integration or diversity

[happythoughts 0]

Years ago, there was a lot of discussion about "integration". Yet, most immigrant populations retained some of their cultural traditions through association and practice.

Example - In Tampa, there are a lot of Cuban cultural associations and events. They retain their cultural identity while the individuals successfully into the mainstream of society.

It seems that all the proclamations of diversity seem to promote exclusion as a goal. Coming into the US, but creating separate societies.

This has been tried before, but it usually creates a backlash at some point. The ethnic Chinese in Vietnam, Jews in Europe, and religious groups without number everywhere.

Martin Luther King spoke of integration. Is "diversity" the anti-thesis of that goal ?

[shropshire 0]

IMHO, it doesn't have to be a one way or the other thing...

If it wasn't for the diversity, for example, we wouldn't have chinese, Indian etc.. restaurants, culture (music or art) colourful extensions to our language and we would be oh so much the poorer for it.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Richards 0]

I think you are confusing diversity with multi-culturalism. Ethnic diversity does not conflict with integration, as learning our language and adapting to our way of doing things where neccessary does not change the immigrants ethnicity or religion. The issue of seperate ethnic enclaves comes with what we in Canada call multiculturalism (and it doesn't work), whereby you proclaim that since the nation was made of immigrants we do not have a distinct culture but a mosaic that is ever changing. I personally do not agree with multiculturalism (MC). Granted even with a melting pot approach the predominate culture will change somewhat, but the core values tend to stay. With MC, newcomers have contempt for the pre-existing culture and refuse to become part of it. This leads to ethnic enclaves and eventually balkanization (yes I know..a cliche). As discussed in another forum, diversifying the intake of immigrants instead of having them come in homogeneus ethnic waves will mitigate this effect.

My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within.

[Squeak 17]

People like to maintian their cultural ancestry.
Yanks are a classic at it. you can be 6th generation born and raises in the states and if your name is O'Malley you proclaim yourselves as Irish American, so what the difference

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

People like to maintian their cultural ancestry.
Yanks are a classic at it. you can be 6th generation born and raises in the states and if your name is O'Malley you proclaim yourselves as Irish American, so what the difference

Simple. We respect the heritage but move forward as Americans. We actually do not tolerate any potatoheads who carry their petty ancestral quarrels with them here across the pond. Micks and Limeys are expected to get along.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Squeak 17]

Quote

Quote

People like to maintian their cultural ancestry.
Yanks are a classic at it. you can be 6th generation born and raises in the states and if your name is O'Malley you proclaim yourselves as Irish American, so what the difference

Simple. We respect the heritage but move forward as Americans. .

So why is it so difficult to respect the heritage of those who come from non white nations with non anglo heritages?

Dont get me wrong we have the same issues here in OZ. I live in one of the most racist places i been to.
We also call ourself "multicultural", i think multi racial is a better term, we as a nation do not embrace diversity, as a nation Oz is all about assimliation and intergration.
You should see our appauling "White Austrlaia Policy

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?