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theadvancedapes  ·  4375 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The downside of diversity

IMO America's problem isn't diversity, it is the cultural attitudes towards diversity. In every Canadian introductory sociology class the American and Canadian cultural perceptions on multiculturalism are dissected. In America, there is an emphasis on creating a "melting pot" or a homogenous culture. In Canada, there is an emphasis on multiculturalism. If you attempt to create a homogenous culture out of a population with diverse cultural backgrounds you are bound to alienate most ethnic groups and make them feel unwanted and "un-insert-country-here". There is an entire media culture in America that directly or indirectly asserts that WASP's are American and all others must assimilate or be viewed as "not-quite-American" (i.e., African-American, Asian-American, Native-American, etc.) but not AMERICAN. The fact that there is no phrase "European-American" or "British-American" is a product of this attitude. I do not want to end before stating that Canada is not a perfect example of multiculturalism. We also have our issues with our changing demographics and emerging identity. But our multicultural experiment has produced a more harmonious dynamic. Finally, I want to say that I think this article is dangerous because it is justifying, and even calling for, segregationist polices.