Multiculturalism, that notion that people should permanently retain their separate and distinct previous or ancestral cultures, rather than gradually assimilate into the national culture, has come full circle and arrived at the only destination the multi cultural road can lead to - defacto segregation.
Respect for, and appreciation of, differences in cultures, is a fine thing.
Deliberately dividing people into distinct separate groups, based on ethnicity, with the explicit purpose of avoiding assimilation into the larger whole, is dangerous for a nation and divisive for a nations people. (Just look to France and the U.K. and their unassimilated muslim populations.)
Case in Point:
The University of Massachusetts at Amherst - Student housing programs now offers “Living and Learning Communities”, separate living areas for University Students, based on their ethnic backgrounds.
Special Interest Residential Programs
Harambee: African Heritage
Southeast Area: Coolidge Hall
One Floor of 30 Students
“Through the celebration and study of African history and culture, the Harambee Program aims to foster the educational success of students of African descent… “
Asian/Asian American Program
Northeast Area: Dwight Hall
One Floor of 40 Students
“This program is designed for Asian and Asian American students and for others interested in Eastern cultures. The program seeks to create a supportive living/learning environment that encourages personal growth and academic achievement…”
Kanonhsesne: Native American Student Program
Central Area: Chadbourne Hall
One Floor of 40 Students
“Kanonhsesne is a residential community for Native American students and other interested in native cultures. Many nations are represented, and residents have the opportunity to affirm their own identities and learn about the customs and traditions of other tribes. Kanonhsesne is Iroquois for Long House…”
Not large scale, admittedly, but an intentional separation, none the less.
I guess I don’t understand the logic of promoting respect for all cultures, including one assumes, the majority culture, and then adopting programs to deliberately isolate and insulate young people, from, those other cultures.
Multiculturalism, which has been sold in America and Europe, on the basis of respect for others, now moves forward into it’s inevitable final phase, the promotion of separate facilities in a public institution, based on ethnicity.
Now, I realize that the University is not forcing these separate housing arrangements upon anyone.
But they are promoting them.
I suppose if you applied for housing, not matching your particular ethnicity, they would legally be required to accommodate you.
It would seem unlikely, that would be the practical reality.
This is the inevitable destination of the Multi cultural road. The separate nation/cultures of the world, replicated in microcosm, within America.
And we all know how well that presently works, out there, in the actual macro-world.
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