Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

[elNastioBananaHando]

When I was reading on him I found a sentence that said he was "critic of multiculturalism since the 1990's". Is this possible that all of a sudden you become opposed to in idea such as multiculturalism?

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Hand Banana

When I was reading on him I found a sentence that said he was "critic of multiculturalism since the 1990's". Is this possible that all of a sudden you become opposed to in idea such as multiculturalism?

yes

[elNastioBananaHando]

Originally Posted by xian

yes

Wouldn't being a critic of multiculturalism be along the same lines as being a racist? I'm not trying to be alvin here. Just wondering.

[Funkenstein]

Originally Posted by xian

yes

Shortest Xian answer ever.

Screen shot this moment in time, folks.



P.S. Andy look up a little known guy by the name of Strom Thurmond.

Double

[Hey Bubu]

[elNastioBananaHando]

Originally Posted by Rufus P. Funk

P.S. Andy look up a little known guy by the name of Strom Thurmond.

Double

I know about that guy. LOL! Didn't he father a daughter with the black family next door?

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Hand Banana

Wouldn't being a critic of multiculturalism be along the same lines as being a racist?

No. A culture is not a race.


Let me ask you....


1) Describe the benefit of "mulitculturalism" in qualitiative terms... why is it a good thing?

2) Describe the benefit in quantitative terms...


I regard it as a poor way to have an intigrated society. The promotion of distinct cultural groups divides society. The further step of selecting people for things such as admission to schools based on this policy is a method of promoting one cultural group at the expense of the others. Diversity for the sake of diversity is not something that I believe has any benefit and promotes disharmony as I noted. (If you disagree I'd invite you to describe the benefit of diversity and quantify that to make your case.)

Multiculturalism (like cultural relativism) woud require me to believe all cultures are equally valuable - I don't believe that for a moment and the existence of cultures that promote and glorify strapping bombs to children and blowing them up in grocery stores helps make my point. Now, I'm entirely "ethnocentric" in so far as I believe we (the West in general but the US in specific) have it right (no, we are not perfect - just less flawed) and others not as much.

[elNastioBananaHando]

Thanks Xian. I totally understand. I was trying to explain this to a friend of mine who was seeing that way. I couldn't come up with a good quick answer. I knew you wouldn't let me down buddy.

[Ash]

You could argue both sides as far as it's concerned in America.

Some would argue that multiculturism has a lot to do with what's wrong with America in that it has dilluded the uniquely American identity we once had in the late 40's and 50's and has contributed to wussification and exxagerated political correctness. It could also lead to multicultural isolation where the same groups of cultures don't intermingle with groups of other cultures.

At the same time you can say it's exactly what makes the United States so unique from anywhere else. The fact that we are such a progressive society, that we can welcome any and all cultures and assimilate them into our own.

As I get older I'm beginning to lean towards this not being a good thing. I definitely think you can waiver between the two over the course of your life depending on your experiences.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Ash

At the same time you can say it's exactly what makes the United States so unique from anywhere else. The fact that we are such a progressive society, that we can welcome any and all cultures and assimilate them into our own.

But that ^ is an argument for monoculturalism and against multiculturalism... we welcome all and invite them to intigrate with our culture. Yes, they'll have influence and our culture evolves. But, that is specifically in contrast to the notion of holding each culture as distinct and discouraging assimilation.

[Funkenstein]

Originally Posted by Hand Banana

I know about that guy. LOL! Didn't he father a daughter with the black family next door?

And Charlie still won't talk, that son of a . . .

Originally Posted by xian

No. A culture is not a race.

1) Describe the benefit of "mulitculturalism" in qualitiative terms... why is it a good thing?

The exploration of one's past as a method of lighting the way to the future.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/multiculturalism

Originally Posted by xian

Now, I'm entirely "ethnocentric" in so far as I believe we (the West in general but the US in specific) have it right (no, we are not perfect - just less flawed) and others not as much.

Ok, as long as you got that part right, we're cool.

[Ash]

yep, in a way our acceptance of other cultures dilludes our own and we may not see it but I'm sure it has an equal amount of impact upon theirs as well.

[elNastioBananaHando]

Originally Posted by Ash

As I get older I'm beginning to lean towards this not being a good thing. I definitely think you can waiver between the two over the course of your life depending on your experiences.

As I see it right now, I'm leaning more towards being against it. I currently work at a company that promotes diversity. At first I thought it was a good thing but one thing I noticed is that within my dept all the directors and higher ups are Indians from India. At first I thought nothing of it but then I was noticed how the director only invites Indians to his meetings. We even have some Indian employees that work in certain groups but don't report to the same managers others do but only to him.

Its a joke around my friends here at the office that I better learn to speak their language since I kind of already look like them. LOL! Its the only way I might get a big promotion.

[Ash]

I love hispanic women and black women. Does that make me a tolerant multicultural advocate?

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Rufus P. Funk

The exploration of one's past as a method of lighting the way to the future.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/multiculturalism

Understanding one's history and promoting societal divisions based on culture are quite distinct. I'm all about friggin Oktoberfest and lefse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefse) but preserving 'cultural heritage' specifically recognizes that it is something left behind and brought out of the closet, dusted off and celebrated on occassion rather than the current state of affairs.

Originally Posted by Rufus P. Funk

Ok, as long as you got that part right, we're cool.

hmmm... whachu talkin' 'bout Willis?