Multiculturalism

Now since you know the gravity of diversity, this brings us to our next topic, multiculturalism. The term “describes the existence, acceptance, or promotion of multiple cultural traditions within a singe jurisdiction, usually, considered in terms of the culture associated with an ethnic group” (“Multiculturalism”, n.d.). On paper, it makes it seem like a wonderful, easy concept to accomplish, I mean Canada’s already got that covered right? That being said, I want to focus on Canada’s multiculturalism policy that was introduced in 1971; does it work? How well does it work if it does? Are there any problems with it? Nevertheless, the policy has 2 essential emphases; the first being, “the maintenance of heritage, cultures and identities and the second being, the full and equitable participation of all ethnocultural groups in the life of the larger society” (Hogarth and Fletcher, 2018). This policy’s premise is based on that when people feel secure in their identity with no threat to it, they will be in the ideal position to accept others with differing backgrounds. This is problematic as it connects with the Self/Other construct where the identity of the Self is made and set in how we create the Other. Thus, it does not take into deliberation all the societal constructions around difference, that when we look at the Other we come to an overestimated construction of the Self, which provides justification to the domination and superiority over the Other.  Additionally, Trudaeu’s policy did not take into account the complexity of inequalities or power differentials. Though, his policy offered a promise of belonging, it has lead to fragmentation and segregation rather than integration of diverse groups. Problems that have risen with multiculturalism is the promotion of hyphenated-Canadians, resulting in a reduced sense of Canadian identity and mental ghettos as immigrants feel they must pick between loyalties. Furthermore, laws visibly targeted at immigrants are being passed that clearly go against Canada’s moto of equality, acceptance and an inclusive society, just look at Bill 60 that Quebec passed where it bans religious wear and accessories in the public sector all the while remaining religious neutrality (Bill 60, 2013). A deeper look into the constantly asked question of “Where are you from?” to immigrants is a way of proclaiming “Canadianness” while implying that immigrants are not Canadian and will always be from somewhere else, in so doing cementing supremacy in space and time. Thus,  multiculturalism shows that it must necessarily “move away from the idea of one dominant culture that lays the frame of reference for the existence of tolerance towards other cultures. As such it must maintain a view of citizenship where the boundaries of citizenship are not coterminous with belonging to a community in the singular” (Anthias and Lloyd, 2002). Finally, to answer whether or not multiculturalism is working in Canada ; it’s not. Immigrants become entranced by media’s portrayal of Canada but the reality is that although immigrants do not have to shed their cultural identities- right away, they are expected to still adopt Canadian values. Multiculturalism looks and sounds good on paper, once practiced it is simply a tool of management of the differing cultures and identities to keep the hegemonic power relationships.

Can this be fixed?

Well as long as the voices of the people whose lives are being impacted the most by these systemic injustices continue to be silenced, then these inequalities will not be fixed for quite some time. To fix this, it needs to undergo structural change where power and who holds the power must be accounted for, as the “ruling class” dictates how everyone gets along.

References

CBC News: The National. (2016, November 21). Is Canadian multiculturalism a myth? | The Sunday Talk [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsDXhtllREg&t=16s

Evans, T., & Santa Ana College. (n.d.). Cultural Anthropology. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/culturalanthropology/chapter/multiculturalism/.

Hogarth, K., & Fletcher, W. L. (2018). A space for race : Decoding racism, multiculturalism, and post-colonialism in the quest for belonging in canada and beyond. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.libproxy.wlu.ca

Bill 60, Charter affirming the values of State secularism and religious neutrality and of equality between women and men, and providing a framework for accommodation requests, 1^st session, 40^th Legislature, Quebec, 2013.

Anthias, F., & Lloyd, C. (2002). Rethinking Anti- racisms: From theory to practice. London: Routledge.