Multiculturalism: What does it really mean?

[YYCpoliticsguy]

I came across this the other day and thought it was really interesting. We just take the policy of multiculturalism as a given for Canada, but do we really understand what the term means and what impacts it really has? I've heard of Salim Mansur before and I know his views are controversial -- which means this event is bound to be full of heated debate.

Check it out: http://policyschool.ucalgary.ca/events

Edited November 7, 2011 by YYCpoliticsguy

[Shwa]

We just take the policy of multiculturalism as a given for Canada, but do we really understand what the term means and what impacts it really has?

Do you? Outside of controversial speaking engagements I mean. If you do, why not explain it?

[scribblet]

I came across this the other day and thought it was really interesting. We just take the policy of multiculturalism as a given for Canada, but do we really understand what the term means and what impacts it really has? I've heard of Salim Mansur before and I know his views are controversial -- which means this event is bound to be full of heated debate.

Check it out: http://policyschool.ucalgary.ca/events

IMO it means throwing aside our own culture and heritage in favour of others, along with being ever so careful to make sure that everyone else's religion, culture and so on are accommodated, even if ours are not...

Hold the flames please...

[guyser]

IMO it means throwing aside our own culture and heritage in favour of others, along with being ever so careful to make sure that everyone else's religion, culture and so on are accommodated, even if ours are not...

Come on what a load of cr..

Hold the flames please...

Ah alright then.

[Battletoads]

Its true definition is accepting that other civilized cultures are as equally valid as our own.

The key part of that definition is civilized, some people seem to think that the backwards societies of the world are valid in any way...

[Argus]

Its true definition is accepting that other civilized cultures are as equally valid as our own.

The key part of that definition is civilized, some people seem to think that the backwards societies of the world are valid in any way...

Valid is a strange term to use. I'm not even sure what it means. If I understand what you're saying you believe the concept is that all cultures are equal. I.e., that no culture should have predominance over another. And that's simply nonsense. Clearly not all cultures are equal. Clearly some cultures are backward in many respects, barbaric, brutal, and lacking respect for some of the basic concepts of our own culture, such as freedom of speech, religion and association, as well as equality and respect.

In a way it's an odd situation where those who support multiculturalism want us all to respect the cultures of some people who don't respect the basics of our culture - the one they've voluntarily joined. That is to say, we should 'respect' the beliefs of those who don't respect our beliefs, who, in fact, are unalterably opposed to our beliefs, mainly because, to be honest, they're primitive, superstitious savages.

Oh, am I being judgmental again?

[Moonlight Graham]

Multiculturalism means the destruction of Canadian nationalism. It means the erosion of any kind of Canadian culture, because multiculturalism means that Canada's culture is that of all cultures, which is to say no unique culture of its own at all.

Having a sense of Canadian culture, a sense of belonging to a Canadian nation, is very important in the system of sovereign states we live in. It produces loyalty and pride for Canada, instead of encouraging immigrants to keep most of their loyalty and pride with another nation/culture. How dangerous is that? Especially when the next large interstate war breaks out requiring the draft?

[scribblet]

Valid is a strange term to use. I'm not even sure what it means. If I understand what you're saying you believe the concept is that all cultures are equal. I.e., that no culture should have predominance over another. And that's simply nonsense. Clearly not all cultures are equal. Clearly some cultures are backward in many respects, barbaric, brutal, and lacking respect for some of the basic concepts of our own culture, such as freedom of speech, religion and association, as well as equality and respect.

In a way it's an odd situation where those who support multiculturalism want us all to respect the cultures of some people who don't respect the basics of our culture - the one they've voluntarily joined. That is to say, we should 'respect' the beliefs of those who don't respect our beliefs, who, in fact, are unalterably opposed to our beliefs, mainly because, to be honest, they're primitive, superstitious savages.

Oh, am I being judgmental again?

Well said. !!

[Smallc]

Multiculturalism means the destruction of Canadian nationalism. It means the erosion of any kind of Canadian culture, because multiculturalism means that Canada's culture is that of all cultures, which is to say no unique culture of its own at all.

No, that's a misinterpretation. Multiculturalism is about being a culture of cultures. We take what makes us who we are, and add to it.

[Moonlight Graham]

No, that's a misinterpretation. Multiculturalism is about being a culture of cultures. We take what makes us who we are, and add to it.

Add to it? More like strip it away. If a nation's culture is increasingly defined as being a great many separate cultures, then what the heck kind of culture is that? It's the erosion of a unique national culture, because publicly favoring any single culture is deemed unacceptable (ie: Christmas, Halloween etc. not allowed in public schools).

How long until Xmas music won't be played in Walmart because people complain? How long until celebrating the end of WWII is a faux pas because it offends Germans/Italians/Japanese? I want to live in Canada, not the UN General Assembly.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Moonlight Graham

[Smallc]

Add to it? More like strip it away. If a nation's culture is increasingly defined as being a great many separate cultures, then what the heck kind of culture is that? It's the erosion of a unique national culture, because publicly favoring any single culture is deemed unacceptable (ie: Christmas, Halloween etc. not allowed in public schools).

I'm sorry to tell you this, but Canada's culture has always been one that was formed on the basis of other cultures. These new cultures have added to the Canadian fabric, not taken from it. This is one of those cases of harkening back to a time that never existed.

[August1991]

Valid is a strange term to use. I'm not even sure what it means. If I understand what you're saying you believe the concept is that all cultures are equal. I.e., that no culture should have predominance over another. And that's simply nonsense.

That's not what multiculturalism is.

Canada has two official languages but no official culture. IOW, the State does not have an obligation to support any specific culture. Culture in Canada is an affair of private individuals.

Here is how Trudeau described it in the House of Commons in 1971:

Mr. Speaker, I am happy this morning to be able to reveal to the House that the government has accepted all those recommendations of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism which are contained in Volume IV of its reports directed to federal departments and agencies. Hon. members will recall that the subject of this volume is "the contribution by other ethnic groups to the cultural enrichment of Canada and the measures that should be taken to safeguard that contribution".

Volume IV examined this whole question of cultural and ethnic pluralism in this country and the status of our various cultures and languages, an area of study given all too little attention in the past by scholars.

It was the view of the royal commission, shared by the government and, I am sure, by all Canadians, that there cannot be one cultural policy for Canadians of British and French origin, another for the original peoples and yet a third for all others. For although there are two official languages, there is no official culture, nor does any ethnic group take precedence over any other. No citizen or group of citizens is other than Canadian, and all should be treated fairly.

...

A policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework commends itself to the government as the most suitable means of assuring the cultural freedom of Canadians. Such a policy should help to break down discriminatory attitudes and cultural jealousies. National unity if it is to mean anything in the deeply personal sense, must be founded on confidence in one's own individual identity; out of this can grow respect for that of others and a willingness to share ideas, attitudes and assumptions. A vigorous policy of multiculturalism will help create this initial confidence. It can form the base of a society which is based on fair play for all.

...

In conclusion, I wish to emphasize the view of the government that a policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework is basically the conscious support of individual freedom of choice.

Link

Incidentally, I started a thread on this topic several years ago: Multiculturalism, Trudeau, Quebec & Landry 30th Anniversary of the Bill 101

[Shwa]

I often wonder if people confuse multiethnic with mulitcultural, of if there is little to distingiush between the two. One writer I am reading describes multiculturalism as the post-modern concept of cultural plurality.

Even still, as multicultural as we are, the common language of cultural dialogue is largely in English and, to a lesser degree, French. Insofar as the transmission of culture goes, language is a fairly important component. In this sense, I think we accept multiculturalism on a two-generation basis in that, if you have been here for more than two generations, there is much less tolerance for poor English or French language skills in public. (The only exception I can think of are Native languages that are still taught as the mother tongue.) I would think that by the second generation a member of any ethnicity or culture in Canada is proficient in English or French.

[Battletoads]

Valid is a strange term to use. I'm not even sure what it means. If I understand what you're saying you believe the concept is that all cultures are equal. I.e., that no culture should have predominance over another. And that's simply nonsense. Clearly not all cultures are equal. Clearly some cultures are backward in many respects, barbaric, brutal, and lacking respect for some of the basic concepts of our own culture, such as freedom of speech, religion and association, as well as equality and respect.

In a way it's an odd situation where those who support multiculturalism want us all to respect the cultures of some people who don't respect the basics of our culture - the one they've voluntarily joined. That is to say, we should 'respect' the beliefs of those who don't respect our beliefs, who, in fact, are unalterably opposed to our beliefs, mainly because, to be honest, they're primitive, superstitious savages.

Oh, am I being judgmental again?

Well said. !!

"Its true definition is accepting that other civilized cultures are as equally valid as our own.

The key part of that definition is civilized, some people seem to think that the backwards societies of the world are valid in any way..."

I understand you right wingers have difficulties with basic reading comprehension so I've bolded and underlined the initial text to make it clearer.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Battletoads

[eyeball]

Multiculturalism: What does it really mean?

Hmmm you've got your school of fish, clowder of cats and murder of crows...ah ha I've got it; a slaughter of humans.

[g_bambino]

Here is how Trudeau described it in the House of Commons in 1971...

The man had some rational moments...

[Smallc]

The man had some rational moments...

Ah, he was pretty intelligent...he was just somewhat misguided.

[cybercoma]

When I was in Greece it was funny because some people I had met there said, "We love Canada! We have family there and in Canada you can be Greek and Canadian!" Canadians even, without irony, believed they were both Canadian and British up until maybe the 60s. Multiculturalism in Canada does not contradict what it means to be Canadian and it seems many immigrants believe they can be themselves, still have their own culture, and be Canadian without any sense of irony.

[scribblet]

Multiculturalism: What does it really mean?

Being able to eat shark fin soup ?

[Shwa]

Its true definition is accepting that other civilized cultures are as equally valid as our own.

The key part of that definition is civilized, some people seem to think that the backwards societies of the world are valid in any way...

Which culture gets to define what other cultures are civilized and which ones are not valid?

[WWWTT]

Heres my opinion and beliefs on this subject.

First of all multiculturalism(man thats a hard word to spell) is unique to the so called "new world".

Thanks to the fact that the European(Portuguese,Spanish,French and British) destroyed or tryied to erase the current(at the time) native cultures and replace them with their respective cultures.

In other words to accept multiculturalism is to accept the fact that people of other than a specific culture actualy exist in Canada.

Keep in mind culture is protected in the Charter of rights!

The flip side would be that people that are against multiculturalism are against other cultures right to exist in Canada.

Now I know thats a strong statement!

I believe that the intent of multiculturalism was to take the benifits of all cultures present or focus on the positive contributions,and leave the negative and undesirable attributes behind.

WWWTT

[jacee]

Add to it? More like strip it away. If a nation's culture is increasingly defined as being a great many separate cultures, then what the heck kind of culture is that? It's the erosion of a unique national culture, because publicly favoring any single culture is deemed unacceptable (ie: Christmas, Halloween etc. not allowed in public schools).

How long until Xmas music won't be played in Walmart because people complain? How long until celebrating the end of WWII is a faux pas because it offends Germans/Italians/Japanese? I want to live in Canada, not the UN General Assembly.

Oh dear ... I'm afraid our relationship is really on the rocks now, Moonlight!

You think pagan rituals in schools is the highlight of our Canadian culture?

Fact is, the celebration of solstice and equinox is common to ALL religions, whether it's called Christmas or Diwali. All modern religions are overlaid on pagan celebrations of the earth that sustains human life.

And not being religious myself, despite upbringing, I'm more inclined to honour the earth. Regardless of individual choices, religion does NOT define Canada, where freedom of and from religion is the law, and respect for all is the defining quality, and not imposing/indoctrinating children in one religion to the exclusion of their own. Religion belongs in church communities, not in schools.

Canada is defined by ... ZAMBONI!!

Street hockey, maple syrup, poutine, wilderness, kitchen parties, camping, and the very dry wit that gets us through the winter, the black flies and mosquitoes ...

And BEER of course!

We're known as smart, witty, compassionate, peacekeepers and peacemakers ... and unfortunately too apathetic/trusting of our governments and corporations.

We are certainly not 'defined' by Christian observance in our public schools ... but by our strong, inclusive public schools themselves, and the fact that this discussion is occurring at all.

Edited November 8, 2011 by jacee

[Shwa]

You think pagan rituals in schools is the highlight of our Canadian culture?

[noahbody]

The key part of that definition is civilized, some people seem to think that the backwards societies of the world are valid in any way..."

I don't have a problem with the concept of multiculturalism, but Canada has executed it poorly. "Civilized" is at the core of Canada's identity. We need to refine our immigration/refugee policies and change our laws to protect what we value. There is no way it should take 12 years to deport a known gang member like Jackie Tran, who isn't even a Canadian citizen, or the Khadr family.

[bush_cheney2004]

And not being religious myself, despite upbringing, I'm more inclined to honour the earth. Regardless of individual choices, religion does NOT define Canada, where freedom of and from religion is the law, and respect for all is the defining quality, and not imposing/indoctrinating children in one religion to the exclusion of their own. Religion belongs in church communities, not in schools.

Ummmm...well...not exactly. Better check your Constitution Act(s).

Canada is defined by ... ZAMBONI!!

OK...but ZAMBONI! is American....perhaps you mean ice resurfacers in general.