Commentary
By Alpha Umaru Shaw Jr, Toronto, Canada.
E-mail: alpshawtec@yahoo.com
Very often , we hear of diversity issues, differences of opinion regarding policies affecting people with different ethnic backgrounds in corporations, social settings and even political issues crop up because of this very important factor(multiculturalism). Time and again , we see sparks flying, heated debates and battles of words because people cannot see eye to eye on multicultural issues.
What is multiculturalism? Does it allow for integration or segregation? How does it benefit the politicians? What does it do to the society? This is a topic that is debatable because the views depend on the experience of the person who is asked this question. For example, if we ask an immigrant, he or she may feel that in a multicultural country ,the government should set policies that allow different people from different cultures to express themselves.
On the other hand, if the question is posed to someone who was born and bred in the country which already has people from all over the world living there, the response could very well be that the policies should allow new comers to integrate well into their new surroundings but not go to the extent of changing the culture of the native land .
For example, not long ago the month of December was the time to welcome Jolly old ‘St. Nicholas” or Santa Clause. Multinational corporations would plan corporate parties and send out messages asking their staff to join the Chrismas party, as ‘holiday party”’ and believe that they are being politically right.
There is no harm in calling any festival what it is, whether it is Christmas, Eid or the festival of lights. True multiculturism is a mosaic where people from different backgrounds can live in harmony while following their own traditions.
However, multiculturalism does not mean following your own tradition and not appreciating or understanding the traditions of the host country. While we want others to accept us for what we are, similarly we should not impose our views on others. It’s a give and take, a two way concept. Think of the time when we go to community events and had to sing two national anthems, the Canadian national anthem plus the national anthem of the country of our origin.
Many people can sing the national anthem of their country of origin but not the Canadian national anthem or vice versa. The intent of multicultural policies however is rather to have people sing both national anthems . the idea is to believe in peaceful co-existence. Multiculturalism is the first step towards recognizing different ethnic cultures and accepting that the world is made of people who follow different traditions especially in an age of globalization ,where people move from one part of the world to another.
It is important to understand and promote various ethnic cultures. The policy of multiculturalism is generally linked to the concepts of assimilation and social integration. Generally, an organization, including countries, accept and promote multiple ethnic cultures for practical reasons and implement policies dealing with multiculturalism. The goal is to advocate equal status to distinct ethnic groups without promoting any specific group.
For example, multinational corporations have embraced diversity in workplaces for the practical reasons of tapping into talent in the global markets as opposed to the local market . Like everything else, multiculturalism has its own pros and cons. Advocates of multiculturalism believe that it is a fair system that allows people to truly express who they are within a society that is more tolerant and that adapts better to social issues. This creates a society that is more tolerant, appreciates and has respect for people with different backgrounds that speak different languages, who practice different faiths .
For instance, in a truly multicultural society, when you come across a person wearing a head-scarf or turban, you don’t shy away or hesitate to mingle with them. It is a better system because culture is always changing and it is not a definable thing based on one race or religion, but is the result of multiple factors that change as the world changes.
Multiculturalism, in the words of Malcolm X (1925-1965), American black leaderand activist, is just like when you get some coffee that is too black, which means its too strong, what do you do ? You integrate it with cream , you make it weak . But if you pour too much cream in it , you won’t even know you ever had coffee. It used to be hot, now it’s cool. It used to be strong, now it’s weak . It used to wake you up, now it puts you to sleep.
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