Let’s call it ‘pluralism’…. is ‘multiculturalism’ dead?
This is a very important debate. Really want to hear from the readers on this. BTW, should Kenney change his title to “minister responsible for pluralism”? Any alarm here?
In short:
So … what’s the difference?
Multiculturalism:
The term is strictly for immigrants – it does not include Canada’s English or French founding cultures or aboriginal people, government documents suggest. Jason Kenney, the federal minister in charge of multiculturalism, says the word also conjures up images of “song, sari and samosas.”
Pluralism:
In a “pluralistic” society, different cultures work together, supporters say – there is no “them,” only “us.” Kenney says he started using the term because he was “looking for a terminology that went beyond parallel cultural silos … that don’t communicate between one another.”
Kudos to the Star on the story.
Tags: Jason Kenney, multiculturalism, pluralismOTTAWA–Jason Kenney is the federal minister in charge of Canada’s multiculturalism. But for the last couple of years, he’s been wondering whether “pluralism” might be a better word to describe this country’s cultural diversity.
And so have government officials, according to documents obtained by the Star.
“What if the picture we have of ourselves shifted Canada as a multicultural society to Canada as a pluralistic society?” is the question posed in a series of slides prepared for a September 2008 discussion within government.
“Would the discourse change? Would it change the way we design policy and programs? Would the notion of Canadian identity change?”
In Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Canada, where blue is the new red, and much attention is paid to symbols and logos, word choice is significant. And with Kenney’s recent rollout of a new citizenship study guide, it is also obvious that the Conservative government has been doing some serious thinking about how to update and describe the Canadian national identity.
Multiculturalism, according to Kenney and the departmental documents, may have had the result of keeping various cultures separate in Canada, while “pluralism” is focused on getting different cultures to work together.
“I started using the term a little bit, firstly because I was looking for a terminology that went beyond parallel cultural silos,” Kenney says. “I think that’s one understanding of multiculturalism – that we set up a bunch of cultural silos that don’t communicate between one another. My emphasis has been on a more integrated multiculturalism, building bridges between communities and ensuring full equality of opportunity for new Canadians in mainstream society.”
Nearly 30 years since multiculturalism was enshrined in the Constitution and two decades since the Multiculturalism Act was passed in Parliament, legislating cultural awareness and understanding, Kenney believes that the word has become stuck in some old ways of thinking.
It’s not a word, for instance, that can be used to describe English or French founding cultures, or aboriginal culture – it’s strictly for immigrants, it seems.
Moreover, says Kenney, when people think of multiculturalism in Canada these days, they tend to conjure up images of “food, folklore and festivals” or his other favourite alliteration, “song, sari and samosas.”
“Multiculturalism says to a lot of people `kiosks at folk fests,’” Kenney says.
“We need a term that has a deeper meaning; that talks about the deeply different world views or belief systems that people have, and I thought pluralism perhaps speaks more to that.”
The words are used interchangeably in the new citizenship study guide unveiled in November.
Under a heading about Canada’s multicultural reality, the guide states: “Canadians celebrate the gift of one another’s presence and work hard to respect pluralism and live in harmony.”
In the departmental documents, officials state that “multiculturalism was not designed to include our national minorities, i.e. Quebec and aboriginal peoples” and that “official languages, aboriginal and multicultural policies are not perceived as fully inclusive.”
Describing Canada as a pluralistic society, however, might solve those problems and others, the documents suggest.
On one slide, titled “What is pluralism, really?” the following definitions are supplied:
It addresses the sum of diversity – there is no “them” in successful pluralism, only “us.”
It could be the natural next step in a mature multicultural society – groups can learn to balance their interests.
It is a way of addressing difference, not just diversity.
It is a way of understanding that the challenges are common.
Kenney hastens to say no one is thinking about taking the word multiculturalism out of the Constitution or renaming any departments or legislation within government. That would just be too complicated, he says. But the immigration minister is trying to talk up the notion of pluralism when he goes out to deliver speeches and make appearances at the many multicultural events he attends as part of his duties.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is skeptical about Kenney’s approach, saying this is a minister whose whole mission seems to revolve around using multiculturalism to boost the electoral prospects of Conservatives.
“The key thing is the political manipulation of ethnicity for political gain. And all of us, all politicians have to take our responsibilities,” Ignatieff said in a recent interview.
“We condescend to people when we think the only thing they’re interested in is being spoken to as an ethnic group. They want to be spoken to as citizens and they want to participate, and they want to be included and they want to be talked to as Canadians.”
Kenney denies that partisanship is behind all this attention on multiculturalism, which has been, rightly or wrongly, more associated with Liberal governments and politics.
This multiculturalism/pluralism debate isn’t about the Liberal legacy, Kenney insists.
“Part of my effort to recover our history of diversity is to remind people that in fact the term `multiculturalism’ was introduced into Canadian political discourse by Conservatives. And it was really John Diefenbaker’s government in the 1950s and 1960s that started this whole movement in politics,” Kenney says.
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WTF? Since when has multiculturalism not included the English and the French?!? The term grew out of biculturalism which just meant English and French. Multiculturalism took biculturalism and added everyone else.
I think this is just the CONS trying to redefine the language so they can change what it means to be Canadian… A definition that is traditionally strongly tied to multiculturalism.
playing with words like this reminds me of cold-war type of debate on ideology
don’t we have more urgent problems to solve than killing “multiculturalism” that canada has been so much proud of and well-known of?
This fool is the multicultural minister? I thought Harper was bad, but his cabinet is even worse! Wasting time talking about nonsense when there’s a million other things better for him to do. With politicians like this, you really can’t fault Canadians for being so disengaged from politics. Did this guy even finish high school?
On the other hand, I am impressed that he recognizes the pitfalls of multiculturalism. I’m not sure if throwing out “multiculturalism” is a good idea. But recognizing its problems, evolving the policy, and moving forward is a good idea.
i agree with Shawn. When they said that multiculturalism did not include the French and the English, I also went, “WHAT. THE. FxxK?!” But since he has already done a great job of briefing the history, I won’t repeat it again. Shame on the reporter for the false information.
Nevertheless, I do think this article has a legitimate point: Multiculturalism DOESN’T address differences, inequalities, and challenges. In fact, “multiculturalism” is sort of like slapping a band-aid over a wound and claiming, “Racism doesn’t exist in Canada! We are multicultural! We are tolerant!” I’m sure we know by now this statement cannot be held true for the ENTIRE country of Canada. Moreover, as the article mentions, it seems more about planning ethnic festivals than righting past wrongs and advancing the socioeconomic conditions of the newcomers.
With that being said, I agree with the main points of Ignatieff’s response: “We condescend to people when we think the only thing they’re interested in is being spoken to as an ethnic group. They want to be spoken to as citizens and they want to participate, and they want to be included and they want to be talked to as Canadians.”
So unless REAL action is going to be taken through public policies, consultation with ethnic associations, etc., then I see no point in changing the term “multiculturalism” to “pluralism.” In fact, it might even be worse: By re-writing a definition, we believe that that is all it takes to make everything okay again. I mean, why do more work when you all you had to do was flick off your pen cap and cross the old word out and replace it with a new, politically-correct one? [Note: I realize this is not the actual process of re-wording a document, I am simply using an analogy].
By simply changing the term to “pluralism,” it is assumed that this would automatically lead to “a more integrated multiculturalism, build[ing] bridges between communities and ensuring full equality of opportunity for new Canadians in mainstream society.” Why not talk about HOW you will be transforming these great ideas into a reality instead of emphasizing so much on the definition of pluralism vs. multiculturalism? Frankly, I’m not so picky on the terms. I’m more concerned about the lack of action.
By the way, can I say how refreshing it is to finally come across a political blog that represents the more accurate truth of China, the relations between Canada & China, Chinese Canadians, and Chinese citizens? I am so sick of the Western media’s bias, their “incomplete” information, double standards, and “subtle” racism. Fxxx that.
Pluralism means White people at top of the pyramid, and a “plural” of more or less equal colored people communities at the bottom.
ChengFan’s statement, “Pluralism means White people at top of the pyramid, and a “plural” of more or less equal colored people communities at the bottom,” is just another example of the blatent hate-mongering and racism within the Chinese community. Some of the most racist people in this country are Chinese and I do not blame anyone for wanting maintain their country and culture in the face of masses of unmitigated immigration we are currently seeing in Canada. Take Richmond, B.C. for example or Brampton, Ontario–they are both prime examples of how immigrants of specific ethnic backgrounds segregate, discriminate and colonize areas of an urban region just like the supposed “white devil” everyone always talks about.
I know plenty of successful coloured people and visible “minorities,” although that term is loosely defined now considering that many of them are not minorities in Toronto or Vancouver. The reason “white” people perhaps carry a larger percentage of the upper-tier jobs is because they have been here far far longer than most immigrants and worked their way up over time. Don’t forget that “white” people are also the vast majority of Canadians by and far and still dictate the culture and customs of Canada. I know numerous 2nd generation Asians who are working in upper-tier jobs now and are contributing the betterment of this country through actively integrating and being proud of their Canadian identity and citizenship.
Cheers
Do you normally delete comments that don’t fit within your purview of political thought? I thought this was a forum, not a fascist agenda. Apparently I was wrong.
the system requires all first-time posters to be moderated. once you have been approved the first time, your comments will be displayed automatically after you publish, unless your comments appear like spams to the system which will then require moderation again.
when posts are sent to admin for moderation, it will usually take some time as i’m not around the computer 24/7.
Thanks then! No hard feelings:)
Foogle says:
February 4, 2010 at 1:54 pm
ChengFan’s statement, “Pluralism means White people at top of the pyramid, and a “plural” of more or less equal colored people communities at the bottom,” is just another example of the blatent hate-mongering and racism within the Chinese community. Some of the most racist people in this country are Chinese and I do not blame anyone for wanting maintain their country and culture in the face of masses of unmitigated immigration we are currently seeing in Canada. Take Richmond, B.C. for example or Brampton, Ontario–they are both prime examples of how immigrants of specific ethnic backgrounds segregate, discriminate and colonize areas of an urban region just like the supposed “white devil” everyone always talks about.
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Foogle, I encourage you to read the “Eight Nation Alliance”, now that is segregate, discriminate and colonize an area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-Nation_Alliance
In the old days, Chinese people had to stay in Chinatown because they would be beat up if they go outside of the area.
Marco Polo went to China as a lone white man and became a high officer of the Chinese court.
If you would look at the Indian influence in Chinese folklore and Buddhism, if we apply the whitemen’s way of thinking, Buddhism would not be as prevailent in China, even today.
If you would look at East Hastings, it is the Chinese who co-exist with the Natives for since history. No white people would tolerate the Natives.
In Canada, there are recorded riots against the Chinese and never the other way around.
Oh, try to look up the Chinese Exclusion Acts and Head Taxes, speaking of segregation and discrimination.
Look at all those people crying “Boycott made in China”……………..to me, this is intolerance, this is discriminatory, this is hatred against the Chinese.
Have you ever heard of the term “yellow peril”, it was propaganda used in the old days to boycott the Chinese, how time has not changed.
Do you know the history of the Jack Chow building?
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You also said:: I know numerous 2nd generation Asians who are working in upper-tier jobs now and are contributing the betterment of this country through actively integrating and being proud of their Canadian identity and citizenship.
——-
Why 2nd generation Asians, do you know that the Hong Kong Chinese took BC out of the recession during the 80′s. Why immigrants cannot be credited for their contribution to Canada. Why is it that you must be “2nd generation” before you are entitled to “upper-tier” jobs. Isn’t that discriminatory?
Foogle,
My answer to your paragraph 1:
Blatent hate-mongering and racism within the Chinese community? I am racist because?
You do not blame anyone for wanting maintain their country and culture in the face of masses of unmitigated immigration we are currently seeing in Canada?
Excuse me. Do you know we have Chinatown? Do you know why Chinatown can have chinese signs and chinese restaurants and chinese stuff all over? How many years have Chinatown existed? Also, Little Italy, German neighborhood, French neighborhood, Spanish, Portuguese and etc.
BTW, you do know you are in Canada now? Why do you speak Euro languages and build Euro style buildings?
How come you don’t integrate with Native Indians?
You said, “Richmond, B.C. for example or Brampton, Ontario–they are both prime examples of how immigrants of specific ethnic backgrounds segregate, discriminate and colonize areas of an urban region just like the supposed “white devil” everyone always talks about.”
How did we segregate and discriminate and colonize those areas? Do we not allow White people to come? Do we beat up and kill and discriminate White people in those areas? (according to your logic, since white people are racist, we must racist too?) Colonize? I didn’t know those areas are independend from White Canada. Let me check …
My answer to your paragraph 2:
What you said meant two things–”quota hire” and “token blacks” as seen in the USA.
When Foogle said we colonize those areas, did we use weapons of mass destruction or did we pay White people foreign currency for land they stole from native indians?
Refund us? Give us back our money and we go back to our own countries.
I know what Foolge was thinking … in Richmond B.C. and Brampton, Markham, Scarborough Ontario, we probably have Hitler’s gas chambers and death camps waiting if any White people dare to enter our segregated, discriminated, colonized areas.
Thanks for the comments folks. By no means was I referring to tokenism or quota hires ( which, for the record are even more degrading to everyone) but moreso to the large agglomerations of people from specific ethnic groups (for instance, Chinese) who are more than happy to segregate, keep hyphenated identities and not integrate even though they made the choice to move to a new country. I am a Canadian of many generations (essentially ethnically Canadian) And everyone who eventually Immigrates here should become Canadian, not Chinese with a Canadian passport for example. It’s simple, a nation functions better, has more effective decision-making processes and can rally support more easily when everyone is relatively on the same page. It is hard enough having political balance with biculturalism. Multiculturalism is a total farce and does not work. It is better for both you and I to work together as canadians not hyphenated parts who cannot understand or relate to each other. As for first nations, they are not immigrants and we need to do everything we can as a society to ensure we rectify past injustices towards them. For the record, racism is a knee-jerk reaction by the uneducated and every race, creed and religion are gulity of it– gasp!! Even Chinese-Canadians!!
Foogle,
Thank you very much for your feedback. I knew you were going to say ALL THAT. Trust me, we have had discussion like that before.
What you said about is, how I do put it nicely, a PR statement.
*You are trying to “pacify the indians” with your empty speech. I am sorry; it won’t work.
Why don’t you tell the truth? That is, could you tell me when will your mainstream White society let native indians in and be an equal participant? I am not talking about past injustices. I am talking about today’s hiring practices, white people’s attitude and demeanor towards them, housing arrangement, native land claims and stuff like that.
We all know white people don’t really want other racial hyphenated identities to move into White neighborhoods.
And when so many of us moved into a previous predominant white neighborhood like Richmond B.C. or Brampton Ontario, you slander us for segregation? Why do White people move there or move out of there? Did we hang people from a tree or burn a cross on someone’s lawn? I wonder what happened.
Please be honest here. Did your white government ask whether Canada’s general populace would want to see a large group colored immigrants moving/living in Canada?
Why would you move to see a large group of colored immigrants into your White Society? Isn’t it a self-contradictory statement? Look no further than your own track record of how racial minorities have been treated here. I am talking about the 2nd/3rd/4th generation of Canadian-born blacks, chinese, japanese and etc. Stop your lies about integration. By the way, you do plan to close down those concentration camps under the name native reserves real soon, right?
You know what, let’s say I agree with you. We should integrate and shall become Canadian.
You First. When will you White people stop practicing your Euro culture then? For example, why do people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Canada? This isn’t Ireland. How about Octoberfest? What’s next? Easter Holiday? What does that have to do with Canada? St. George’s Day? Orangemen’s Day? Regatta Day?
They have nothing to do with symbols of Canada and heritage.
I should also share our immigrants’ perspective to you. According to your White government’s propaganda in the immgration brochure, Canada is SUPPOSED TO BE a country about Freedom, Human Rights, Cultural Diversity, Democracy, Rule of Law and etc.
But, in reality, what you White people really want is a diabolical regime of only one race–White Supremacy and Absolute White Rule.
As I said in another topic, you have the right to choose your lifestyle. Nothing wrong with that. But why are you lying about your “true self” in front of others? Allowing immigrants to come? When your general populace doesn’t want to see that! Apparently, you don’t want someone to have certain freedom, you don’t feel someone has the human rights to do certain things and you certainly don’t want cultural diversity or democracy (the chance of Whites being minority) and you only want to rule under White man’s Justice and etc.
Refund us? Give us back OUR money and we go back to our own countries. It is better for me, and it is better for you. Let’s part our separate ways and give back the money you stole from us with your lies.
I wrote a long reply to Foogle and it is waiting for moderation. Stay tuned.
I cannot emphasize this enough … regarding Freedom, Human Rights, Cultural Diversity, Democracy, Rule of Law.
Start telling the Truth. I beg you, please.
For example, when you talk about Freedom, tell people how it is different for White Canadians and Colored minorities. As colored minorities, we are not supposed to do certain things because we only have “freedom” as defined in White people’s grand scheme of things in Canada. That is, we don’t have freedom to have chinese malls and stuff, but white people have freedom to have white malls and white shops?
The sooner you tell YOUR TRUTH, the better off everyone becomes. Trust me. Many immigrants don’t understand the Real White Canadian definition of Freedom, Human Rights, Cultural Diversity, Democracy, Rule of Law in Canada. That’s why white people are not happy to see us misbehaving ourselves in their country–Canada.
Tell the truth. Start now.
Thanks for your thoughts ChengFan. Cheers. Welcome to Canada. I also just have to point out that I have never seen a “White Mall” or “white shop” anywhere in Canada….really don’t know what you’re referencing to, but I have seen numerous “Chinese malls” and “Chinese shops” which begs the question, “Just who are the ones practicing segregation?” Either way, it doesn’t matter. We are all brothers/sisters of the human race and I don’t want to argue about semantics. We just need to get along. Happy Chinese New Year and Happy New Year and Happy Trails!
Cheers
I wish to talk about integration, because we are being asked a lot on this. I want to type this here just so I don’t have to type again.
Every time I hear this, I would be thinking–huh!? C’mon, it is so laughable especially when white people only say this to “immigrants” but not the native indians and other racial minorities who live in ethnic slums, ghettos, shanty towns and skid rows? How do you say a blatant lie like that with a straight face? Are you trying to pull a fast one on us because you think we are only immigrants, and so we don’t know your society in Canada/North America?
Would people in a White neigbhorhood complain about they don’t have enough blacks and latinos living with them? You want more chinese in your white neighborhood–Wahaha.
People have told me Canadians are hypocrites in a big way. They are just as racist if not more. A white friend of mine from USA can’t believe how many unkind things he hear about Asians/East Indians/Americans in Vancouver. He see people so rude and just downright unhelpful. However, a lot of Canadians will go out of their way to say how racist it is somewhere other than their own backyard.
People also said they think you despise asians mainly cause of their facial differences…i.e. slanted eyes, flat face, imperfect english. Also, you hate to be beaten at their own game, aka as being a success at life via good jobs achieved via meritocracy. (a.k.a. stealing white people’s jobs)
Honestly, how do feel about colored minorities taking jobs away from White people? You see, we understand you perfectly. Why don’t they wash dishes in Chinatown? Why are they in the offce working alongside white people? There is already enough office politics, enough b.s., enough ‘what can I do to you today, to make myself look better tomorrow.’ And now the racial minorities are here to get a share?
No more lies. Just tell the truth please.
About the mall and shop thing, it is real simple. Just like White neighborhoods, you don’t want ethnic shops in “mainstream” shopping malls. You don’t want to rent to us. (and you charge us more on other things, too, just because we are immigrants like interac and other business related services–but that’s just more normal to you people) You know the Aberdeen Centre in Richmond? The developer never planned it to become Chinese mall. But when he finished the mall, he couldn’t get White people’s business to move in there. He had no choice but to rent to ethnic shops. And now, someone is turning around and say we segregate, discriminate and colonize areas of an urban region? What about the ethnic slums, ghettos, and native reserves, THOSE, you are fine with it because you don’t want to see them in White neigbhorhoods.
You see, we know very well what you really mean by not integrating. But I have said enough. Why don’t you tell the truth on this?
Foogle says:
February 6, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Thanks for your thoughts ChengFan. Cheers. Welcome to Canada. I also just have to point out that I have never seen a “White Mall” or “white shop” anywhere in Canada….really don’t know what you’re referencing to, but I have seen numerous “Chinese malls” and “Chinese shops” which begs the question, “Just who are the ones practicing segregation?””"
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Foogle, I don’t know if you have ever been to the T&Ts before the take over by the Loblaws group, there were very few white people in those days. But after the announcement that the T&T was purchased by the Westins, suddenly all the white people started to go to the T&T. Something very interesting is that since the take over, the services had gone down and the prices up. Yet now you see on the average about 5% white people in the stores, whereas before you would see an occassional loner trickle in looking for a specific Asian item.
I agree with you that we are all human beings and that we should all try to understand each other. But the damages have been done too much and too long, the white people must own up to it. Unfortunately, instead of trying to atone for the past, what I see today is fervent anti-China sentiments whipped up by politicians and citizens alike, especially by the Western media. When I was kid, I asked my father if the internment of the Japanese will ever happen again, he said no but the internment of the Chinese was a strong possibility. At that time, I reflected that was impossible because Canada was a progressive modern country, that will never happen to the Chinese. But given the recent hatred promulgated against China and the Chinese, I suddenly realized how far-sighted my father was.
Do you know that the Jews never thought the Holocaust was possible?
Personally, I am afraid. Not of internment nor losing my worldly possessions but of what Canada has become.
My Canada is not the Canada of today. I had a vision of my Canada standing up for the truth. I am afraid that Canada is moving farther and farther away from what Canada once stood for and back to the future of hatred and demagoguery.
ChinkTalk,
Canada is always the same old Canada. You believed in the lies and propaganda as seen in Hitler’s Germany. Nothing more …