On Multiculturalism

Throughout Europe, multiculturalism is taking a rattling. Some on the far-right are stating attempts at multiculturalism 'have failed' while even those on the left push for harder restraints on immigration. Citizens of western nations speak in hushed tones of the foreign cultures that they see taking taking hold and becoming increasingly vocal in their countries.

It's a perfectly human reaction to fear the unfamiliar, and certainly not irrational. The problem comes when we turn to the wrong source to learn about a culture, and we start to see it through prejudiced eyes. Or worse still, a refusal to learn whatsoever, perhaps the most irrational response. What citizens should do is learn about a foreign culture straight from a source- two things may then happen.

We may draw comparisons with our own cultural values and decide there are more points and values we agree with and disagree. But we may decide there are major points of a foreign culture we not only disagree with but entirely deplore, and it would be foolish to ignore such practises for the sake of tolerance.

What about the BNP in Britain then? They promote fear through their notion of an 'Islamafication' of Britain, sharia law is certainly at odds with British values and greatly objectionable.  It's important to note that their scaremonger campaign takes place in areas of the country where ethnic diversity and multiculturalism is almost non-existent. The mere presence of BNP leaders in more multicultural areas such as London resulted in a hail of eggs thrown in their direction.

But what about the closed immigrant, who moves from their homeland to a new nation, but is unenthusiastic about learning about or adapting this new culture? Refusing to learn the local language, living within a closed community with only others from the same culture, that is an inexcusable lifestyle.

Immigrants should embrace citizenship (here in Canada they vote dis-proportionately highly, setting a needed example) and it really shouldn't mean compromising their native culture. In the few areas of life where civic virtues and native virtues conflict, for reasons of social solidarity national citizenship should always take priority.
I've seen and experienced multiculturalism enrich nations, and I think the typical citizen embraces a multitude of cultures and finds nothing wrong only to the point where they feel their own culture is at stake. That fear should be denied basis.