The Impact of Multiculturalism on Western Societies Since the 19th Century

The Impact of Multiculturalism on Western Societies Since the 19th Century
Since the beginning of the 19th century the topic of multiculturalism has raised many issues in our society. Migration tendencies, the growing number of minorities, support groups for refugees and immigrants, and an increase in knowledge of human rights, have split our governments and our nations. Media outlets are constantly turning out stories on boat people, multiculturalism, cultural pluralism, Islam, terrorists attacks etc, which can make anyone’s head hurt trying to understand it all and what it means to us. In this essay I will go back to where multiculturalism was first accepted as a government policy and how it has affected western society to the present day.
“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams” (Jimmy Carter, 1924).
Multiculturalism once known as the ‘melting pot’ or ‘mosaic’ is a term that covers three areas: it can refer to a society that is described by ethnic or cultural heterogeneity; it can refer to a principle of mutual respect and equality; and to government policy promoting and protecting diversity (Driedger and Burnet, 2011, n.p).
Government multicultural policies can include: dual citizenship; government support for newspapers, television and radio in minority languages; support for minority festivals, holidays and celebrations; acceptance of traditional and religious dress in schools, the military, and society in general; support for the arts from different cultures around the world; and programs to encourage minority representations in politics, education and the workforce (Harrison, 2011, n.p).
The Second World War was seen to be ‘the beginning of the end’ of racial discrimination. The 1960s brought about change across the world with racist theories being discredited, the dismantlement of the Neo-Imperial Empires in Africa and Asia, civil rights and black power. Ethnic resurgence gained strength throughout America and minorities demanded social equality (Padolsky, 2002, p.139).
Up until the 1970s many western societies had immigration legislation that was racially based and is now considered illegal. The multicultural policy was first embraced by Canada in 1971. All citizens were to be treated equally, keep their identities, have self-respect of their ancestries, and have a feeling of belonging. (www.cic.gc.ca) The Canadian multicultural policy was created to ‘encourage racial and ethnic harmony’, establish the rights of the aboriginal people and confirmed the two official languages of their country. (www.cic.gc.ca)
In 1973 Australia followed suite with a similar multicultural polciy. Since the beginning of federation in 1901 Australia’s immigration policies were racially motivated, hence the introduction of ‘The White Australia Policy’. This piece of legislation imposed a dictation test written only in European languages in which most Asians failed. Any non-whites who remained in Australia were restricted of most of their rights and freedoms, this included Aboriginals. Social attitudes towards racial discrimination and the collapse of the European colonialisation saw the white Australia policy slowly disintegrate and finally being abolished in 1973. The Whitlam Government introduced the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975, which made it illegal for immigration to be racially based. (www.abc.net.au)
It wasn’t long after Canada and Australia that many of the Western Nations within the European Union assumed similar multicultural policies (Singham, 2006, p. 37).
Assimilation
Assimilation a concept first adopted by the French in the 1800’s became an Australian Policy in 1961. All Australia Governments agreed that:
“All Aboriginals and part-aboriginals are expected to eventually attain the same manner of living as other Australians and to live as members of a single Australian community enjoying the same rights and privileges, accepting the same responsibilities, observing the same customs and influenced by the same beliefs, hopes and loyalty as other Australians…” (Commonwealth & State Ministers, 1961, p.4)
Assimilation is said to have been replaced with what we now call ‘multiculturalism (Alba, 1995, p.3). However the two terms have contrasting ideas: Assimilation an extreme measure in that anyone with a cultural difference should give up their customs and heritage and assume the host societies way of living. At the other end of the spectrum, multiculturalism refers to a belief that the cultural heritage should be upheld and maintained and be tolerated by the host society (Reynolds, 1991, p.7).
Assimilation was thought to have been a issue of the past, though recent riots in the UK, France and Australia has seen Governments turning to their cultural roots, promoting nationalism, patriotism or national identity as a coercive force to unite their citizens (Das, 2006, n.p).
Former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard told migrants in his Australia Day speech to enrich the Australian way of living with their ‘loyalty and patriotism”. He then followed on saying that the Howard Government has successfully removed what he thought was the excess of multiculturalism and has rebalanced Australia’s identity and “ethnic diversity” (Gratton, 2006, n.p).
David Cameron the Prime Minster of Britain has recently stated at a conference in Munich that multiculturalism does not define who Britain is. He then argued, “the UK needed a stronger national identity to prevent people turning to all kinds of extremism” (BBC, 2011, n.p).
There have been some considerable questions raised on multiculturalism and ethnic diversity, and whether it is still relevant and today’s society? A number of events around the world including the Paris and London Riots, where second and third generation youths, frustrated with being alienated and discriminated against took the streets in a furied rampage. The unrest spread rapidly as the youths embrace the social message of equal rights for all (Crumley, 2011, n.p).
London’s view on multiculturalism, more so Muslims living in the UK has been somewhat controversial since the London bombings. There have been three major crisis since the 1980’s which have caused tension between Muslims and non-Muslims: the Rushdie affair of the 80’s; the attacks of 9/11 in the US and the implications for Britain; and the most crucial event being the London bombings. British policy makers believe that multiculturalism has only added to the problem arguing that it is only creating a generation of “young angry Muslims” (Hardy, 2005, n.p).
The racist’s riots in Cronulla all started with a txt: “come to Cronulla this weekend to take revenge. This Sunday every Aussie in the shire to support the leb and wog bashing day” (Teo, 2006, cited in Re-thinking Multiculturalism and Performing the Cronulla Beach Riot, 2007, pp.37-38). In 2005 a fight between three lifeguards and four young Lebanese broke out which resulted in the lifeguards being brutally assaulted. This incident fuelled what was to become one of Australia’s most violent racially motivated events ‘Reclaim the Beach’. Thousands of young white Australians congregated at Cronulla Beach on 11 December 2005, waving their Australian flags, chanting ‘no more lebs’. Anyone of Lebanese appearance was fair game, which resulted in 25 people reported injuries and 12 arrests. For days following, both sides committed revenge attacks destroying property and a string of assaults. Barclay and West (2006, cited in Re-thinking Multiculturalism and Performing the Cronulla Beach Riot, 2007, pp.38-39) argue that it wasn’t just the assault of the lifeguards that started the riots but the behaviour of the Lebanese men prior that they were fed up with. According to locals the youths would bash beach goers, use their knives and weapons to threaten people, and taunt females enjoying the beach with sexual and racist comments. They see this ‘Re-claimation’ as a “Battle to shape the values that dominate this particular shared space”.
Pauline Hansen and her One Nation Party were vivid opposes of the Multicultural Policy. She criticized the government for spending to much money on resources for the ethnic minorities and that immigration laws for Asians needed to be tightened. Opinion polls for a woman who claimed that Aboriginals were once cannibals and ate their young were according The Independent (2007, n.p) gaining more support than the Greens. Which again questions the relevance of multiculturalism.
Ms Hansen had recently came out again still insisting that multiculturalism is not working for Australia and publically stating “I believe in people coming to Australia, assimilating, becoming Australian’s and be proud of this country and abide by the laws of the land”. Surprisingly when readers where asked if they would vote for Pauline Hansen in the NSW Upper House on 26th March 2011, the results were not that far apart with 49.4% saying no and a close 42.1% saying yes they would vote her back in based on her views on multiculturalism and what it means for Australia’s future (Harris, 2011, n.p).
Where does that leave Multiculturalism?
Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands turned their backs on multiculturalism, assuming monocultural societies. In the 1980s Denmark and the Netherlands accepted multiculturalism and passed similar legislation to that of Canada and Australia but they were abandoned after the assassinations of populist leader Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and Dutch film director Theo van Gogh in 2004. Their multicultural polices were replaced with severe and forceful ‘civic integration’ policies (Agozzino, 2007, pp.1-3).

Multiculturalism v Cultural Pluralism
Is cultural pluralism a progression of multiculturalism or are they the same thing? According to Dr. Sharma (2009, n.p) cultures of different nations in cultural pluralism require being equaled, and tolerant in their relationship. Multiculturalism on the other-hand stands for existing of cultures at the lowest level. In the UK the progression from multiculturalism to cultural pluralism came ‘cultural dualism’. The second generation of immigrants born and bred in the UK had new challenges to face. Their behaviour and thinking had to co-exist with their parents’ cultures, morals, manners and customs. During the day they were suit wearing British speaking professionals and by night they were taking Punjabi, eating curry and watching bollywood movies. They were forced to live two lives, as their society was not yet able to accept their customs despite the promotion of multiculturalism. This ‘dualism’ phenomenon was hard to accept among the younger generation who also had to face social and academic issues because of their cultural differences.
Cultural Pluralism however, aims to keep and maintain the uniqueness in all cultural identites. A society in which we can all co-exist and be respected for who we are no matter what god we believe in, what language we speak or what we wear whether it be a football jersey or a headscarf. Where having one or many languages is an asset and is encouraged in our education system (Jayasuriya, 1985, pp.1-3).
Critics of cultural pluralism on the other hand, believe that the bringing together of cultures will be a disaster and because of 11 September 2009 will never come to fruition. In spite of these criticisms the United Nations endeavors to promote peace and harmony for all us around the world. It declared that 21 May become ‘World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development’. An attempt to give rise to the cause of world peace, bring communities, cultures and people closer together (Sripathy, 2009, n.p).
Conclusion
The western world has seen rapid social and cultural changes since the beginning of the 19th Century. Liberism, post-modernism, and relativism have had a great influence on developing the idea of multiculturalism. The initial idea of having various cultures living side by side in harmony and peace later turned into open hostility after wave and wave of immigrants were encourage into our native lands. Our societies ethnic and social compositions were changed forever. The term multiculturalism was then said to be ‘outdated’ and no longer relevant in present times. It was either supported and valued for the creation of a universal society or criticized for the detrimental effects on national identity. Simultaneously, the escalation of globalization has brought on a new type of civilization, the rest of the world now being able to embrace and experience (or as critics may argue impose) the western way of life and visa versa (Catenaccio, 2003, p.60). Whether we call it ‘multiculturalism’, ‘cultural dualism’, ‘cultural diversity’, or ‘cultural pluralism’ the important issue here is that as a society we require patience, tolerance, acceptance and the ability to want to live together with mutual respect.

References
Agozzino-Organ, L. (2007) Multiculturalism. Available: http://www.multiculturefm.org/main/news/MulticulturalismPhilosophy.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012).
Alba, R. (1995) Assimilations Quiet Tide. Journal of Public Interest, Vol.119, 3.
Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship (2008). Available: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/citizenship.asp (accessed 27 April 2012).
Cattenacio, P. (2003) Between Multuculturalism and Globalization. Available: http://www.ledonline.it/mpw/allegati/mpw0303catenaccio.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012).
Commonwealth and State Ministers of the Native Welfare Conference (1961) The Policy of Assimilation. Available: http://archive.aiatsis.gov.au/referendum/18801.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012).
Crumley, B. (2011) The Riots of Paris and London: A Tale of Two Cities. Available: http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/08/09/the-riots-of-paris-and-london-a-tale-of-two-cities/ (accessed 26 April 2012).
Das, S. (2006) Howard 's way: multiculturalism is out, assimilation is in. The Age, 27 January. Available: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/01/26/1138066918369.html (accessed 28 April 2012).
Driedger, L and Burnet, J (2012) Multiculturalism. Available: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/multiculturalism (accessed 28 April 2012).
End of the White Australia Policy (2001). Available: http://www.abc.net.au/archives/80days/stories/2012/01/19/3415230.htm?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=Corp_Innovation-80Days%7CDay46_AdWords_:%2Bwhite%20%2Baustralian%20%2Bpolicy_b_g_17136772639___1t1&gclid=CNLv47zZ1q8CFUwmpAodbiDDCQ (accessed 27 April 2012).
Gratton, M. (2006) Howard claims victory in national culture wars. The Age, 26 January. Available: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pm-claims-victory-in-culture-wars/2006/01/25/1138066861163.html (accessed 25 April 2012).
Hardy, R. (2005) UK multi-culturalism under spotlight. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4681615.stm (accessed 25 April 2012).
Harrison, M. (2011) Multiculturalism, Descriptive Multiculturalism, Official Multiculturalism. Available: http://www.chemistrydaily.com/chemistry/Multiculturalism (accessed 23 April 2012).
Harris, M (2011). Hanson honesty is just the ticket. The Newcastle Herald, 10 March. Available: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/hanson-honesty-is-just-the-ticket/2098971.aspx (accessed 27 April 2012).
Jayasuriya, D.L. (1985) Muliculturalism in Australia. Ethnic Affairs Commision of NSW, Vol. 40:1, 3-4. Available: http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au/doc/jayasuriya_2.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012)
Jimmy Carter Quotes (1924). Available: http://en.proverbia.net/citasautor.asp?autor=11356 (accessed 28 April 2012).
Johanson K and Glow, H. (2007) Re-thinking Multiculturalism and Performing the Cronulla Beach Riots. The International Journal of the Humanities, Vol. 5:3, 1-11.
Milliken, R (2007). 'Australia 's Hitler ' claims Aborigines ate their young. The Independent, 27 April. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australias-hitler-claims-aborigines-ate-their-young-1269615.html (accessed 27 April 2012).
Padosky, E. (2000) Multiculturalism at the Millennium. Journal of Canadian Studies, Vol. 35:1, 138-60.
Reynolds, A. (1991) Bilingualism, Multiculturalism and Second Language Learning. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: New Jersey, UK.
Sharma, J. (2009) Multiculturalism or Pluralism. Available: http://www.confluence.org.uk/2009/03/18/multiculturalism-or-pluralism/
Singham, M. (2006) Multiculturalism in New Zealand – the need for a new paradigm. AEN Journal, Vol. 1:1, 37-41. Available: http://www.aen.org.nz/journal/1/1/singham.html (accessed 27 April 2012).
Sripathy, H. (2009) UNESCO 's World Day for Cultural Diversity. Available: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-05-20/news/27659705_1_cultural-diversity-scientific-and-cultural-organization-united-nations-educational (accessed 26 April 2012).
State multiculturalism has failed, says David Cameron (2011). Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12371994 (accessed 25 April 2012).
The current state of multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian multiculturalism 
2008‑2010 (2010). Available: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/multi-state/section1.asp (accessed 26 April 2012).

References: Agozzino-Organ, L. (2007) Multiculturalism. Available: http://www.multiculturefm.org/main/news/MulticulturalismPhilosophy.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012). Alba, R. (1995) Assimilations Quiet Tide. Journal of Public Interest, Vol.119, 3. Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship (2008) Cattenacio, P. (2003) Between Multuculturalism and Globalization. Available: http://www.ledonline.it/mpw/allegati/mpw0303catenaccio.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012). Commonwealth and State Ministers of the Native Welfare Conference (1961) The Policy of Assimilation. Available: http://archive.aiatsis.gov.au/referendum/18801.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012). Crumley, B. (2011) The Riots of Paris and London: A Tale of Two Cities. Available: http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/08/09/the-riots-of-paris-and-london-a-tale-of-two-cities/ (accessed 26 April 2012). Das, S. (2006) Howard 's way: multiculturalism is out, assimilation is in. The Age, 27 January. Available: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/01/26/1138066918369.html (accessed 28 April 2012). Driedger, L and Burnet, J (2012) Multiculturalism. Available: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/multiculturalism (accessed 28 April 2012). Gratton, M. (2006) Howard claims victory in national culture wars. The Age, 26 January. Available: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pm-claims-victory-in-culture-wars/2006/01/25/1138066861163.html (accessed 25 April 2012). Hardy, R. (2005) UK multi-culturalism under spotlight. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4681615.stm (accessed 25 April 2012). Harrison, M. (2011) Multiculturalism, Descriptive Multiculturalism, Official Multiculturalism. Available: http://www.chemistrydaily.com/chemistry/Multiculturalism (accessed 23 April 2012). Harris, M (2011). Hanson honesty is just the ticket. The Newcastle Herald, 10 March. Available: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/hanson-honesty-is-just-the-ticket/2098971.aspx (accessed 27 April 2012). Jayasuriya, D.L. (1985) Muliculturalism in Australia. Ethnic Affairs Commision of NSW, Vol. 40:1, 3-4. Available: http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au/doc/jayasuriya_2.pdf (accessed 27 April 2012) Jimmy Carter Quotes (1924) Johanson K and Glow, H. (2007) Re-thinking Multiculturalism and Performing the Cronulla Beach Riots. The International Journal of the Humanities, Vol. 5:3, 1-11. Milliken, R (2007) Padosky, E. (2000) Multiculturalism at the Millennium. Journal of Canadian Studies, Vol. 35:1, 138-60. Reynolds, A Sharma, J. (2009) Multiculturalism or Pluralism. Available: http://www.confluence.org.uk/2009/03/18/multiculturalism-or-pluralism/ Singham, M Sripathy, H. (2009) UNESCO 's World Day for Cultural Diversity. Available: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-05-20/news/27659705_1_cultural-diversity-scientific-and-cultural-organization-united-nations-educational (accessed 26 April 2012). State multiculturalism has failed, says David Cameron (2011). Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12371994 (accessed 25 April 2012). The current state of multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian multiculturalism 2008‑2010 (2010)