Multiculturalism vs. Integration

[Ryuzaki]

One of the biggest questions facing societies today is how to deal with a culturally diverse citizenry. Many different religions and traditions from many different countries are now seen side by side in many cities. A debate current in the UK, and elsewhere, is whether to enforce a certain degree of “integration.” This term is nebulous – it might mean some basic knowledge of the national language, or the national history, or might even require an oath of allegiance. The opposite school of thought is multiculturalism – roughly the idea that society is strong enough to accommodate numerous cultures within it, and might even gain from the diversity this entails. Which approach is better and why?

[boogieknight]

Multiculturalism is just a new form of tribalism and barbarism. It artificially groups people based on physiological makeup and arrogantly pushes aside all individual hopes and dreams for some half-assed notion of a "racial destiny." Multiculturalism does not free anyone up, it binds and gags them to behaviors and mentalities that are "authentic" to the tribe. Multiculturalism does not create unity, it only creates more animosity. It turns the issue from "you and me" to "us and them," xenophobia and hostility to others is implicit. Further, the race pimps who proclaim to act on behalf of everyone who's somewhat physically similar is not only frauds, but they are unelected frauds. There is no process for these "leaders," it's a matter of rabble rousers who usurp power of attorney for a number of people.

I can understand the integration arguement, but the problem is that some proponents don't really understand or fail to communicate the fundamentals. A common language is important for a nation to function. All bilingual countries have problems because they are inherently compromised once they surrender the strength of a national language (but that is not putting down the value of freely learning multiple languages). Frankly, knowledge about a nation's past and the proper context should be mandatory for everyone who lives in that country, native and immigrant alike. The real embarassment is that those who legally immigrate often understand the country better than the natives.

The only real solution is to emphasize individualism, to recognize that every human being is a free agent. Clustering people into groups only stifles them, and is an insult to human dignity.

[thetragicprince]

Feb 15, 2009 14:17:08 GMT -5 boogieknight said:

Multiculturalism is just a new form of tribalism and barbarism. It artificially groups people based on physiological makeup and arrogantly pushes aside all individual hopes and dreams for some half-assed notion of a "racial destiny." Multiculturalism does not free anyone up, it binds and gags them to behaviors and mentalities that are "authentic" to the tribe. Multiculturalism does not create unity, it only creates more animosity. It turns the issue from "you and me" to "us and them," xenophobia and hostility to others is implicit. Further, the race pimps who proclaim to act on behalf of everyone who's somewhat physically similar is not only frauds, but they are unelected frauds. There is no process for these "leaders," it's a matter of rabble rousers who usurp power of attorney for a number of people.

I can understand the integration arguement, but the problem is that some proponents don't really understand or fail to communicate the fundamentals. A common language is important for a nation to function. All bilingual countries have problems because they are inherently compromised once they surrender the strength of a national language (but that is not putting down the value of freely learning multiple languages). Frankly, knowledge about a nation's past and the proper context should be mandatory for everyone who lives in that country, native and immigrant alike. The real embarassment is that those who legally immigrate often understand the country better than the natives.

The only real solution is to emphasize individualism, to recognize that every human being is a free agent. Clustering people into groups only stifles them, and is an insult to human dignity.

while I do not disagree with what you said can we really say if people were left to their own wits things would be any different? would people have more respect for one another in such situations?

By grouping people together it is the easiest way to control hoards but that is also the main reason with chaos exists within this world because people refuse to change in a manner that would benefit society. As they have been raised to think in certain ways since childhood no matter what course is taken there will always be one to think his way of being is superior to another and such etc.

There is no real solution to these problems, we can only hope to minimize the problems that are brought forth