Multiculturalism : My Position
I have tried numerous times to write this but have been a bit afraid to do so for I know that given the recent tensions and controversies that it will upset people. People who I like and respect. People who offense is the last thing I wish to give them. But, I believe this is too important to let slide, so here it is.
The topic of discussion is multiculturalism and why, in spite of its many problems, I do not think it has failed, nor do I view it in a negative light.
Now, why do I think this? This comes in multiple parts, but I will begin with this. Multiculturalism works. Now I’m sure plenty of you are already jumping out of your seats to deny this, but let me finish. I am not saying it works all the time or that it is flawless, but multiculturalism can, and does work. Let me give you a few examples, starting with one of my favorites. Japan. Japan’s populace is homogenous, this is true, but its culture is not. A mixture of Western values, arts, and mannerisms mixed with its more traditional side means that Japan is a shining example of how cultures can blend. It was not done overnight, nor without issues; namely what allowed for Western influences to arrive in Japan. In spite of this they have mixed and I doubt Japan will ever be able to, if they even want to, return to what they were before. Another example is the United States. Again, not perfect and we’re seeing plenty of that now. But I’ve noticed that we tend to focus on the negative of cultures mixing, and forget that, not only do people within the United States generally get along in spite of different cultures, but that, in comparison to other countries, the United States is a shining success. Tensions remain. From the old days of the KKK to the modern problems with BLM, things are far from perfect, but that’s human nature. We can’t reach perfection, but that does not mean that something is not a success or that it is doomed to fail. Is simply means what you all know. We’re just human.
The next part is something I think everyone forgot or seems to let slip their mind. Every culture that is or ever was is a mixture of former cultures. That is to say, multicultural. Take any culture on the planet. English. Mixture of Anglo-Saxon, French, and Roman. Japanese. Yamato, Chinese, Korean, Ainu, Okinawan/Ryukyuan, American. And American? How much time do you have? Every culture is some mix of other cultures. A culture cannot grow without other influences. This is not to say that traditions are bad, but all those traditions likely came from older cultures. Cultures that mixed and over time, formed something new. To be against multiculturalism is to be against human nature and its tendency, if not need, to mix.
None of this is to say that there are not problems with multuralism. Indeed I have already stated some of the issues and am completely understanding if you are wary of it. I am even willing to go so far as to say that some cultures, or at least some aspects of them, do not mix well or cannot mix at all with others. I for one would never accept the part of Indian culture that allows both animals and humans to defecate in public. It is simply too unsanitary, ignorant, and repugnant. I too, would never accept Islam’s allowance of child marriages to much older adults. That disgusts me to no end. Simply put, there are some cultures that don’t or can’t mix, and I am fully in the belief that some cultures are inferior to others. To these I say that they should be ignored, belittled, and slowly but surely whittled out of existence. Yet some, indeed many cultures can and do mix well. I have little to no problem with my English counterparts, and I only playfully joke with my Canadian ones. Italy, Greece, Spain, Japan, Korea, all these and more I have little doubt I could get along with just fine. Not perfectly, and perhaps not without conflict, yet I am solid in my belief that our cultures, in spite of their differences, may coexist, mix, and prosper together.
I hope this gives you something to think about and possibly reconsider your position. I understand if you are unconvinced and think I’m wrong. Perhaps I am. Yet it is important to examine one’s position. I encourage you to share your thoughts, I only ask that you be civil. Disagreement is one thing, rage is another. Anyway, I thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you.
DiscipleOfEpictetus