Does Multiculturalism Work?

[ChristServant]

Can different cultures, with so many differences on culture, heritage, lifestyles, Religion and pride in all aspects of these things, ever be truly united without someone giving up who they are or what they are or what they believe?

 

[solid_core]

Can different cultures, with so many differences on culture, heritage, lifestyles, Religion and pride in all aspects of these things, ever be truly united without someone giving up who they are or what they are or what they believe?

No.

There is no country in the world where multiculturalism was successful. And countries where the multiculturalism is the most spread are internally messed up the most.

Some cultures/races seem to be compatible (for example whites and asians), some seem to be incompatible.

 

[Running2win]

No. People tend to gravitate toward people that are the same culture as themselves. God divided the nations and all are different. Until every person has the same belief system, and have a new nature, there will always be wars- if not outwardly, inwardly.

 

[Kentonio]

Depends what you mean by multiculturalism. When I was growing up in the UK years ago a form of multiculturalism was tried that emphasized aiding and supporting communities to retain their full culture as a separate entity from the national culture. I dislike that approach intensely and believe it simply ends up with a ghettoization of minority cultures and a weakening of overall society.

What seems much more healthy is to encourage integration, while also giving people the freedom to celebrate elements of their culture that are compatible with their host nation and which enrich the national melting pool. The integration of Indians into the UK is a good example of this, with the most popular culinary dish in the country being an Indian dish.

 

[ChristServant]

Depends what you mean by multiculturalism. When I was growing up in the UK years ago a form of multiculturalism was tried that emphasized aiding and supporting communities to retain their full culture as a separate entity from the national culture. I dislike that approach intensely and believe it simply ends up with a ghettoization of minority cultures and a weakening of overall society.

What seems much more healthy is to encourage integration, while also giving people the freedom to celebrate elements of their culture that are compatible with their host nation and which enrich the national melting pool. The integration of Indians into the UK is a good example of this, with the most popular culinary dish in the country being an Indian dish.

Seems to be working well for you in France.

 

[Kentonio]

Seems to be working well for you in France.

I live here, but I don't understand the culture/society well enough to honestly give an opinion. It seems like France has some pretty big issues with Algerians in particular not integrating too well, but I don't know enough to know if that's really true or why.

 

[ChristServant]

Depends what you mean by multiculturalism. When I was growing up in the UK years ago a form of multiculturalism was tried that emphasized aiding and supporting communities to retain their full culture as a separate entity from the national culture. I dislike that approach intensely and believe it simply ends up with a ghettoization of minority cultures and a weakening of overall society.

What seems much more healthy is to encourage integration, while also giving people the freedom to celebrate elements of their culture that are compatible with their host nation and which enrich the national melting pool. The integration of Indians into the UK is a good example of this, with the most popular culinary dish in the country being an Indian dish.

I remember, I was at the end of positive discrimination as it's called, on a few occasions. I call it racism.

 

[Kentonio]

I remember, I was at the end of positive discrimination as it's called, on a few occasions. I call it racism.

I have too, and yes it is racism, however I can also see that when you have two parties very economically apart, if you don't tip the scales at least temporarily they're always likely to remain separated. It doesn't make it fair to the people who are disadvantaged in the meantime, but sometimes a greater societal good requires sacrifice.

 

[Halbhh]

Depends what you mean by multiculturalism. When I was growing up in the UK years ago a form of multiculturalism was tried that emphasized aiding and supporting communities to retain their full culture as a separate entity from the national culture. I dislike that approach intensely and believe it simply ends up with a ghettoization of minority cultures and a weakening of overall society.

What seems much more healthy is to encourage integration, while also giving people the freedom to celebrate elements of their culture that are compatible with their host nation and which enrich the national melting pool. The integration of Indians into the UK is a good example of this, with the most popular culinary dish in the country being an Indian dish.

I did think instantly of bagpipes and kilts, which of course are Scottish... and we see now they are part of the general U.K. culture. And they are even a small part of American culture now.

So, that seems a multiculturalism that results in a blend of culture, over time. Into a new hybrid.

Taco Bell. Heh heh.

 

[Halbhh]

Interestingly, bagpipes, which made me think of Scotland and also are old in Ireland, possibly are just an import.

The evidence for bagpipes prior to the 13th century AD is still uncertain but several textual and visual clues have been suggested. The Oxford History of Music says that a sculpture of bagpipes has been found on a Hittite slab at Euyuk in Anatolia, dated to 1000 BC. Several authors identify the ancient Greek askaulos (ἀσκός askos – wine-skin, αὐλός aulos – reed pipe) with the bagpipe.[2] In the 2nd century AD, Suetonius described the Roman emperor Nero as a player of the tibia utricularis.[3] Dio Chrysostom wrote in the 1st century of a contemporary sovereign (possibly Nero) who could play a pipe (tibia, Roman reedpipes similar to Greek and Etruscan instruments) with his mouth as well as by tucking a bladder beneath his armpit.[4]
Bagpipes - Wikipedia

 

[MIDutch]

While not perfect, it seems to be workable in certain other countries. More often than not, there are more problems with football tribalism (Ajax vs Feyenoord, Man U vs Liverpool, Celtic vs Rangers, Bayern Munchen vs Dortmund, Inter vs Milan, Real Madrid vs Barcelona, etc.) than there is with multiculturism. Note: some of these countries have had experience (good and bad) with multiculturism for centuries.

 

[dqhall]

Can different cultures, with so many differences on culture, heritage, lifestyles, Religion and pride in all aspects of these things, ever be truly united without someone giving up who they are or what they are or what they believe?

The United States is 63% White non-Hispanic. That may have changed with a more recent census.

Protestants outnumber Roman Catholics. Many people are secular, or are not openly showing their religious preference.

People can agree about some issues that affect us, but it is not possible for everyone to agree. Tolerance of diversity may be a good thing. Washington, D.C. is a Black majority city, but the United States is a White majority nation. Los Angeles has a Hispanic mayor. There are more Hispanic voters than Black voters.

Asians are the wealthiest ethnicity based on per capita income. They do not have the most voters. They have a work ethic.
List of ethnic groups in the United States by household income - Wikipedia

 

[Halbhh]

No. People tend to gravitate toward people that are the same culture as themselves. God divided the nations and all are different. Until every person has the same belief system, and have a new nature, there will always be wars- if not outwardly, inwardly.

Bagpipes -- see the short history note in post #10 just above. They are a good example of the import and blending of cultures that naturally happens.

The question isn't whether diverse people will import culture and blend it. They definitely will.

America is the ultimate example, the 'melting pot', or the blending pot.

The question isn't about whether cultures will blend, since they simply will. The real question is different --

Will people peacefully love their neighbors as themselves, even though those neighbors are not just like them, superficially? (but are in a profound way just like them in essence -- human!)

Here's what God said about it --

Leviticus 19:34 You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 10:19 So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Can different cultures, with so many differences on culture, heritage, lifestyles, Religion and pride in all aspects of these things, ever be truly united without someone giving up who they are or what they are or what they believe?

 

[Kentonio]

Interestingly, bagpipes, which made me think of Scotland and also are old in Ireland, possibly are just an import.

The evidence for bagpipes prior to the 13th century AD is still uncertain but several textual and visual clues have been suggested. The Oxford History of Music says that a sculpture of bagpipes has been found on a Hittite slab at Euyuk in Anatolia, dated to 1000 BC. Several authors identify the ancient Greek askaulos (ἀσκός askos – wine-skin, αὐλός aulos – reed pipe) with the bagpipe.[2] In the 2nd century AD, Suetonius described the Roman emperor Nero as a player of the tibia utricularis.[3] Dio Chrysostom wrote in the 1st century of a contemporary sovereign (possibly Nero) who could play a pipe (tibia, Roman reedpipes similar to Greek and Etruscan instruments) with his mouth as well as by tucking a bladder beneath his armpit.[4]
Bagpipes - Wikipedia

I wish they'd left them there, I hate the annoying things..

 

[MIDutch]

The question is different -- will people peacefully love their neighbors as themselves?

Depends on whose (proper) football jesey you're wearing.

 

[Kentonio]

While not perfect, it seems to be workable in certain other countries. More often than not, there are more problems with football tribalism (Ajax vs Feyenoord, Man U vs Liverpool, Celtic vs Rangers, Bayern Munchen vs Dortmund, Inter vs Milan, Real Madrid vs Barcelona, etc.) than there is with multiculturism. Note: some of these countries have had experience (good and bad) with multiculturism for centuries.

It's funny though, the football tribalism usually is a fairly harmless way of letting off steam and giving an outlet for people's natural urge to group together and have someone to dislike. In the past its unfortunately resulted in quite a lot of violence, but these days for instance its usually fairly harmless. It definitely seems much healthier hating a football team than hating a race of people or another country.

I try and have empathy for most people, but I will still despise and loathe Liverpool FC till my dying day.

 

[durangodawood]

Having a hard time with this question. The more I look into it, "multiculturalism" seems a slippery term. Cant grasp it with bare hands.

 

[Halbhh]

Having a hard time with this question. The more I look into it, "multiculturalism" seems a slippery term. Cant grasp it with bare hands.

Right. The word 'multiculturalism' could mean just the fact of what's happened in America for hundreds of years.

Or...something different, like people refusing to get to really know anyone from other ethnic groups.

I think there is a constant struggle between:

"Love your neighbor as yourself" and the opposite.

'Multicultural' is a word that is about that nexus -- will people love their neighbors or stay alienated from them?

 

[Running2win]

Bagpipes -- see the short history note in post #10 just above. They are a good example of the import and blending of cultures that naturally happens.

The question isn't whether diverse people will import culture and blend it. They definitely will.

America is the ultimate example, the 'melting pot', or the blending pot.

The question isn't about whether cultures will blend, since they simply will. The real question is different --

Will people peacefully love their neighbors as themselves, even though those neighbors are not just like them, superficially? (but are in a profound way just like them in essence -- human!)

Here's what God said about it --

Leviticus 19:34 You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 10:19 So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

No. Not until the eternal kingdom. Taking on the culture and customs of the people around them was always Israels down fall.

 

[durangodawood]

No. Not until the eternal kingdom. Taking on the culture and customs of the people around them was always Israels down fall.

So youre just staring at the Bible and saying "No" to it? Thats what it looks like when you flatly reject those two commands.