Multiculturalism, migration, and global diversity challenges

Race and Ethnicity

Multiculturalism

Grade Course

What is multiculturalism?

Multiculturalism is an ideology which is defined in different ways following in the varying paradigms of one's culture and knowledge. However, it is generally explained as a system of beliefs which recognizes and appreciated diversity of groups in a society or in any organization. In t his regard, it also acknowledge these difference particularly the socio-cultural disparity thereby stressing upon its impact in a culture as it empowers the whole society. Multiculturalism is all about recognizing the difference and respecting them. In other words, this points out to the equal treatment of every human being regardless of any distinction based on color, race, religion, gender and culture. It aims at safeguarding and building up the integrity and dignity of these differences so that they are tolerated and celebrated (Rosado C, 1997).

The failure of Multiculturalism

The explicit efforts to integrate or assimilate the differences have not been yet effective and neither is being promoted by several countries. This makes one think whether the ideology of multiculturalism dead and is it that the phenomenon is a failure? In response to this thought, while describing the meaning of the failure or the death of multiculturalism, it is important to understand it in regard to its actual meaning. Multiculturalism is all about accepting diversity. In other words, it means that multicultural societies must provide equal opportunity to every human regardless of his religion, race and gender. Moreover, multicultural societies are classified as those putting in an effort to integrate the immigrants and therefore develop such immigration policies (Padolsky E, 2001). Despite this, it is pretty evident from the case of Italy where at one hand it emphasizes on integration, while on the other its ruler is against such immigration policies. Similarly, the Scandinavian countries are also seen to have failed immigration policies. Despite this, multiculturalism is not about the melting pot theory which supports assimilation; to become similar like the dominant culture. In other words, the ideology of multiculturalism opposes the idea of the dominant white culture as seen in America and therefore stresses upon the cultural pluralism. This theory sees a society with many diverse cultures coexisting and living peacefully side by side (Brooker, 1999)

Although peace, tolerance and accepting the diversity are amongst the major focus of multiculturalism, the ideology is a failure. Regardless of the efforts put in by the steps toward integration by the European Union or as depicted by the immigration policies of countries promoting multiculturalism, the reality is often hidden behind these policies. This is true when one takes in account the aspect of religious diversity which is becoming a key feature to talk about in 21st century especially when discussing the concept of multiculturalism. In addition, along with France and Germany, even Britain has acknowledged multiculturalism to b a failed pheneomenon as agreed by its leader David Cameron. However, this idea is seen to be in a clear religious direction especially pointing out at the Muslims (Deaken Q, 2007). This is because of the fact that multiculturalism and the idea of integration is often mixed with or combined with terrorism and extremism. These countries fear that if Muslims are integrated in their society, their country would suffer. Although multiculturalism is an old phenomenon like in Britain, a series of recent events have undermined it because of which it is failing. These include incidents like the ban of Salman Rushdie's novel; The Satanic Verses, the 9/11 attack and the London Bombings because of which multiculturalism needs to be scrutinized. Mainly because of this reason, in 2011, British PM; David Cameron stated that they have acknowledged culture diversity but have failed to give them an idea about the society to which they belong. He also mentions that Britain has also tolerated the behavior of these communities which was in against the values and principles of their society. However, since these communities are not absorbed and do not follow the human rights ideology of the country, it elucidates multiculturalism to be a failure (Jay G, 2011).

Hence, according to Banting (2006, p. 18), every individual, regardless of his identity, race and religion, has the right of equal and fair treatment. Therefore, mistreating the migrants eventually hinders the development of the world. It is the responsibility of the State to treat these migrants justly safeguarding their rights and considering them equal to the majority of the population. Thus, there is a dire need to integrate the migrants which is a major global challenge. Integration is the process of including the immigrants into the host society; into the relationships and institutions. It has become a problem because of the gap present between the immigration and the integration policies of different countries (Brooker, 1999). In addition, at times the written integration policies are hardly implemented. This is evident through the immigration challenge faced by U.S. And the EU in the 21st century. This is because of the underlying fact that both require labor for their economic prosperity. In addition, United States as well as the European Union is struggling to find a balance between the need of immigrants, the issue of integrating the migrants and also dealing with the problem of illegal migrants. In this regard, immigration is a challenge for EU as it has to align the immigration policies of all its 27 Member States where each of the state possesses their own history and culture. Similarly, United States also faces this trouble because of its resistance to work upon immigration reforms keeping in view its common language and culture (European Union, 2008). For this reason, EU is working upon developing their migration policy keeping in view the measures to promote prosperity, thereby preserving diversity and working for human rights. Despite the claim and efforts of EU to propose the continental policies for immigrants, the right of integrating the immigrants and their residence solely depends on the will of the EU member states. This poses the actual argument that despite the democratic nature of EU, the member states fail to align their policies with those put forward by the European Union merely because of the free hand they are given (European Union, 2008). This is also depicted from the attitude adopted by the PM of Italy; Berlusconi, who is against the policies or the idea of integrating the immigrants. For this reason, immigration continues to remain a challenge for several states and continents including the European Union which has further added the burden of challenges when integrating its own member states come in question. Despite this, EU has developed almost eleven principles called as the Common Basic Principles for integrating the immigrants. These principles are formulated on the basis of the cultural, economic, political and social diversity of its member states.

Conclusion

Thus, the extent to which the ideology of multiculturalism is dying is not only evident from the immigration policies of countries, but also through the efforts they put in to integrate the immigrants. The actual aim of multiculturalism is all about the acceptance and tolerance of diversity where different cultures co-exist living side by side. However, from the moment this concept was measured in terms of religion, the failure of the ideology began. Thus, although difficult, to keep multiculturalism alive, cultures need to integrate the immigrants of other cultures and accept their differences based on race and most importantly religion (Cohen, 2007). This could possibly be done by setting certain universal standards of peace, equality and human rights which are to be followed by every man.