Culture is a complex concept, and a lot relies on how the nations build and support their policies and how cultured are the citizens in their behavior and understand other cultures. Multiculturalism society is made up of different cultures while mono-cultural tend to focus on a single culture. The debatable issue is if Mono-cultural societies are more peaceful than multicultural societies. The essay discusses the conflicting issue from various perspectives to show that how Multiculturalism society is indeed far better for nations and its communities and societies.
One can imagine being part of a mono-cultural society, mixing with people who look similar and follow the same religious practices and social customs. They would have a common heritage, speak the same language and carry a single identity. In other words, life seems a lot simpler and easier within a mono-cultural society that indeed seems a lot more secure, safer and carries favorable conditions. When living in a multicultural society, they live in a diverse environment made of many different people from different ethnicities. They look different, speak different languages and practice different social customs and religion. It looks indeed challenging to live in a multicultural society with people from so many different cultures when compared to mono-cultural societies. One can face discrimination and racial disadvantages. Thus, on the face of it, living in mono-cultural societies indeed seems more peaceful than multicultural societies. However, there is another side to the whole picture. A mono-cultural society tends to make one narrow-minded and less tolerant towards other cultures. Multiculturalism means more differences and lesser growth
While on the face of it, it might look more comfortable to live within a Mono-cultural society, but such societies are not good for the progress of a human being or the nation. Cultural diversity within the society is the route to progression and better understanding. The celebration of difference and the belief in pluralism and the multicultural society Many country leaders like in Canada encourage their countrymen to celebrate multiculturalism and be proud of their tradition of inclusion and diversity (Fisher, 2017). Canada is a country that has become only stronger despite its cultures differences. No matter what the religion or the nationality, people feel free to express their identities and take pride in their individual identities. Multiculturalism is the strength of the country made of many cultures and heritages. Thus, Multiculturalism can stimulate personal and individual growth.
Multiculturalism could encourage anger and discomfort
Following 9/11, contemporary research on race shows that people tend to make quick judgments towards migrants, refugees, and Muslims. There is a need for social initiatives and policy agendas that address the resentment towards strangers through anti-racist practices and living with differences (Lobo, 2014). When different ethnic groups are forced to retreat into ‘comfort zones’ made of people like themselves, they only tend to develop mistrust and fear about the others. Such a monoculture society can only promote negativity and notoriety. (Zriba, 2014). Thus, it is the monocultural society that can create higher discomfort for others. Multiculturalism gives one the chance to overcome that fear and discomfort for others.
Multiculturalism means making more effort and adjustments
On the face of it, it may seem that living in a mono-cultural society would be a lot easier and comfortable while living in a multi-cultural society means making more efforts to live with others. However, voluntary self-segregation can only reinforce an ignorance of the others and lead to disturbances based on cultural and religious lines. Limited dialogue and contact can be dangerous for the society and encourage social divides (Zriba, 2014). A case study of the ethnically diverse Ethiopia shows neglect of the multicultural environment in their respective campuses. Higher Learning Institutions in Ethiopia, which is a country of diverse nationalities need to address the problems of university environment (Melesse & Enyew, 2018). Research shows a lack of infusion of multicultural attributes into the Universities environments. There was an absence of a friendly environment for the physically disabled and others. The stakeholders should improve the universities’ environment to make it more diversity-friendly. A useful aspect of multiculturalism is that living an ethnically, culturally mixed society allows one to be aware of the religions, custom, and language of others naturally and with lesser efforts. There is a lesser need to make extraordinary efforts to understand the heterogeneous society as one is living in one.
There have been concerns regarding Muslim communities, inter-community relations, and Islamophobia over the past several years. Radicalization, terrorism and security-related issues are finding a more considerable space in the growing body of literature (Rane, Amath, Faris, 2015). Multiculturalism’ can be perceived as different by different people. One can blame it for society’s economic and social problems like terrorism and unemployment. Some can look at the term that evokes equal respect for different cultures in society and gives them the space to develop and express (Ghosh, 2018). Different countries deal with diversity with individual policies. For example, Canada and Australia refer to those policies as Multiculturalism while in India it is Reservations (Ghosh, 2018). The policies are meant to enable integration and develop a stronger identity among ethnic minorities. There is evidence that multicultural policies have been able to address cultural and linguistic diversity issues and helped to create equitable public institutions. One cannot blame the whole issue of terrorism and unemployment on the multicultural society.
Multiculturalism means distrust and fear
Islam–West relations in an international context often garner much talks and concerns. Little has been written about political Islam in Western countries. The Muslim population in Australia has increased 10-fold in the recent decades (Rane, Amath, Faris, 2015). A study of Muslim immigration and integration within communities in Australia would enhance the understanding of the stability of a multicultural society. According to Ghosh (2018), the multicultural society exhibits a variety of differences that can develop as inequalities because of discrimination. Cass, gender, language, and religion can add differences and variations to a multicultural society as well as lead to discrimination and disadvantage. Multiculturalism must incorporate super-diversity and hybrid identities as it becomes more complex in order to provide a peaceful and hospitable environment for all as stated by Ghosh, (2018). Multiculturalism ensures a more tolerant society, and thus there should be less cause of fear and distrust of others. The society gets the chance to get rid of any are deep-seated conflicts between cultures. Those fears and mistrust of each other’ will only grow if one lives in mono-cultural societies.
The world should take advantage of multiculturalism which has opened new possibilities for democratization. Societies need to acknowledge the presence of the “others” and improve the attitudes towards diversity (Cabunilas, & School of Philosophy, 2017). Multiculturalism in a democratic society recognizes diversity, fosters integration, and produces equality. It allows democracy to develop and progress further (Cabunilas, & School of Philosophy, 2017). A democratic government that can respond to multiculturalism adequately would indeed set an example for the world to follow. However, these lofty democratic ideals can be achieved only through a suitable policy-making. Mobilizing the democratization of society would help improve collective political action, prevent ineffective systems and allow avenues for broader political participation, thus increasing the confidence of the people from different ethnicities. A democratized society can work towards the higher goals of responding to current concerns like environmental pollution and climate change as well as create long-term development goals (Cabunilas, & School of Philosophy, 2017).
Multiculturalism might make it look more challenging for social cohesion. However, many countries are already dealing with the unique challenges of religious diversity, and Australia Is one of them. Interfaith engagement on human behavior can help face the challenges for social cohesion and strengthen democratic societies (Fleming, & Lovat, 2014). Some projects focusing on the issues of cultural and religious differences have helped to lower the threat and fears of another group or ethnicity. It is essential to provide a safe and secure environment to promote active interfaith engagement.
Multiculturalism means a curriculum transformation
Many oppose, the multicultural curriculum transformation as they advocate that the essential knowledge be already in the mono-cultural curriculum. Changing the mono-cultural curriculum would be a disadvantage to the less proficient students to be academically successful as asserted by Melesse & Enyew (2018). Multicultural curriculum transformation is often the center of discussion on university campuses. A transformed curriculum would indeed support both the minority and majority group students, as both can benefit from understanding each other (Melesse & Enyew, 2018). Multicultural education from very early on and within the classrooms gives the young students a better understanding of different cultures. They are better prepared for living in a multicultural society and more tolerant towards different cultures.
Multiculturalism can disturb development and slow the progress of certain ethnic groups. However, a study on Muslims who have migrated and settled in Australia gives a different picture. Large-scale migration of Muslims has allowed the development of essential infrastructures, such as halal food businesses, Islamic schools, and mosques (Rane, Amath, Faris, 2015). That has helped the community to develop the confidence to affirm an Islamic identity. It is difficult to say who feels more Australian, the older Muslim Australians or, the younger generation. Australians are now far more aware of Muslims and Islam. When one lives in a mono-cultural society, they not only fail to understand the ‘others’ or get to know them, they become more fearful and less tolerant. Even small conflicts can turn into significant issues for the whole country. Thus, it is more dangerous for the world to live in a mono-cultural society.
The world and its countries, now in the 21st century are turning multicultural because of emigrations, immigration, and other global forces. Human progress and development rely on the ability to adapt and change. Progress will become slower if the human conditions keep holding on to the outdated and narrow beliefs about themselves and the others. It is essential to embrace change and welcome change and development by welcoming others in our societies and develop more tolerance amongst cultures.
Conclusion
Mixing with different cultures increases the understanding of different religions and customs and thus makes one more accepting and open-minded and avoid being judgmental of a race. Multicultural society promotes the development of global citizen in real sense and strengthens the belief that all human beings are the same. A person who lives in a mono-cultural society can never get the exposure to different communities and can never be a global citizen. Thus, the only hope for a better society and a progressive world lies with the Multicultural societies. When people of diverse cultures come together, they bring together different nationalities and languages and allows people to experience a unique and different way of life. While there are challenges of living in a Multicultural society like cultural differences and discrimination, biter education, awareness, and policies can help overcome those negative sides. There would always be some groups who feel marginalized in a multi-ethnic society. However, the mono-cultural society is even more dangerous as it would only create social islands where people feel disconnected from each other completely.
References
Cabunilas, S. A., & School of Philosophy, San Pablo Seminary, Baguio City, Philippines. (2017). On democratization: Identity and solidarity in multicultural societies. Kritike: An Online Journal of Philosophy, 11(2),
Fleming, D., & Lovat, T. (2014). When encounters between religious worldviews are a threat: Applying Triune Ethics Theory in a religiously diverse landscape. Journal of Moral Education, 43(3), 377–393
Fisher, I. (2017). Multicultural Societies Teach Us The ‘Global Citizen’ Mindset, huffingtonpost Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/iris-fisher/multicultural-societies-t_b_10742852.html
Ghosh, R. (2018). Multiculturalism in a comparative perspective: Australia, Canada and India. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 50(1), 15-36.
Kopsidou, I. (2016). Approaching Multilingual and Multicultural Settings: A Research Instrument Used in a Multicultural Classroom. Journal of Linguistic Intercultural Education, 9(3), 71–86.
Lobo, M. (2014). Everyday multiculturalism: catching the bus in Darwin, Australia. Social & Cultural Geography, 15(7).
Long, J. (2015). Investigating multiculturalism and mono-culturalism through the infrastructure of integration in rotterdam, the netherlands. Journal of Social Science Education, 14(3), 43-53.
Melesse, S., & Enyew, C. (2018). The integration of multiculturalism into the ethiopian universities’ environment. Research in Pedagogy, 8(1), 52-62.
Rane, H., Amath, N., & Faris, N. (2015). Multiculturalism and the Integration of Multigenerational Muslim Communities in Queensland, Australia. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 35(4), 503–519.
Zriba, H. (2014). Managing race relations’ te nsions in multicultural societies: a case study of Bradford in Britain. Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciencesl, 17(2), 1–24.
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