“Speak English, Kiss French, Drive German, Dress Italian, Spend Arab, Party Caribbean ” (Online quote on Multiculturalism). The idea of multiculturalism is the search for uniqueness and celebration of differences in a way that problematize the very structures and ethos of monologic unilinear discourses. In the West countries like Canada and USA have been examples of the simultaneous co-existence of multicultural ethnicities in which culture is associated with a particular ethnic community. USA has been boasting of its melting pot culture where all contradictions get fused and the differences get dimmed with the current of progress and the flux of time. It apprehends a curious mixture in which the cultural uniqueness of each segment is lost …show more content…
The national anthem and the pledge are examples of this reality where India or Bharat is celebrated and its diversity carefully and skillfully negotiated. The very danger that India’s neighbouring countries supposedly pose for this nation is also a dynamic move towards negotiating its pluralistic unity. “Mile sur mera Tumhara, to sur bane hamara” (Pandey) is a song of national integration developed in 1988 by Lok Seva Sanchar Parishad , written by Piyush Pandey, its music composed by Ashok Patki,and arranged by Louis Banks which is directed towards the idea of unity in diversity. In the site of that song national unity is equated with the mighty ocean which internalizes and fuses the various rivers of cultures. Strangely the metaphor of the sea negates the identity and individuality with regard to each “sur” signifying every distinct culture. It is here that the ideology of nationalism and those of multiculturalism are ambivalently …show more content…
Primarily negotiating the differences in a value neutral perspective where each person / group can maintain his /its integrity with dignity while retaining its uniqueness is what constitutes the essence of multiculturalism. Every story in Breast Stories is a discourse on the binaries of domination/ subordination interrogating locations of power or/and the lack of it. In “Breast Giver”, Jashoda is the protagonist whose economic subalternity is potently pitched against the independence and exposure of Haldar women as they signify the ethos of liberal feminism and the liberating potency of the movement of nationalism. Jashoda, the Brahmin whose very caste symbolizes a multicultural ancestry is subjected to exploitation in a modern/ democratic set up. The pungent irony and sarcasm with which Mahasweta attacks the apparent celebration of pluralism and the significant reason for the absence of it in reality is communicated thus: “He lives in independent India, the India that makes no distinction among people, kingdoms, languages, varieties of Brahmins, varieties of Kayasthas and so on. But he made his cash in the British era, when divide and rule was the policy.”(Devi 44). As we enter this unequal universe where money and power manipulate destinies, the entire notions of multicultural celebration of ethnicities are invalidated. The notion
Unlike Marx who views Multiculturalism from the theory heading downwards Dalrymple views multiculturalism from the ground going up. His day to day experiences prove that "not all cultural values are compatible or can be reconciled by the enunciation of platitudes. " This means that although multiculturalists support the idea that people should embrace different cultures, there are many challenges that make implementation difficult. Dalrymple argues that the idea that we can co-exist in a society whereby the law doesn't favor one culture at the expense of another one is a lie. In short, the author's main argument is that some cultural values will always be superior to others in every society and the idea that all cultural values can be compatible with every ethnic group makes no
Ronald Takaki a renowned pioneer in the field of ethnic studies has over the years authored numerous books on diversity in American society. As a grandson of Japanese immigrants who became the first black studies professor at UCLA, Takaki for many years has continually tried to bridge cultures and ethnic groups in the United States. In his book “A different mirror: A history of multicultural America”, Takaki addresses the idea of multiculturalism in our society, and also talks about how for many years we have been told to acknowledge the notions that the core principles of our nation uprooted only from one group rather than a contribution from other various cultures as well. The ‘master narrative’ posed by Takaki describes the growing
The Marāthās, in particular, became so enraged that they eventually gained their independence from the Mughals and established their own empire,” (Gale). The departure of the Marāthās proves the lack of religious tolerance the Mughals had at times. The Marāthās were so enraged at the lack of acceptance that they left the empire rendering it smaller and weaker. This is just one example of the Mughals not only only neglecting to practice religious tolerance, but how refusing to accept all people for their beliefs backfired in the empire’s overall growth and unity.
CANADIAN IDENTITY By Rebecca Grimwood Does Canada have a secure identity, or have we become an American wannabe? The two countries share the longest border in the world, and have a similar amount of land mass. Many wonder if Canada is simply a smaller version of America. Although Canada is aware of America’s entertainment industry, concept of multiculturalism, and history, there are fundamental differences that make Canada’s identity unique and secure.
The key objectives of the multiculturalism
Furthermore, the author uses elaborate details in this short story to make the segments about tradition more descriptive. According to Pfeiffer, “the author infuses her works with vivid and distinctive features of Indian culture . . . .” An example of the culture is when Lilia’s mother brought out a plate of “. . . mincemeat kebabs with coriander chutney” (Lahiri 458). Jhumpa Lahiri’s “Indian identity is certainly not marginal in her work . . .”
A national policy of multiculturalism since the 70’s has resulted in obvious diversity,
At the same time, this book joins others in the rejection of a cosmopolitan interpretation of national identity and nationalism. Miller bases his rejection on the grounds that cosmopolitanism is self-defeating and requires equal access to cultural opportunities,
Government Arts College for Women, Thanjavur. Abstract: Identity crisis or search of identity has received an impetus in the Post-Colonial literature. Man is known as a social animal which needs some home, love of parents and friends and relatives. But when he is unhoused, he loses the sense of belongingness and thus suffers from a sense of insecurity or identity crisis. In the field of Indian English Literature, feminist or woman centered approach is the major development that deals with the experience and situation of women from the feminist consciousness.
The Warwick debate provides approaches to the study of nationalism. It laid the foundation for the development of two approaches to the study of nationalism. The first approach is Smith’s primordial approach and the other is Gillnets modernist approach. Smith’s argument begins with the definition of nationalism and the difference between a state and a nation.
Sudipta Kaviraj can be discussed while we try to contextualise the concept of nation with respect to India. He says that a distinction can be made
A challenge like no Other! A handshake, a tight hug, a gesture like bowing down, a kiss on the cheek, or something quite unique like sticking one’s tongue out at someone are all results of multicultural cities. According to Hutchison (2017), at the beginning of the third millennium, more than half of the global population lives in cities and economic integration as well as globalization fueled what is called cultural diversity and originated what is known now as multicultural cities. Sociology dictionary describes the multi-cultural society/city as “a society characterized by cultural pluralism”; one society rejoices cultural mixtures such as linguistic, religious, ethnical diversities (Encyclopedia.com, 2017). The wealth of multicultural cities poses challenges to the multicultural cities and their citizens.
The definition of multiculturalism is when you have cultural diversity within a society. Many people assume that having a multicultural society is a great thing, and in most ways it is. However, with a multicultural society, some problems will occur. In this essay I will debate whether or not a multicultural society is a good thing, and will be pointing out advantages and disadvantages.
This thesis consists of Hanif’s portrait of women and their marginalized positions in the society and economic, social and religious pride and prejudices towards women in Pakistani society which is an important theme of his novels. He belongs to those who are proof of that some people can tell the truth more comprehensively and authentically with fiction than facts. In his second novel Our Lady of Alice Bhatti (2012), he discusses the battle and determination of a woman fitting in with minority goes out in a patriarchal society and endures accordingly. In a male dominated society women in Pakistan are in lower position than men , they are always on the periphery, and are subordinated to men and are in debased positions both within the house and outside the house. Alam (2011) shows by her study that women’s unequal positions contrasted with men make them weaker both out in the open and private circles.