Multiculturalism

Kym Carson

6/10/2012

Week 1

Multiculturalism

“Multiculturalism”, according to Gregory Rodriquez (LA Times),” is the belief that ethnic minorities should be encouraged to maintain their traditions.” Does this weaken or strengthen America’s identity?

America was founded on immigrants from many different countries. It was termed as the “melting pot” for which people strived to work together as a nation, melting the different cultures into a new one. That’s the multiculturalism that strengthens a country.

By today’s standard, the term “multiculturalism” refers to allowing immigrants to come into America and live, yet not participate, thus dividing the people of America. Diversity (heritage, rituals, language, beliefs) of different cultures is valuable, but when immigrants come into America to live, they should be expected to be a participant of our culture by learning our language, getting educated, supporting themselves, pay taxes and most of all have pride the American culture, which is ever changing to fit the needs of the people as a “whole.”

“Immigrants are assimilating into an ethos that exalts and perpetuates tribalism rather than one that promotes a common national identity” (Mark Krikorian, Freedom Review, Fall 1997).America is being weakened as a nation for many reasons; costing states the funding to support the needs of immigrants who refuse and/or fail to be a part of American culture, supporting immigrant children in schools when there are already so many budget cuts, and causing division of people within a community. America needs to promote a common national identity as Mark Krikorian states.