AnastasijaP Polycentric multiculturalism
Koper, January 2014
Introduction
The book “Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the media” is a critique of the Eurocentrism which is present in representing other cultures. The book focuses on contemporary media and is actually criticizing the subjectivity that the media presents. The authors are discussing the concept of multiculturalism in variety of contexts and are giving examples of how manipulated the term multiculturalism is in the media, politics and science.
In this paper we’ll be focusing on the Polycentric Multiculturalism which is the last part of the first chapter “From Eurocentrism to Pollycentrism” (Shostat & Stam1994: 46 - 49). The first chapter gives a summary of the crucial debates concerning Eurocentrism, racism, multiculturalism, postcolonial theories, Third World Countries, East/West, in order to illustrate the manipulative aspirations of the “developed countries” and the eurocentric media practices.
Discussion
Ella Shohat and Robert Stam are suggesting that “The concept of “multiculturalism” is polysemically open to various interpretations and subject to diverse political force fields; it has become an empty signifier on to which diverse groups project their hopes and fears” (Shostat & Stam 1994: 47) This conclusion comes from previously given examples of how multiculturalism is used for political purposes in a manipulative ways from neo-conservatives and militant nationalists to liberals. The empty use of the word multiculturalism and the still present eurocentricity in media, politics, science and real life as well is illustrated in institutional terms in the models of multiculturalism varying in their degree of participation by POC (People of Color) by Ada Gay Griffin. There are 6 models, the” IBM model (white executive staff plus a few token blacks), the SPOOK model (a POC plots to empower other POCs), the BENETTON model (POCs are visually conspicuous, but decision makers are White), the
Introduction
The book “Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the media” is a critique of the Eurocentrism which is present in representing other cultures. The book focuses on contemporary media and is actually criticizing the subjectivity that the media presents. The authors are discussing the concept of multiculturalism in variety of contexts and are giving examples of how manipulated the term multiculturalism is in the media, politics and science.
In this paper we’ll be focusing on the Polycentric Multiculturalism which is the last part of the first chapter “From Eurocentrism to Pollycentrism” (Shostat & Stam1994: 46 - 49). The first chapter gives a summary of the crucial debates concerning Eurocentrism, racism, multiculturalism, postcolonial theories, Third World Countries, East/West, in order to illustrate the manipulative aspirations of the “developed countries” and the eurocentric media practices.
Discussion
Ella Shohat and Robert Stam are suggesting that “The concept of “multiculturalism” is polysemically open to various interpretations and subject to diverse political force fields; it has become an empty signifier on to which diverse groups project their hopes and fears” (Shostat & Stam 1994: 47) This conclusion comes from previously given examples of how multiculturalism is used for political purposes in a manipulative ways from neo-conservatives and militant nationalists to liberals. The empty use of the word multiculturalism and the still present eurocentricity in media, politics, science and real life as well is illustrated in institutional terms in the models of multiculturalism varying in their degree of participation by POC (People of Color) by Ada Gay Griffin. There are 6 models, the” IBM model (white executive staff plus a few token blacks), the SPOOK model (a POC plots to empower other POCs), the BENETTON model (POCs are visually conspicuous, but decision makers are White), the