Published Edit
This is a graded discussion: 5 points possible due Mar 16 at 4:30pm
Week 8 Discussion: Multiculturalism & Cultural Identity Feb 25 at 11:40am 5 19 Halimat
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Online Discussion - Multiculturalism = 5 %
Explore the two dominant models for North American multiculturalism: the "melting pot" and the "cultural mosaic". Which of these two models is the most accurate social model to reflect contemporary Canadian society? Which of these models is the most desirable? Is there another model that might better represent your ideals?
As a group develop your position with arguments based on references, concrete examples, and your own personal experiences. Look at articles, videos and online sources.
Keywords: multiculturalism, immigration, Other, assimilation, appropriation, influence, cultural exchange, identity, diversity, heritage, myth, nationalism
Taking Part in Research Study Instructions
A team of researchers from SFU will follow your discussions in this course as part of their ongoing research. There is no monetary payment for your participation in this study. However, if you fill in all questionnaires and give us access to your data in Canvas, you will be given a bonus of 3% (half a grade!) towards your final grade in this course.
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Discussion Guidelines
1. You will be assigned to a team of 4-6 students within your lab. 2. You will read the texts, then answer and discuss the discussion question. 3. The discussion will close on Wednesday March 9th. 4. One of your team members will be assigned the wrapper (leader) role. This means that she/he will summarize the posts of all of the team members and post a conclusion. 5. Another team member will be assigned the presenter role. The presenter will present the team’s conclusion in lab on March 11th.
Requirements and Marking
Each student is expected to post a minimum of 4 posts.
1 post within the first two 2 days after the discussion is opened 2 post minimum after the discussion is open 1 final message for each question by the team member assigned the wrapper role Total Individual Messages: 4 minimum Total team Messages: 1 minimum
For the expected quality of messages see the rubric below:
Discussion activity worth 5% of the course mark. The 5% comprises of the following components:
50% Content Below average: Message tends to address peripheral issues and/or ramble. Tendency to Based on each individual recite facts and provide opinions. Important post and calculated for the concepts not discussed. No use of key concepts whole team as discussed in reading.
Average: messages tend to provide good general contributions, but may not always directly address discussion topics. Assertions are not always supported by evidence. Avoids unsupported opinions. Relevant concepts included into the discussion and connected well.
Above average: messages are characterized by conciseness, clarity of argument, depth of insight into theoretical issues and working with relevant concepts, originality of treatment, relevancy, and sometimes include unusual insights. Provides clear evidence to back up arguments. 30% Collaboration Engaging in the dialogue with others’ ideas presented in the posts. 10% Tone & Mechanics Conducting you appropriately in a professional relationship. The messages are carefully formulated with minimum of spelling and grammatical errors. 10% Quality of arguments Based on the wrapper role and presentation in the final response (and role. presentation).
Quantity The above criteria that accounts for the 100% will be scaled down based on the number of individual messages posted.
4+ posts = Full marks based on the above (5%)
3 post = 4%
2 posts = 3%
1 post= 2%
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Reply
Zhanna
Mar 4, 2016
While the contemporary society of the USA reflects the social model of the «melting pot», then Canadian society is an illustration of the «cultural mosaic», which is more desirable. The latter social model implies an attempt to preserve cultural characteristics, values, and practices of each country while keeping them all together on the same geographical area. As a multicultural country, Canadian society is composed of immigrant from all over the world who bring their own traditions and languages, and try to inject them into Canadian culture. Unlike the US' «melting pot», in which assimilation is a common practice and immigrants are expected to adopt customs of the dominant culture, Canada accepts heritage of minority cultures and encourages cultural exchange. This is evident in how English language is combined with Spanish, for example, in the diversity of celebrations, which involve Irish, Greek, and Chinese parades, and in the establishment of Ukrainian diaspora in rural areas of Western Canada.
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Shirley
Mar 12, 2016
Hello Zhanna,
I have the same perspective as you, and I highly agree with you that US is a representation of the "melting pot" social model because they are the dominant culture, in which many residents have to adopt to. On the other hand, Canada is much more open where residents can bring their own traditions together. Canada in this case, also encourges such events because they acknowledge and values tradition. And thereofre, Canada has established a multicultural society, in which residents feels welcomed and freedom. Just like what you have mentioned the English language consist Spanish, Irish, Greek, and Chinese parades, this is why Canada in our perspective is a representation of "cultural mosaic" society.
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Kyle
Mar 16, 2016
I run with the same perspective as well and to find some academic articles to help back up our views I researched into this attached article regarding the demographics and multicultural mosaic at Lethbridge College in Alberta. The author relates the geography of Alberta in the rolling mountains and prairies to what the type of demographic may be perceived as. The author quotes that the demographic of the college may reflect "a fairly homogenous student population" as opposed to what it actually is containing students from Native Canadian backgrounds, Kenyan backgrounds and Asian backgrounds amongst many others and implications of services and extra curriculars that play to each cultures' roots. I would definitely give the article a read as it promotes a prime example of where Canada may fall into a melting pot mindset but once again proves that Canada holds true to its multicultural mosaic standpoint.
http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=43348771&site=ehost-live (http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login? url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=43348771&site=ehost-live)
EDWARDS, T. (2009). Diversity on the Prairie: A College Cultural Mosaic. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, 26(11), 18.
Reply
Edmond
Mar 16, 2016
Hi Kyle,
Having lived in Alberta, this is most certainly the case. Growing up in Edmonton it was definitely more of a melting pot/assimilation environment. Carrying my point from my previous post, it shows the differences in attitudes from within Canada itself. The article describes the demographics of college in Alberta as being "fairly homogeneous". I have not looked out any studies for this regarding Vancouver. However, I am certain that if the same study was conducted in SFU or UBC, I am certain that the results may point towards a more cultural mosaic environment.
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Clinton
Mar 16, 2016
Being a melting pot or a mosaic depends on how zoomed in you want to look at Canada. From a far we look like a mosaic but when you zoom into each province, city or even community we start to see more and more signs of the melting pot. I find that it is often true that we are accepting of many different cultures from afar but once they get too close we tend to assimilate them instead.
Reply
Shirley
Mar 12, 2016
The "cultural mosiac" would be the most accurate social model to reflect contemporary Canadian society in a way that people from different ethinc groups are adapting in one society. Canada is a widely diversed society, in which people from different cultures share their traditions, beliefs and languages. Thus, the "melting point" model will not be a desirable social model for Canada because instead of adapting ot the Canadian culture, people can still keep their own cultural backgrounds while living in Canada. This can be seen in social activities, such as cultural festivals and acknowledging aboriginal heritage by presenting them in museums and galleries. Also Canada is a society that welcomes newcomers (immigrants) from different part of the world, so the number of ethnic groups is constantly increasing; and this is also evident in the welcoming of Seria refugees. And therefore, I believe the Canadian society is a good representation of the "cultural mosaic" model.
Reply
Zhanna
Mar 13, 2016
Hi Shirley, Good that you mentioned Aboriginal people, I forgot. While Canadian modern society reflects the model of «cultural mosaic» regarding the majority of ethnicities and nations, which include Korean, Indian, Chinese, and so on, I think that Canada does not demonstrate equally fair treatment towards Indigenous culture. Although there are historical museums ant art galleries that exhibit traditions and practices of Aboriginal people, these museums do not really illustrates the contemporary identity of the Aboriginals and focus more on what was used to be their lifestyle in the past. Besides, as a racial minority, Aboriginal people live in poorer socio-economic conditions than non-Aboriginal Canadians, which implies that the latter show dominancy and racial superiority.
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Lenny
Mar 16, 2016
Stemming from what Zhanna said about how Canadian society’s unequal treatment affects the Aboriginal people, she makes an interesting comment on how the contemporary identity of the Aboriginal folk is not represented, instead, historical artefacts and customs are focused upon. As a cultural mosaic, we do give autonomy to communities and tend to provide them with their own space for cultural cultivation. However, comparing the museums that exhibit traditional Aboriginal practices and how society celebrates contemporary Aboriginal identity with, for instance, Vancouver’s Chinese Heritage museums and annual parades. What would account for celebrating the contemporary Chinese identity? I believe it has more to do with Canada’s colonizing past which subjected the Aboriginal population to adopt and assimilate to Western culture. Now their contemporary identity is a struggle between fighting against their past and embodying the Aboriginal identity before colonization versus accepting the past and building an identity that embraces the colonization and moves forward with the experiences.
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Edmond
Mar 16, 2016
I suppose looking at the aboriginal demographic really illustrates progress Canada has made. At the time of colonization, multiculturalism was not really a thing, and it was pure assimilation, becoming colonized, and civilized by the west. A method identical to that used in the states. Canada has long since moved away from that model, and seemingly moved towards the more cultural mosaic model we experience today. In terms of lifestyle and cultural identity, it would seem most of the aboriginal population have become westernized and assimilated into what is considered Canadian culture. For them trying to live a culturally mosaic lifestyle may be problematic, as the culture has been slowly washed away from the former years of assimilation and cultural destruction.
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Clinton
Mar 16, 2016
I agree that Aboriginal people are still treated unfairly in our culture. My paper for this class was on the Squamish People and I found that they identify themselves through their heritage. So having museums dedicated to their history helps us understand their modern identity as well.
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Kyle
Mar 16, 2016
With the topic of Syrian refugees, the promotion of bringing them to Canada can 1. influence the media and population of Canada to think a certain way towards the cultures that enter our country and 2. create unrest amongst the population that may sympathize with a melting pot mentality. Even though Canada is a prime example of what nations should be when it comes to welcoming the citizens of the world, 100% of the population of the country will never agree with the popular opinion or the accepted way of thinking about an issue. In our Week 5 discussion groups I had brought up a video of a news report regarding an attack on Syrian refugees after a social that was held for this. Can this be viewed as someone protesting a melting pot mentality? Are the Syrians not welcome here unless they act 'Canadian' in a way?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv0kXtExe5E (Links to an external site.) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv0kXtExe5E)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv0kXtExe5E)
Reply
Clinton
Mar 16, 2016
I think to be a cultural mosaic the country or city has to make a conscious decision to be one. Around Vancouver you can often see deliberate multicultural advertising and city promoted events that showcase our diversity. Looking at the Culture & Recreation page on http://surrey.ca/3464.aspx (http://surrey.ca/3464.aspx) you can see many different races featured. This was likely a deliberate decision to showcase our multiculturalism.
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Kyle
Mar 16, 2016
Canada can hold a mosaic perspective as it is mentioned in lights of different cultures being able to showcase themselves. Taking a simple walk through Vancouver you can see many examples of traditional food and exhibitions (from various Asian food spots to Aboriginal showcases from the city's origins) that do not conform to the western ideals or customs. The melting pot perspective can be applied to Canada's North American neighbour in the United States as many implications of American media are very America-centric. With the proliferation of American media reaching Europe and farther to Asia the American attitude applies to many of the cultures that cross through its borders and the assimilation to American ideals is very apparent. A current (however horrifying) example of America's melting pot ideals manifest in the potential Republican party candidate Donald Trump as he wants to "make America great again" which means assimilating to his ideals of what America would be and creating a far more racist and prejudice melting pot.
Reply Lenny
Mar 16, 2016
Similarly to what Kyle mentioned with Trump’s potential reign of racism and discrimination, it is interesting to note that even with the melting pot mentality being so prevalent in United States of America, prejudice still exist. What I mean by that is although assimilation does occur and those of ethnic backgrounds become as Western as Westerners are, this contempt towards these ‘different’ individuals – whether it be physical appearance, religious beliefs – does not disappear. It is observed that regardless of whether a minority, such as an African-American, epitomizes what being American is, a large portion of USA will remain racist and unable to see past skin colour. Thus, USA being a dominant example of the melting pot model may or may not be the best at displaying the quintessential model. The ideal situation would be for all cultures to coexist in the pot peacefully. However, when cultures come together and melt into one big stew consisting of everything culturally-based, the possibility that one culture’s flavour can overpower and diminish the flavour of the rest is high and so conflicting flavours will continuously arise and the stew will never be able satisfy everyone’s palette.
Reply
Clinton
Mar 16, 2016
I really like your analogy of one flavor overpowering the others. Also I think that once everyone is in a melting pot and they are so similar that the minor difference tend to be more visible. So even if two people have adapted to be very similar, their skin color is something that is not going to change and sticks out more because it is the only difference.
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Lenny
Mar 16, 2016
Drawing from what Kyle mentioned about the attack on Syrian refugees, the population will never completely agree on an issue; conflicts will perpetually remain, creating divided opinions between a minority and majority. As mentioned by Zhanna, Kyle and Shirley, Canada best reflects the cultural mosaic model of multiculturalism, but that does not abandon the notion that within this cultural mosaic, certain aspects of the melting pot are present. An instance of this is the struggle around the acceptance of homosexuality. As Canadians, we are open and accepting, and so when an individual expresses homophobic tendencies, they are condemned. Despite an individual’s upbringing and his or her interpretation of a religious text rebuking homosexuality, no matter how minuscule a homophobic gesture may be, such as simply stating a personal prejudice without any malicious intent, this individual will always be negatively perceived by a majority of Canadian society. And I am not trying to say homophobia should be commended, but this phenomenon just illustrates how our cultural mosaic still requires a certain amount of assimilation into this contemporary society.
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Clinton
Mar 16, 2016
That can be said about a number of different issues as well. Let's say that someone believes in the death penalty and thinks a criminal should die and chooses to carry out that punishment. As a society we would do what we could to stop this person from carrying out the punishment even if it is something they truly believe to be justice. Basically what I am trying to say is that we will accept any culture into our mosaic as long as it does not hurt anyone.
Reply
Edmond
Mar 16, 2016
Having lived in different parts of Canada, I feel that different parts of Canada exhibit different multiculturalism models. Especially so for a city like Vancouver. Living in Alberta, the multiculturalism model tended to side towards the 'melting pot' in which new immigrants become assimilated into the dominant western culture. Immigrants would move in and become exposed to the western culture and to a certain extent adopt aspects of the culture. This is a complete contrast to Vancouver where the city appears to have adopted a cultural mosaic attitude. Vancouver appears to be a segregated city, in which each visible minority group appears to occupy and live in a certain part of the city. E.g. Large Chinese population in Richmond (54.6% of total population), and large Indian/South Asian population in Surrey (30.7% of total population). From my own observations and conversations with friends from outside of Vancouver (and myself not being from Vancouver), it appears most Canadian cities have adopted a hybrid model in between the 'melting-pot' model and cultural mosaic model favoring the melting pot model. However, as much as this is the case, the government of Canada seemingly tries to promote the country as having a 'cultural mosaic' attitude.
Edited by Edmond Cheung on Mar 16 at 1:09pm
Reply
Clinton
Mar 16, 2016 I tend to agree with this reasoning. As a whole Vancouver can be seen as a cultural mosaic but the further you zoom in the more it starts to look like a melting pot. We can draw similarities to SFU with this line of thinking. As a whole SFU has students from many different races and backgrounds. I do not have hard data to confirm this but if you zoom into each faculty then you would probably see less diversity and zoom into each degree you would see even less diversity. You could zoom in even further and take a look at each class and even the groups students form. From my observations, groups tend to be more of a melting pot than a mosaic. Students want to work with others like them because it is easier than overcoming cultural differences.
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