HUMA 024

Alan Gregg, “Identity Crisis” (Cockerton and Chaparian 116-125)

Multiculturalism

Definition: promoting the identity of different cultures in one country

The Canadian mosaic

n “enshrining multiculturalism in its Charter of Rights of Freedoms and by promoting policies of inclusion” (116).

Statistics

“In 1984, Canada admitted only 88,239 immigrants, but the years following saw increased numbers, and by 2001, some 5.4 million Canadians aged fifteen or older were foreign-born—18.4 percent of the population. …In 2004, only 20 percent came from Europe, while nearly 50 percent came from China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Korea, or Iran.”
(121).

Is multiculturalism good for us?

Why does multiculturalism make people better?

What do you learn?

What’s the opposite of multiculturalism? Assimilation

“Immigration was clearly controlled through country of origin quotas, which actively restricted non-white immigrants and implicitly forwarded the notion that nation-building required assimilation” (120)

Are there problems?

According to Gregg’s survey, most Canadians think that Canada is currently accepting too many immigrants (117).

69% of “Canadians say immigrants should “integrate and become part of the Canadian culture,” rather than “maintain their [own] identity” (117).

Examples of intercultural conflict?

Challenges

“to foster an inclusive society in which people of all backgrounds and whose identities are recognized as vital to an evolving Canadian identity, feel a sense of belonging and attachment to this country and participate more fully in Canadian society” (121-122).

Issues

Ethnic enclaves (communities where immigrants live without learning English or interacting with other ethnicities) (117)

Are there limits to tolerance?

Example: religious head-coverings

“Little Mosque on the Prairie” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2YR2Kte2WI

In France, the hijab (head covering) is banned in public schools.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/islam/hijab.html

Quebec has proposed a ban on the niqab (face veil) for those receiving government services (eg. universities).

http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/quebec-proposes-ban-on-islamic-face-veil/

Second-generation?

Joseph Reitz did research that suggests that “Canada’s newest arrivals are not only failing to catch up financially, but the gap between them and non-immigrant groups is widening” (123)

“it is with the second generation … that ethnic tensions and alienation most clearly reveal themselves”( 123)