Multiculturalism derives from liberal principles of: equality, freedom, and toleration of differences.
We are supposed to accept every cultural practice respectfully. This idea is hard to follow when it is an issue of moral standards. Our group discussed honor killings as an example of cultural differences that are punishable by our government. Honor killings, in some middle eastern practices, would result in first degree murder in America. The idea of multiculturalism is nice, however, social policies need to be put in place for safety of minorities and children.
Our group also discussed the old military culture/policy of "Don't ask, don't tell." There were gruesome violent acts against homosexuals that made the military suppress the gay armed forces community. Now, because our government is making homosexuality more acceptable, they discontinued the policy. They are allowed to freely serve while no longer hiding their true identities.
It is beautiful to accept cultures but when do we determine if someone freely chose their cultural identity. There has been a show called Breaking Amish. Young adults of the Amish community choose to break free and experience "English" living. They move to New York with a small allowance, and they share their experiences. This is a prime example of choosing ones own culture against the will of their community. In these cases, many of them were not allowed back home. We are not born predetermined to follow any particular culture or religion. It is what we are taught we should do or be by others who share those set of beliefs.
There is no exact age to decide when we are available to make a decision of what culture we choose to identify with. It is in every ones best interest to expose themselves, and hopefully learn and accept the many differences of mankind.
What about those who were raised a certain way and go to a different culture and decide that actually prefer it from the on they grew up in, but it was frowned upon in other cultures.
ReplyDeleteMatt, can you give an example?
ReplyDeleteI think people should have the opportunity to make their own choice; and I agree with Phillips in that if people disagree (in thinking that the choices people make don't allow them to have true freedom)that they must be allowed that choice. I think we risk cultural genocide if we do not give others that trust. The heartbreaking examples are difficult to get around though...