Multicultral society

[miki78]

I was just wondering if people are for or against a Multicultral society in there country

I love the fact that when i walk down the street the faces that look back at me are from so many diffrent cultures and religions

[Mars Man]

I'd have to say that I'm basically for multicultural society, as long as those social groups are careful not to attempt to intrude into, and then erase or force change on other culture groups, and at the same time allow its members to choose freely among the several available cultures--even if that means some loss of number or purity.

[leonmarino]

I am in favor of a multi-cultural society, but it's too easy and naive to say "the more the merrier".
I live in Rotterdam, Holland. It is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Holland. Currently, around 45% of its inhabitants is "allochtonous", a term that denotes someone who is either a foreigner or is of directly foreign descent (one or both parents are foreigners). There also regions in this city where the ratio is higher, upto 85%.
The major part of these people are either economical refugees or (ex)guest workers. In Holland they make up a large part of the social underclass. Being from the lower classes, these people often do not have access to the resources needed for proper education; many generations are "stuck" living like that. Also, the Dutch government, thinking it'd be "racist" to address the problem, simply have ignored the problems for years, and failed to stand up for these people and motivate them to integrate into Dutch society and educate themselves.
This has caused alienation and a tense friction between the ethnic Dutch and "allochtones". Cultural clashes in everyday life has been experienced as incomprehensible by the common man and ignored by government leaders. Making matters worse, the criminal activities caused by these people of lower classes has bred a negative stereotype. (people of lower classes commit more crime, no matter what ethnicity) The recent terrorist attacks and further secularization of Muslims has made matters even worse.
Sure, I would love a multi-cultural society; I am very curious by nature and love to hear stories about other cultures and countries. But as of this moment this society we have here in Rotterdam is far from a friendly melting pot. The word for society in Dutch is "samenliving", which translates to "living together".. Right now this "togetherness" is merely a societal utopia, unrecognizable in the streets.
A multi-cultural society needs guidance and management until it is self-sustaining, and after decades of ignorance and neglect, I sometimes think it is too late. I hope for the better, but I wonder if my idealized image of a multi-cultural society will ever be applicable for Holland.

[ricecake]

It's novelty can wear out in time,cruel reality awakens as many later realize living in a multi-cultural society with different peoples are suffocating and can lead to ethnic strifes or racial tensions.In truth,very few regardless of race or ethnicity would choose to live with other kinds.Of-course,no one dares to admit because it can be perceived as " racist ".

There are some in America began whining back in early 1990's,this country became " too much melting pot ".

I am the one voted " against ' in this polling,am not a supporter of such noble ideal.

[Mars Man]

While I believe that I do quite fully understand the problems that ricecake and leonmarino have brought up, and do agree that it is a reality in the way things have become, I would also suggest that actually it is the lack of (not have adequate refinement of) culture, among those who allow themselves to fall into such a 'blackhole' of ignorance and over seriousness of their own culture.

The essence of living ones life wrapped in the mantle of a certain culture need not be taken, by that one, as a means to an end in human existence--which too often appears to be the case. Also, 'culture' is surely a thing of knowledge and learning anyway, so to learn and educate oneself in the culture in which they have been born and raised is a matter of course, and to do the same for other cultures is a very recommendable thing. So, education is really a key factor! That voice for education should come from within the culture group itself, I would argue, and most unfortunately, has not happened so much in the real world--so...the problems.

I lived with people from Gujarat India for about a year, four of us in an apartment in New Jersey, and worked with them closely for even longer. I have lived with people from Mexico, in Arizona, and tasted that culture too. I now live here, and in the process of trying to teach my sons all four cultures, and have them be able to balance an 'international attitude' as much as possible. Education is the key player.

[Kinsao]

I live in a fairly multicultural city (approx. 50% of the population not "white British"), and on the whole, people get a long pretty well. There are occasional incidents/frictions of course, but there is not a great deal of racial tension. I like living in a multicultural environment because I can learn about different countries and cultures; it is interesting. There are celebrations from various festivals, lots of different arts and stuff... I think that as long as people show respect, it's good.

Of course, I'm naively thinking of the "ideal world" where people are respectful and tolerant; I recognise that there are problems, it's not so good for everybody, if it causes issues with identity, integration, social problems etc... but I am just thinking at the most superficial level and for example in a place like my city where it works well.

[ricecake]

Across America,people of all races do live in harmony.Younger generation white-Americans are much more tolerance of other races than their grandparents' generation.Political correctness has beaten into all of us for 3 decades now,we refrain from making outward bigoted remarks in public.

The question remains,do majority ordinary folks genuinely would live with other kinds if they have a choice.

America's ethnic majority commonly would sell out and leave when other kinds begin buying properties in the neighborhood.

The truth lies beneath the skin.

[Dutch Baka]

I like a Multicultral Society, as long as it won't get to Multicultural... When I walk down in Amsterdam, I feel being in another country so now and then. So that goes to far!

[Elizabeth]

America's ethnic majority commonly would sell out and leave when other kinds begin buying properties in the neighborhood.
The truth lies beneath the skin.

Consistent with more recent data, long-term, stable integrated neighborhoods are actually fairly substantial and increasing quickly, perhaps inevitably becoming the norm of the future. Whites moving out isn't so much the issue anymore as that middle-class (primarily) buyers are avoiding partially black/Hispanic neighborhoods from a fear of the area going overwhelming ethnic and the property values or quality of life decreasing dramatically as a result. Hopefully, if it isn't irrational racism at root, with some small govt intervention the situation can partially be reversed.

[Mars Man]

Originally Posted by ricecake

The truth lies beneath the skin.

That's for sure !! I fully agree !!

[Sukotto]

A couple years ago I was able to see this movie "The Color of Fear".
It was amazing and brought up difficult issues. Really made one think.
It got quite heated at times. There was about 10 men of different backgrounds that sat around and discussed racism/ethnicity, whatever. (there is a similar movie with women doing the same, I am told) One particular exchange was like: At least one person didn't like that others 'flaunted' their culture. While others were like, why should I be like you? Why should I give up who I am just to please you? This is who I am.
I'll leave it at that.


I would say, in the US, we already have, and in fact have always had a multi-cultural society. It's just that those that can afford superior technology should not go insane, think they are superior and go killing (and jailing) those with out. Claiming it is some 'natural, lawful order' of things.

[Elizabeth]

I don't think very many people anywhere are going to feel completely at ease living solely or with a small number of others in close proximity to an overwhelming concentration composing a different single race, social class (especially), ethnicity, religion etc. On the other hand, where the multiculturalism truly multi -- where it is sprinkled evenly around so everyone is essentially a minority (although there may be a plurality on certain aspects) the comfort level increases dramatically, at least that's been the case with integration in the US, and the possibilities for mutual understanding with cross cultural relationships are much greater.
The question is really too broad, depending on the particular ethnicity, their class standing, generations in the country, etc. and leaves out too many essential factors....

[Sukotto]

Japan too is a Multi-cultural society and always has been (too).

Multicultural Japan: Palaeolithic to Postmodern has articles by various scholars from many different fields of study of Japan.


from reviewer at above link, warning:
"the proceedings would not serve well as an introduction to Japanese culture"



Chapters 3 and 4, at least, state that ideas of today, such as that of looking to the past and constructing a mono-culture 'then', are nothing more than ideologies of powerful interests now to maintain or strengthen those interests.
i.e. "used politically to cement a national identity" (says reviewer)

[yukio_michael]

Originally Posted by Sukotto

Japan too is a Multi-cultural society and always has been (too).

Multicultural Japan: Palaeolithic to Postmodern has articles by various scholars from many different fields of study of Japan.

Yes, I think it's academic to say, I mean, this common argument that Japan is multi-cultural... MOST places are multicultural in ethnicity. It's how well a society recognises and allows cultures & ethnicities in the minority to not only voice their opinions but to have sovereign rights to practice and keep their own identities that marks a society as truly 'multi-cultural'. Japan it seems, fails in this aspect in profound and meaningful ways.

If you are Korean, and wish to become a Japanese citizen, you must give up your own ethnic identity--- you are erased. To the Japanese this is part & parcel to becoming a Japanese citizen, but isn't turning a blind eye to minorities a form of psychological ethnic cleansing?

[Sukotto]

Originally Posted by yukio_michael

but isn't turning a blind eye to minorities a form of psychological ethnic cleansing?

If i'm not mistaken, genocide doesn't mean only physically murdering people.

For example, the sending of the children of America's First Nations away to boarding school to "europeanize" or de-Indianize them against their will.

[ricecake]

Originally Posted by Sukotto

Japan too is a Multi-cultural society and always has been (too).

Multi-Mongoloid ethnics NOT equate to " multi-cultural society ",Japan is mainly East Asian ( culturally and racially ) homogeneous society.

[kamaru]

What a coincidence , that's the exact topic I'm currently studying in my college English course , so I might have a few ideas...
i actually think it's a relative question. Multicultures can't always coexist. If the presence of different cultures in one society isn't correctly monitored (peaceful conflicts resolutions, equality,...) then multiculture would become a threat to the stability of the nation.. It can lead to the appearance of sub-societies like the case of the US or to civil wars like the one that happened in my country 30 years ago...
Nevertheless these societies can exist especially were people overlook your appearence, religion and origin (maybe a bit ideal but I'm sure somewhere it exists)...

[moffeltoff]

If person a immigrates into country x person a has to except not only the laws of this country but also the social ones for example adapt to the mainstream culture in a way ,which makes it easy to live in that country for immigrants and the natives.
At the moment itｴs a big issue in germany with muslim women wairing theyｴre vails in gouverment institutions ,we live in a laicist country so there religious symbols should be kept out of official positions altogether.
In generall I think you could say multiculturism is somehting ,which can work as long as a mainstream culture is maintained and the minority cultures adapt to this in a way ,which causes minimal tension.

[Sukotto]

Originally Posted by ricecake

Multi-Mongoloid ethnics NOT equate to " multi-cultural society ",Japan is mainly East Asian ( culturally and racially ) homogeneous society.

Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions with my statement there,
and should have said, "some say that...."

I did not know "multi-cultural" meant people had to look substantially different. No definition of "mult-cultural" I've ever heard of required such.
Take just Spanish speaking Latin America. There's so much diversity there.

Historically didn't people come not only from NorthEast Asia, but also from the south, including the Pacific?

There is population of Koreans,
Korea & Japan I would consider different cultures in any book.
And from what I understand Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cultures are
more different from each other than many European cultures are from each other.

And people of Okinawa and the Ainu have different traditional cultures
and are not exactly genetic clones of "mainlanders".


Based on that last sentance alone.
I think that supports Japan being multi-cultural, despite attempts to "Japanize" Okinawans.

[yukio_michael]

Originally Posted by Sukotto

Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions with my statement there,
and should have said, "some say that...."

You should probably never preface anything you say with the words, "some say [that]", it's a form often used by people who are trying to inject an opinion by phrasing it as if it were a type of citation.

"Some say that Japan has a great system for recognising and celebrating the ethnic minorities of its country."

It sounds like not just some person, but many people think this, regardless if it is actually true.

[Nana007]

In a perfect world it would be a multicuteral society, and races would live in harmony.

But its not a perfect world. And the perfect world wont happen anytime soon.

The U.S is seriously still segragrated in many many ways.

[Sukotto]

Originally Posted by yukio_michael

You should probably never preface anything you say with the words, "some say [that]", it's a form often used by people who are trying to inject an opinion by phrasing it as if it were a type of citation.

"Some say that Japan has a great system for recognising and celebrating the ethnic minorities of its country."

It sounds like not just some person, but many people think this, regardless if it is actually true.

AAAAHHHH!!!!
Am i becoming a mini-Faux news?

In the video "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism"
they cover that extensively.
"some would say...." x 50k

"The people in this book _____ might say different"
is a better sentance.


The mono-culture thing of Japan is heard almost everywhere.
Including in Japanese laguage classes.
Classes about Japanese culture touch on the Ainu, Koreans, and Burakuman as being different groups, and sometimes Okinawa.
Is it mandated from the Japanese Ministry of Education to teach that Japan in mono-culture as they mandate that every class across the country be on the same page in the same books on the same day?
If so, maybe that goes towards what some of the scholars in the Multi-cultural Japan book are saying, saying Japan was mono-culture way back when, is a way of using political power today.
?

[ricecake]

Originally Posted by Sukotto

The mono-culture thing of Japan is heard almost everywhere including in Japanese laguage classes.Classes about Japanese culture touch on the Ainu, Koreans, and Burakuman as being different groups, and sometimes Okinawa.

Absolutely correct to say Japan is one-culture as in culturally homogeneous with native Yamato population comprised of several Mongoloid ethnic-origins.

In America,there is Swiss-German " Amish " community proudly held onto culture and traditions of their European forebears.

[Sukotto]

Originally Posted by ricecake

Absolutely correct to say Japan is one-culture as in culturally homogeneous with native Yamato population comprised of several Mongoloid ethnic-origins.
In America,there is Swiss-German " Amish " community proudly held onto culture and traditions of their European forebears.

Maybe I'm missing something?
I would consider Swiss-German " Amish " a different culture
from Swiss-German non-Amish as well the rest of current day US cultures.

[zero g]

Personally we can get along as one so whatever... ^_^