Arguments in favor of multiculturalism?

[Dre Crabbe]

Are there any? Personally, I can't really seem to think of any. Sure, many multiculturalists argue that a diverse and tolerant society creates peace and order in a world where cultures are colliding, but in practice it seems to go the other way around. Take countries with a strong muslim minority, for example: politicians and movie directors are assassinated in Holland, there have been race riots in France, etc. Some cultures just don't see to be... compatible with one another. What can multiculturalism really accomplish?

Note that I'm not arguing in favor of segregation or racism. I'm simply a proponent of keeping cultures within their own historical borders. Let everyone run their own affairs, while at the same time still co-operating through trade, research, etc.
This was all off the top of my head, I haven't posted on totse in ages so I hope I've been coherent enough, but I was wondering about this when it came up during one of my classes. Does anyone have any thoughts?

[PirateJoe]

You're right, multiculturalism is just a yuppy defense against white guilt.

[Satanz Handicaped Helper]

the only thing i can think of is help with understanding and appreciation of other cultures. like how lots of people think all Arabs are Muslim fundamentalists and political extremists, just because they are never really exposed to to their culture. maybe nation pride too? some people might see that as a bad thing though.

not to say it doesn't create problems. an example would be a few years ago near Christmas in Ireland, there was a manger scene in dublin city. but it had to be taken down because a small number of muslims complained calling it offensive. thats just retarded, Ireland is a Catholic country and if they didn't want to stay in Iran they should expect to see the Catholics doing Catholic things. I suppose that's just where the understanding comes into it, I'm sure there aren't many manger scenes where they lived.

[KikoSanchez]

It's not multiculturalism, but rather the people that is the problem. The same goes for racism, you can have black and white people all living in the same suburban area, with all the same values, etc and still people will find some way to generalize on arbitrary physical traits. People love to be divided and conquered, it is the peasant way.

[ChickenOfDoom]

Originally Posted by Dre Crabbe

Are there any? Personally, I can't really seem to think of any. Sure, many multiculturalists argue that a diverse and tolerant society creates peace and order in a world where cultures are colliding, but in practice it seems to go the other way around. Take countries with a strong muslim minority, for example: politicians and movie directors are assassinated in Holland, there have been race riots in France, etc. Some cultures just don't see to be... compatible with one another. What can multiculturalism really accomplish?

Note that I'm not arguing in favor of segregation or racism. I'm simply a proponent of keeping cultures within their own historical borders. Let everyone run their own affairs, while at the same time still co-operating through trade, research, etc.
This was all off the top of my head, I haven't posted on totse in ages so I hope I've been coherent enough, but I was wondering about this when it came up during one of my classes. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Multiculturalism is fine, so long as you aren't letting a large group of people actively isolate themselves in their own little group within your society. This is normally accomplished passively by mandatory public schooling and a far reaching social bias to have at least a semblance of individuality, and in the long term with discouraging negative reactions to interracial relationships. It could probably use an upgrade, maybe needs to be a little more forceful (subtly and in a way that doesn't trample on individual rights anymore than they already do of course), but in general the idea is to work in the direction of integration, despite how many countries have failed at this, because it obviously doesn't always fail. The fact that people in this country refer to the race of everyone that's from europe as 'white' is pretty good evidence that this is possible.

Why integrate? I don't actually know why most people think this is important, and I can't say I feel particularly strongly about it, but hell, why not? Bigger gene pool, people less likely to hate you if you feel like moving to Hawaii or Spain or something (or outright tell you to gtfo), and you can check off another one of the various excuses governments come up with to go to war. The general media's always crapping on the ethnicity of whoever we happen to be fighting one way or another, and it's nice to have a way to call them on their bullshit.

Also, fuck culture. Cultures can all go die in a fire and everyone would do just great.

[Big Steamers]

My father is from Indiana and my mother from Louisiana and I am a Texan. Multiculturalism to me is just an unintended consequence of migration.

[Pink P&ther]

Diversity and evolution, better chance of survival and adaptation yadda yadda yadda...

But that doesn't really apply anymore.

[Xim]

Originally Posted by ChickenOfDoom

Also, fuck culture. Cultures can all go die in a fire and everyone would do just great.

Dude, culture is everywhere. Hell, this board has it's own little culture. Also, culture encompasses nearly every aspect of your, my, and everyone elses life. Without culture, the world would be more boring than you could possibly imagine.

[KikoSanchez]

Originally Posted by Xim

Dude, culture is everywhere. Hell, this board has it's own little culture. Also, culture encompasses nearly every aspect of your, my, and everyone elses life. Without culture, the world would be more boring than you could possibly imagine.

I think he is saying "fuck traditional divisions of culture" as they are broad, sweeping generalizations, such as "white culture" or "asian culture." These seem to be prescriptive, where everyone in the society ought to dogmatically conform to the cultural standards. Imo, people should just think critically for themselves and the world would be a better place. Just because culture surrounds you doesn't mean you have to follow and praise it.

[Benito Faggluey]

Originally Posted by KikoSanchez

I think he is saying "fuck traditional divisions of culture" as they are broad, sweeping generalizations, such as "white culture" or "asian culture." These seem to be prescriptive, where everyone in the society ought to dogmatically conform to the cultural standards. Imo, people should just think critically for themselves and the world would be a better place. Just because culture surrounds you doesn't mean you have to follow and praise it.

Exactly. Culture is bullshit. Look at Quebec, the ultimate example of a people sucking their own dicks because of their love of "their culture". Culture is a retarded waste of time in which those who live for it will be looked back by next generations as gluttonous wastes of life.

.....Cultural foods, on the other hand, should never be forgotten.