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Multiculturalism in the Modern World
Before talking
about multiculturalism in the modern world let us give the
definition of the word 'culture'. Longman Dictionary of English
Language and Culture defines culture as 'the customs, beliefs,
art, music, and all other products of human thought made by a
particular group of people at a particular time'. Culture
comprises all activities people practice, what they eat, how
they dress, etc.
The modern world
can be called multicultural due to racial, cultural and ethnic
diversity. Through the process of globalization and immigration
modern society has become a mixture of different nations and
cultures. Cross-cultural contacts have grown significantly
nowadays. Thanks to globalization we can enjoy foreign goods,
food, music, ideas, technologies and practices. Multiculturalism
supports the ideals of a democratic society in which every
person is free and equal in dignity and rights. It leads to
understanding, friendship and respect among racial and ethnic
groups. All people are equal which enables them to participate
fully in the social, cultural, economic and political life
irrespective of their race, religion, colour of skin or origin.
The positive attitude to multiculturalism plays a very important
role in the fight against all forms of extremist action.
Some people have
a negative attitude to multiculturalism as they believe that it
erodes social stability and national cohesion. People's
prejudices and fears may result into ethnocentrism or they may
lead to racial discrimination, social conflicts and violence.
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own race or ethnic group
is more important than others and that its culture is superior
to the culture of other groups. It occurs when one culture or
nation places itself at the top of an imagined hierarchy of
cultures and nations.
The United
Kingdom has one of the highest immigration rates in the EU.
Although white people make up over 90% of the UK population,
there are also many other groups living in Great Britain. The
largest ethnic group is Asian (4% of the population). This group
includes people from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The other
main ethnic groups are Afro-Caribbean, African, Arabic, and
Chinese. In London, almost 30% of the population are Asian and
black. The main reason why London has become a multicultural
city is the long history of immigration to Britain which
increased greatly after World War II. Immigrants were encouraged
to come to Britain as the country needed many workers to rebuild
its economy after the war. Now the children and grandchildren of
the earlier immigrants are full members of British society.
Immigrants come to Great Britain for many reasons: some of them
look for a well-paid job and better life; some seek protection
from poverty, military conflicts or political persecution.
Almost every part of London is populated with a wide mixture of
people from many different countries.
Talking about the
United States we often use the metaphor 'melting pot' to
emphasize that all the immigrant cultures have mixed and
assimilated into American society. White Americans make up the
majority of the US population (about 75%). Blacks or African
Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, American Indians,
Alaska Natives and other races make up 25% of the population.
From 1880 to 1930, there was a huge growth in immigration to the
United States. Today, the largest groups of immigrants come from
Mexico, the Philippines, and other parts of Latin America and
Asia.
Today behind many
social and political conflicts there is a problem of cultural
differences. That's why we need to create a harmonious
integrated society where every member enjoys equal rights.
Multiculturalism helps us build bridges between communities; it
is the pledge of piece, understanding, harmony and wellbeing.
Multiculturalism will help us create a united and tolerant
culturally diverse society. As Bhikhu Parekh, a professor of
political philosophy at the University of Westminster, said,
'Multiculturalism is not about shutting oneself up in a communal
or cultural ghetto and leading a segregated and self-contained
life. Rather it is about opening up oneself to others, learning
from their insights and criticisms, and growing as a result into
a richer and tolerant culture'.
1. Read the following sentences and circle TRUE or FALSE:
1) Through the process of globalization and immigration
modern society has become a mixture of different nations and
cultures. T|F|
2) Cross-cultural contacts have fallen significantly nowadays.
T|F|
3) Everybody has a positive attitude to multiculturalism. T|F|
4) White people make up over 60% of the UK population. T|F|
5) Immigrants were encouraged to come to Britain after World War
II. T|F|
6) The USA does not accept any immigrants nowadays. T|F|
7) Today behind many social and political conflicts there is a
problem of cultural differences. T|F|
2. Complete each sentence (A—H) with one of the endings
(1—8):
A. Culture comprises
B. Thanks to globalization we can enjoy
C. Multiculturalism supports
D. Ethnocentrism occurs when one culture or nation
E. The main reason why London has become a multicultural city is
the long history of immigration to Britain which
F. Blacks or African Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders,
American Indians, Alaska Natives and other races
G. From 1880 to 1930, there was
H. Multiculturalism helps us
1. make up 25% of the population in the USA.
2. build bridges between communities.
3. increased greatly after World War II.
4. foreign goods, food, music, ideas, technologies and
practices.
5. all activities people practice, what they eat, how they
dress, etc.
6. the ideals of a democratic society in which every person is
free and equal in dignity and rights.
7. places itself at the top of an imagined hierarchy of cultures
and nations.
8. a huge growth in immigration to the United States.
3. Give the definitions of the following words
• multiculturalism • ethnocentrism
• culture • racial discrimination
• globalization • persecution
• immigration • assimilation
4. Answer the questions
1) Why can the modern world be called multicultural?
2) Why is the positive attitude to multiculturalism so important
nowadays?
3) Why do some people have a negative attitude to
multiculturalism?
4) What may people's prejudices and fears result into?
5) What can you say about the population of the UK?
6) Why can London be called a multicultural city?
7) Why do immigrants come to Great Britain?
8) What can you say about the population of the USA?
9) Do you agree that multiculturalism is the pledge of the
piece, understanding, harmony and wellbeing of the whole world?
Why?
10) What is your own attitude to multiculturalism?
5. Read and translate the following quotations and comment on
one of them
• 'Our cultural diversity has most certainly shaped our
national character.' (Julie Bishop)
• 'Accordingly, globalization is not only something that will
concern and threaten us in the future, but something that is
taking place in the present and to which we must first open our
eyes.' (Ulrich Beck)
• It has been said that arguing against globalization is like
arguing against the laws of gravity.' (Kofi Annan)
• 'And each of us can practice rights ourselves, treating each
other without discrimination, respecting each other's dignity
and rights.' (Carol Bellamy)
• 'Discrimination is a disease.' (Roger Staubach)
• 'Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies,
society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. ' (Albert Camus)
• 'I plead for conservation of human culture, which is much more
fragile than nature herself. We needn't destroy other cultures
with the force of our own.' (Arthur Erickson)
Read the article below. Explain the meaning of the words in
italics. Summarize the contents of the article. Find more
information about multiculturalism in different countries.
Misunderstanding multiculturalism
... Multiculturalism simply does not mean what most of its
critics think. The original home of multiculturalism is Canada.
Canadian philosophers and policy-makers have done most to define
and elaborate the concept, since Canada is quintessentially an
immigrant society. There, multiculturalism does not mean, and
has never meant, different cultural and ethnic groups being left
alone to get on with whatever activities they choose. It
actually means the opposite. Policy-making in Canada stresses
active dialogue between cultural groups, active attempts at
creating community cohesion, and the acceptance of overarching
Canadian identity. As a leading Canadian writer, Will Kymlicka,
puts it, multiculturalism in Canada 'encourages the members of
different immigrant groups to interact, to share their cultural
heritage, and to participate in common educational, economic,
political and legal institutions'.
Canada adopted its official 'multicultural policy' in 1971. That
policy-orientation has long stressed that language tests,
citizenship ceremonies and oaths are axiomatic for immigrants.
Such demands are wholly uncontroversial, among the host
population as well as migrants: indeed they are widely welcomed
as a sign of mutual commitment. Some Canadian-style policies,
such as citizenship ceremonies, have been introduced with
success in the UK. ...
Anthony Giddens guardian.co.uk, Saturday 14 October 2006
A.
Every culture is unique and has a particular vision of human
life. Do you agree that in a pluralistic society there should be
mutual respect and mutual understanding between different
cultures?
B. Read the text 'Multiculturalism in the Modern World' and be
ready to speak about its leading ideas.
Из учебного пособия
"Открывая
мир с английским языком. Современные темы для обсуждения.
Готовимся к ЕГЭ" Юнёва С.А. 2012г.
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