In search of Multiculturalism
What is ‘Multiculturalism’:
the way in which we practise it here in Melbourne? As against the term
‘Cosmopolitan’… meaning that nations allow people to come into their country,
but who can remain on the edge of that society because not a part of the
original inhabitants… snobbery
born out of the right side of the bed, so to speak. In both cases there is a
mix of people who live together, but whose behaviour will calm the waters or
incense them when conflict arises. In peaceful times there is no problem which
model is adopted… tourists come and go in short to medium blocks of time. As
long as they enjoy themselves, the definition of this mix of people is not that
important. However the way in which a particular society approaches its
governance is very important indeed!
Multiculturalism is
not always practised in modern society… where there is non-acceptance,
intolerance, inverse snobbery by groups that want to impose their particular
views at all cost or by rejecting general cultural ideas of inclusion … so I
can wear what I want as long as you don’t think that what I wear is wrong, I
can eat what I want provided that you don’t say that eating particular foods is
wrong, or is eaten at the wrong time! Multiculturalism ought to be part of all
Governments regardless of their particular leaning: it has to be accepted by
Labour, Liberal, Green, Democrat and also by marginal Parties.
Multiculturalism is
when Governments of all persuasions are able to implement policies that allow
all groups to participate in the day-to-day politics of the Municipality, the
State and the Nation. The Multicultural dollar goes a long way when it is spent
in such inclusive policies as the availability of translators and interpreters,
the well stocked libraries with books and materials that inform and enlighten
the individual, the presence of the right carers who understand all
backgrounds. If these carers don’t, they ought to be able to call on the right
professionals who can then administer caring policies for particular
individuals or small groups from the same background i.e. whether it’s food,
faith, language, fashion and cultural make-up.
European societies are
cosmopolitan, they are not multicultural societies… there people are well
defined in their categories for generations… a Turk in Germany remains a Turk,
he cannot and does not become German, an Italian or Pakistani or Indian in
England is still Italian, Pakistani or Indian even after many generations. A
Chinese, Vietnamese, Greek remains identified with that identity over many
generations. Here in Australia as in Europe we are all proud of our family’s
ethnic identity and our backgrounds. So when does a Nation become
multicultural? A nation becomes multicultural when all its governments and
institutions make real provision to include everyone in its policies and laws…
within the national geographic boundaries, in the wider community, in schools,
churches, hospitals and everywhere else, even prisons.
The main aim of
multiculturalism is the ability of people of different cultural and linguistic
backgrounds, different faiths, mode of processing life, respect for equality of
both sexes coming together and accepting their differences, to then work with
each other to make their community or society work in harmony by remaining
‘open’ and welcoming to others within their own communities… ie there cannot be
a suburb or special place where people are excluded because they are different
…
The test of a
multicultural nation is when members of each group with different or very different
cultural practices protect others and themselves by denouncing ‘extreme
behaviour’ within their own group. In such cases members of this particular
group want to exclude or endanger others because they think of them as
inferior. These people can
sometimes be treated as lesser beings because they are different. Preachers,
teachers, politicians, and whoever is involved in the projection of ideas, like
poets, songwriters, writers, journalists have a responsibility to develop as
mediums of peace, harmony and tolerance, with touches of healthy philosophies
and appreciation of diversities. Members of faiths that preach exclusion or
have special laws by which they would rather be judged have real problems… they
need to tone down their own belief systems to embrace a more open and democratic
system in which the ideals of egalite’, liberte’, fraternite’ are embraced and
practised.
Therefore if you feel
special and believe that you are better than others, if you want to be treated
better than your neighbour, if you have innate arrogance, or are on the right
of might, if you believe that you deserve special advantages and privileges, if
you want to deal only with your own kind, then multiculturalism for you is only
an ideal that yet remains to be embraced or from which you want to be excluded.
On the other hand, if you happen to live, work, entertain yourself and
socialize with all types in peace and harmony, then you have embraced
multiculturalism and all that it offers… you can still remain a part of your
group of friends of the same culture, language and identity… but you must also
defend your right to feel equal, free and fraternal towards all others who
belong to different groups or ethnic background in your wider community or
society! Let’s have a Multicultural Day of National Celebration, maybe
combining it with the Australia Day Celebration Week, each year!
Tom Padula - 1st September 2011
