Introduction and Background
As the countries try to address social cohesion issues within their states, they have considered multiculturalism as on the way of ensuring that the minority groups are accommodated. Therefore the Canadian policy centered on multiculturalism with its metaphor being mosaic as the United States Metaphor remains to be the Melting Pot (Galway & Dibbon, 2012). However, both the United States and Canada are developed economically, with abundant democracies of main European stock though having numerous and diverse minorities. It is evident that the United States believe in assimilation while since the 1960s the melting pot has diminished though, through the influential reevaluation of the sensation, it still occurs in the United States. (Galway & Dibbon, 2012) The adoption and encouragement of multiculturalism have strengthened and increased since the 9/11 incidence in the United States. Canada, on the other hand, believe the day to day treatment of the minorities varies from those of Americans treatment of minority cultural groups. It is perceived that the manner in which the minority cultural groups fit into the community is very different between that of Canada and the United States (Kim, 2009). Therefore, resulting in the difference in the United States and Canada policy on multiculturalism towards the integration of ethnic minorities into the society. Therefore this paper will discuss the difference between the United States and Canada policies on multiculturalism.
Summary of Sources Researched
According to Kim (2009), multiculturalism is a merriment of diverse culture in different countries. Its traits are available in other countries such as the United States. Multiculturalism can also be a national ideology and/or a state policy. The melting pot theory as conceptualized by sociologists seeks to cast multiculturalism as an ideology whose pursuit led to the integration of different cultures especially in the US to come up with one distinct American culture. While it may be true in some cases, most nations are yet to reach the level that an ideal melting pot experience will look like. On the other hand, multiculturalism as a state policy is a relatively new phenomenon where the state seeks to introduce standard measures describing expectations of the country’s inhabitants as far as different cultural groups’ treatment is concerned (Kim, 2009). The former is unique to Canada. Perhaps realizing that people can only willingly accept and accommodate other’s beliefs willingly, Canadian policymakers have not been largely influenced by the melting pot ideal picture, rather issues like immigration and peaceful coexistence between immigrants and natives have been pursued (Kim, 2009). Canada is known to be the first country in the world which official recognized multiculturalism as an important government policy.
The passage of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom Act of 1982 paved way for the enactment of the Multiculturalism Act (Laus, 2014). The Act was charged with the responsibility of protecting the cultural diversity of the nation of Canada. It was proclaimed in 1988 effectively making Canada the first nation in the world that made multiculturalism a national policy (Joshee, 2009). The concept of multiculturalism came into wide circulation in the 1970s when the Canadian government sought to craft policies aimed at managing ethnic pluralism and their unintended consequences brought about by increased immigration. In Canada, multiculturalism is perceived as a liberal idea promoting tolerance, comprehensiveness as well as immigrants’ equity with different ethnicity (Galway & Dibbon, 2012). Such concepts of social inclusiveness are well conveyed to the citizens as the society entirely know the expectations of the government from them though most significantly the realization of human aspects of vital incorporation within diverse people.
Explanatory Analysis of Multiculturalism in Canada and the United States
According to the Canadian policy, it fully supports multiculturalism as this policy was implemented aiming at the promotion of cultural diversity as well as give cultural groups the freedom of preserving and developing their cultures in their Canadian society (Joshee, 2009). The policy advocated for the support of multiculturalism in various ways which include: cultural groups to be assisted in order to facilitate their development as well as growth, to promote creative exchanges among cultural groups that would enhance overcoming limitations to whole participation in the society, to promote creative trade among cultural groups and as well help the immigrants to learn English or French (Joshee, 2009). Regardless of the formal endorsement of multiculturalism, multilingualism was not supported and the multiculturalism is pursued under a bilingual framework or English and French.
For the United States, it lacks the affirmation of multiculturalism even though community tensions are proven to be emerging from race, ethnic originality and color differences. Instead, it is devoted to assisting in the prevention and resolving of ethnic tensions (Kim, 2009). Even though multiculturalism is partially adopted in the school curriculum, they tend to be weak and they lack federal guidelines, mandate, policy and general support (Laus, 2014). Ethnic inclusivity is partially provided in public media. Support is partially provided to public broadcasters. The United States ethnic group initiatives lack funding and support in their activities to enhance their growth and development. Most of the states do not allow bilingual education or even mother-tongue instruction as they have English-only laws (Laus, 2014). However, they do have affirmative action toward the disadvantaged ethnic groups.
Summary of Findings
Accepting cultural differences in a multi-cultural society the inclusivity of options into curriculum history results in the United States’ society lacking unity. Due to fascination in foreign countries, people can forget about their indigenous culture. There are several cases when somebody had to abandon his culture and traditions as a result of influence from a foreign culture with different cultural practices. Due to this, there should be limits put in the extent to which different not cultures should be allowed in multicultural societies. It is however scary as people cannot neglect their native language, culture or history. There should always be some responsible for remembering and transferring it to the next generation. With the rate at which multiculturalism is impacting on natives, strategies and policies need to be laid so as to deal with this imminent menace in the near future (Laus, 2014). For instance, there is a growth of the Muslim population in Europe. When people in Europe mostly have one child, they probably could have around eight or thereabouts. This implies that in some time entire Europe will be ruled with by the Muslims, an imminent danger. The nation, being a very raw religion needs to be proud of its civilization and Catholic religion (Galway & Dibbon, 2012). Promoting diverse cultures within a multicultural society is advantageous too.
Currently, the world has become developed as people attempted to discover every place on earth through difficult conditions. These efforts give an explanation of cultures interdepend on one another. Therefore, encouragement of different cultures benefits the people as they depend and help one another.
Canadians accepting cultural differences in a multi-cultural society among other ethnic groups are enhanced through cultural diversity. A major example is the cooking industry where cooks are always interested in searching for extraordinary flavors. This is achieved through consulting or borrowing from other cultures. This further improves the industry and provides variety to people within the respective societies. Studying other cultures wonderfully influences our minds (Laus, 2014). When people learn about different cultures, they focus more and practice their memory. For instance, learning a new language enriches people’s knowledge
Conclusion
In essence, the multiculturalism policies of Canada and the United States differ. For the Canadian policy, it is pursued under a bilingual framework of English and French while for the United States the policy is pursued under a single language, English which every cultural group had to learn to communicate in. Multiculturalism is greatly supported in Canada while in the United States it is partially supported and also varies per states. It is evident that the United States mostly focus on preventing tensions within the society, unlike the Canadian policy which focuses on how to fit the cultural minorities within the society efficiently and in a harmonious way. With regards to this, it is therefore evident that multiculturalism policies are important since they help fit the minority groups to the society efficiently thus avoiding cultural tensions and creates a happy society free from conflicts. Therefore it would be appropriate for the United States to adopt the multiculturalism policy in all its states.