.

When it comes to culture, multiculturalism, and diversity there are many contrasting viewpoints. Not everyone agrees on his or her definitions and not everyone thinks they are important. I believe that all three things are very important in our society. Culture, multiculturalism, and diversity are what make everyone unique in their own way. It is important to include and consider all three of these things in your classroom.

In a [|short (8 minute) clip], Mark Steyn provides his rather narrow view of culture, diversity, and multiculturalism. Steyn's face is unfamiliar with many, but his voice is very well known. Famous talk show host Rush Limbaugh is often absent from the radio, and when he is, Steyn fills in. Thus, Steyn's viewpoints are heard and absorbed by an audience of millions every time he speaks on the air. While this was briefly touched on in the discussion boards, I believe that it can be expanded on in more depth here. While essentially fighting against the flow of this class, Mark Steyn does actually bring up a few interesting ideas regarding multiculturalism that spark thought and debate.

In one comment he mentions "Multiculturalism is a form of corrosion that spread across the entire world" (Steyn, 2010). While this is primarily a form of opinion, I believe that the word "corrosion" is rudely used in this context. Corrosion implies that multiculturalism is a negative thing. Even before Steyn dove into his perceived negative aspects of multiculturalism, he attempts to paint a negative image of diversity and multiculturalism in his viewers' eyes. This is why one must be absolutely aware of everything when listening to the media. A simple word like "corrosion" can slowly persuade you to see multiculturalism, or any other idea, in a negative manner.

Another comment, "All forms of -isms, Nazism, Communism, and more are designed to provoke an argument. Multiculturalism is the slipperiest form of an -ism, because it doesn't provoke an argument - it says that there is no point to an argument" (Steyn, 2010). He is entirely correct with the first part of this statement. Most -isms do provoke an argument. They are strong ideas with strong motives behind them. In a sense, multiculturalism is also a strong idea with a strong motive behind it. Yet, the idea that it provokes no argument is rather absurd. It provokes a sort of argument, more of a discussion, about the idea of sharing beliefs and values to better our society. To say that multiculturalism silences all debate is simply not true.

Lastly, he makes an interesting statement by saying "The interesting thing about multiculturalism and diversity is that it is a uni-cultural phenomenon. You can't be multicultural in Saudi Arabia." (Steyn, 2010). Steyn's view of multiculturalism is far too narrow minded and exceedingly limited. He views diversity, culture, and multiculturalism as a "set in stone" phenomenon and more as a definition that is not apt to change. In reality, multiculturalism, culture, diversity, and more are constantly growing and evolving definitions and phenomenons. To take a single country at a single point in time and use it as an example doesn't entirely work. Steyn needs to view multiculturalism over a period of time of at a point in time. This will allow him to see the evolution of cultures and shared beliefs and values and how they have benefited society. While in a large part most people will disagree with Steyn, he certainly makes several interesting points that provide a contrasting view of multiculturalism (that is, that it doesn't exactly and is a mere fantasy to "woo" us). As always, it is these contrasting and controversial views that allow one to see where they lie on the spectrum and tighten their own beliefs and attitudes towards an issue.

** CULTURE ** Culture is not confined to one category of human activity or behavior. Instead, culture is comprised of explicit and tacit meaning-making processes including the assertion of facts or beliefs, assumptions, what a person regards as "common sense" or "naturally" or "obviously" true. One's culture is not static or absolute. Every human being is a multicultural one, as "culture is an active process of meaning making and contest over definition" (Street, 1993, p. 25). We are all making meaning and acting based on what we believe is "right" all of the time. For instance, we believe that there is an optimal time to begin school and that students of similar ages will be at similar developmental levels (hence the grade/age correlations throughout primary and secondary education), that we need to use seat belts (and even have some laws that punish us if we do not), that we need to drink a certain amount of water per day (and we have the nutritional charts to back this up). . . all of this "knowledge" is knowledge and differences of opinion within these categories of belief signify different orientations to culture. These viewpoints are "multicultural".

Further, "meanings include values, attitudes, and feelings... [Culture] is the generation of meaningful behavior [which] includes knowing how to act--for example, knowing how to greet colleagues in the morning, knowing how to design a classroom, or knowing how to rear children" (Anderson-Levitt, 2006, p. 281). There are multicultural viewpoints that dance and play throughout these systems of "knowledge" too. Since this "taken-for-granted knowledge" shifts and grows in individuals, groups, and communities over time, culture is always informed by space, time, and the spread of information.

In terms of cultural anthropology, culture is not a thing; it is not to be reduced to categorical constraints. Rather, culture is a process or an action. Others may define culture (especially when thinking about culture's connection to multiculturalism) as "coded" by participation in racial, ethnic, language, or social groups. Cultural anthropologists would argue that this is a rather limited definition of culture, as it provides only one of many other more generative ways to view multiculturalism.

** CULTURE CONFLICT **

The moment after September 11 passed a kind of world was create. A world fearful of the Muslim community, with this in mind the policies of multiculturalism in America might have given rise to failure based upon the thought that many Muslims fear the examination they could face in this country (Song, 2010). At the start of the twenty-first century, there is talk of a retreat from multiculturalism as a normative ideal and as a set of policies in the West. There is little retreat from recognizing the rights of minority nations and indigenous peoples; the retreat is restricted to immigrant multiculturalism. Part of the backlash against immigrant multiculturalism is based on fear and anxiety about foreigners and nostalgia for an imagined past when everyone shared thick bonds of identity and solidarity. Natives are 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 (Song, 2010). With this is mind creating a border war or our prejudgments based on someone’s race could erupt from fear of a refuge peril occurring in America.

"Cultures are embedded in every conflict because conflicts arise in human relationships. Cultures affect the ways we name, frame, blame, and attempt to tame conflicts” (Culture and Conflict). Due to the innumerable number of cultural aspects therefore it is safely assumed there would be countless numbers of conflicts that arise because of culture. Looking back on an article I read about teachers in low-income school districts that base their teaching styles on cultural aspects found in their students. These teachers divide up their students based most simply on whether they are smart or not. These children are then taught based on which group they were put into. This leads to the “smart” children doing well and the children placed in the not smart class doing poorly because the children were divided based on what the teacher expected not on their actual intellegence. The children show this performance gap not because they are smart or dumb but because they were treated one way or the other based on something the teacher THOUGHT but did not know. This is a HUGE conflict that arises because of culture and needs to be addressed immediately. These students are not just being jipped out of a proper teacher and schooling but also a proper future. On a more broad scale it is undeniable that culture plays a role in conflict. In school, at home, at work, in politics there are conflicts of interest that arise because someone feels one way about something. Since culture literally makes up who we are there is no conflict without it.

Culture is inextricable from conflict, though it does not cause it. When differences surface in families, organizations, or communities, culture is always present, shaping perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes.

Though culture is intertwined with conflict, some approaches to conflict resolution minimize cultural issues and influences. Since culture is like an iceberg -- largely submerged -- it is important to include it in our analyses and interventions. Icebergs unacknowledged can be dangerous, and it is impossible to make choices about them if we don't know their size or place. Acknowledging culture and bringing cultural fluency to conflicts can help all kinds of people make more intentional, adaptive choices."

** MULTICUTLURALISM **

Many people disagree with having a multiculturalistic society and especially people in America. They do not like the way immigrants come into the country and expect everything to cater to them. They believe that if you would like to enter the United States then you should know the language and complete all necessary paper work before entering. They do not agree that as a country they pay for medical bills and housing because they do not have any money. For example, an operating room nurse does cases periodically that are illegal immigrants having surgery done for free because it is being taken out of her check. She does not think this is fair because she worked hard to get where she is and she believes that she should keep her money. Additionally, in the school system she does not think she should be paying money for translators and other professionals needed solely on the reason that illegal aliens are sending their children to school and not paying into the system.

On the other side of the coin are people who believe that everyone deserves a chance. They believe it was not their choice or fault they were born in a poverty stricken country and doest think that we should provide resources to those "in need.”They back up these statements by saying that they just need a little help to get through and then they will no longer need assistance. They say we should educate all children regardless if their parents are citizens or not because every child deserves (and legally) has the right to and education. Also, these people believe everyone should not have to worry about paying for healthcare but instead have all people’s healthcare free.

Of these two categories of people, we can see the one that disagrees with multicultural societies, and the one who does not.

There are many people in this country who are afraid that the nation is being overtaken by immigrants and that the American culture will be lost. Multiculturalism is not exactly welcomed by a portion of the population, and these feelings may stem from the fact that there are more immigrants in the country than ever (even though everyone besides the Native Americans are really immigrants/descendents of an immigrant). Also, due to the fact that “nearly one in five US residents reported speaking a language other than English at home” (Crawford & Krashen, 2007, p. 68), many white Americans feel that English is being threatened in the United States. It’s understandable that people are offended, because supporters of the campaign basically want to “Americanize” the immigrants through language. I feel that being American is not defined by the language or race; it's more about the ideals that founded this country.

Some views of the subject focus on the contrast or the need to maintain differences while others see the subject as more a study of the complimentarily of different cultures. With the African Americans and the equality movement it was an issue for groups rights which for many focused on counter-racism or emphasis on cultural differences. An example would be Malcolm X who was a strong supporter of his race's equality viewed it as the “black revolution ( [] ).” Today we recognize that differences from the cultural to the individual can be beneficial with an increase in learning and thought. Although they would stand in need of proving, the words of our very own nation's leading documents guarantee the prerogative of individuality (Constitution & Bill of Rights). There however, have been improper applications of both emphasizes of multiculturalism. Malcolm X, a leading fighter for the equality of his people also enraged and caused thousands of African Americans to resort to violence. The truth of the matter about these two contrasting views of multiculturalism is that they go hand in hand each with each having its appropriate uses and applications. The important point is to know when.

** MULTICULTURALISM LEADS TO SEGREGATION **

We need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and a much more active, muscular liberalism. DAVID CAMERON, British Prime Minister, saying Britain's policy of "" has led to segregated communities in which Islamic extremism can thrive

1. To become more aware culturally, we all should examine our own cultural values; realize that they are cultural values rather than the ultimate truth about what is right and wrong; and become aware of our stereotypes, biases, and prejudices. Change may follow awareness; certainly change requires awareness" (Turnbull, Wehmeyer, 87)

2. Traditionally, multiculturalism focused on an individual country, internal minorities, who often were the disadvantaged, refugees, and/or immigrants. Now, the focus should be expanded to include not only minorities within a nation, but also ethno-cultural groups within the global society and economy. In a global society we are all members of a minority, that is, tribes interacting and developing as individual human beings in a multicultural context. (Nderu-Boddington, np)

3. "Glenn's been talking about the dangers of [|multiculturalism], but now world leaders are starting to agree with him. Instead of having a melting pot, there has been a growing belief that countries and societies should allow segregated groups to flourish with values that run opposite the values and culture of the home country." (Glenn Beck Website)

4. Granted, Malik is speaking to European multiculturalism, but I've heard others make a similar argument for the United States, and for us at least, it is ridiculous. When trying to correct for decades of organized and systemic discrimination, you have no real choice but to think of the afflicted in terms of their group affiliation. (Pollock)

There are several views on culture and multiculturalism and these are just 4 of the many examples. The first example, Cameron describes how a multicultural policy has actually created an opposite affect that the true intention of multiculturalism. The second example is from a textbook that sets out a whole chapter on diversity and culture and the authors claim that to be able to work and live appropriately with culture, it all starts with awareness. It must begin with self awareness, and then translate into being aware of the culture around you. The third example is a study of multiculturalism, saying that multiculturalism, if implemented properly, there should be no majority or minority, everyone should be the minority because at first multiculturalism was meant to allow minorities to become more accepted but it needs to include everyone. Lastly, we all know Glenn Beck and he believes that an ideal society where there is no dominant culture just would not work and although it seems harsh, some people are starting to realize that although it may be harsh to think about it is a more realistic view of society in many nations.

** MULTICUTLTURALISM AND WOMEN **

If America is intent on building a truly multicultural setting, we must also accept those mosaic tiles with traits that we don't deem as attractive. The clash of cultural practices in a multicultural setting does not always end in good results. What about those cultures that practice polygamy? Or those that oppress women? Although these practices are disparaged by the American mainstream, they do fit into other cultures and are practiced regularly. Okin asserts that the sphere of personal, sexual, and reproductive life provides a central focus of most cultures, a dominant theme in cultural practices and rules (Okin). Much of this seeks the restraint of women by men. Although America has come far from pre-1950’s era, American women are still held back in many areas. Many foreign cultures have not come that far yet.

A good example of this is a recent Phoenix news story. Noor Almeleki, a 20-year-old student, was killed when her father ran her down with his vehicle. Her father, Faleh Hassan Almaleki, an Iraqi immigrant, is accused of killing his daughter because he thought she had become too westernized and had dishonored the family (Holland). Noor Almeleki had begun dating, was going to college and held a job outside the home. Although this is a typical practice for many American twenty-year-olds, Iraqi culture does not condone them. This conflict of cultures presents difficulties for the American-born children and immigrant parents. While assimilating into the mainstream culture and retaining cultural roots is difficult, immigrants must also live by the mainstream laws which disregard many cultural practices that are considered oppressive.

In Brenda Walker's article called Women, Immigration, and Multiculturalism’s Big Lie she talks about how women are mistreated all around the world. She explains that much of the world outside of Europe and America is a wretched place for people who are females. "India is missing 22 million women and girls because of sex-selective abortion, infanticide, and the murder of women by their husbands for having insufficient dowries. Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen has estimated the number to be far higher. The Chinese prefer male children and have performed so many sex-selection abortions that 20 million young men will never marry because there are no young women to be their wives. Thousands of baby girls are simply thrown away every year. But does the shortage raise the value of women? No indeed, entrepreneurial Chinese have responded by kidnapping possible brides by the tens of thousands" (Walker, 2002). I found this to be shocking when I read this. Women deserve to be treated no differently than men. Most women have it good in the U.S. compared to women who live outside of the U.S.

In this video by [|Brenda Walker], she argues that if there is more diversity and multiculturalism in today's society, then the safety of women will be at risk. Walker uses references such as the Islamic culture and the fact that women were once slaves and that those coming to the U.S. should assimilate to our traditions and culture. After reviewing the video, I disagree with her opinions on the subject. I think if the world was a more diverse place, there would be more acceptance for different cultures as well as women! Women constantly get turned down from jobs because employers think they can't handle the work load, etc. If there is more diversity then women will be accepted in all different aspects.