Multiculturalism: A personal state of being
Multiculturalism has been defined as the belief in supporting integration: advocating or encouraging the integration of people of different countries, ethnic groups, and religions into all areas of society. It has also been described as a policy, ideal, or reality that emphasizes the unique characteristics of different cultures in the world, especially as they relate to one another in immigrant receiving nations. To me, multiculturalism is more personal and encompasses a broader range of ideals. I believe that multiculturalism involves the acknowledgement and overcoming of personal biases, appreciating cultures that differ from our own, immersing ourselves in other cultures to affect deeper understanding, and the ability to interact with all cultures without prejudice or stereotyping. Multiculturalism is the key to future global success and the survival of mankind.
As children, our parents and the environment in which we are educated provide our only means of enculturation. In these formative years personal prejudices and biases are instilled. For instance, my parents taught me that “colored people live and belong on the south side of the tracks”. I did not really know what that meant, but I understood them to mean that blacks did not belong in the same place that I did. As I grew older and became more educated about African American history, I questioned my parent’s use of the word “colored” and their antiquated beliefs. They were unable to overcome the legacy of their upbringing and the ideas heaped upon them by their predecessors. When I married and had children, we moved to San Diego in large part to distance ourselves and our children from our parent’s pervasive prejudices. Parents must teach their children to embrace and appreciate people of all races, religions, and cultures. Additionally, isolated personal experiences should not dictate generalizations about people from other cultures. The other day, I was...