Defining what multiculturalism is can be fraught with some difficulties as there many aspects to this ideology as well as a myriad of views and concerning it. Even the advocates of this policy talk of the different concepts of multiculturalism and admit to difficulties in defining ‘multiculturalism’. This is mean that we all have needs and desires, we have likes and dislikes. We are different but there is nothing wrong or threatening in that difference. We are all seeking a better life for ourselves and future generations and there is no place for an “us and then” mentality in our society, today or in the future.
Australia migration, this is one of the challenges in multiculturalism that our country facing today. In fact, the matter has been quite a controversy topic in the last few months. However, there is actually more to it than simply numbers and cuts. Nevertheless, many still believe that multiculturalism is and will always be a part of Australian Identity. As it is, aside from bringing more people into Australia, migration also has other significant effects to the land down under. One of these is the many changes that the Australian culture has undergone because of the different people that are arriving in the country yearly. And this multiculturalism has become a significant part of Australia’s national identity, being known as one of the countries with most diverse heritages. On the other hand, the country’s growths in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have attracted a lot of people from other nations to move into Australia. Many of these people brought along their own cultural heritages with them and contributed greatly to Australia’s own and with the growth of migration continuing well into present many expects that this trend will likely continue for a long time. Another interesting effect that immigration and multiculturalism has on Australia is that it helps in developing the country’s relation with other nations. As many of the immigrants that are arriving here have strong ties with their home countries, their presence here contributes a lot to fostering the development of healthy relations between Australia and their native lands. This is one of the biggest reasons why a lot of groups have continuously encouraged travel to the country. However, Australia is often considered as prime example of multiculturalism at work, it is actually far from being ideal. Multiculturalism also has a negative effect, in that it erodes Australia’s own unique culture. Though this one is yet to be shown, they are worried that this will lead to a loss of identity for Australians.
Multiculturalism may be seen as the modern expression of those political principles that allow for both majority rule, and respect for the rights of minorities. These two may be seen as the counterweights that keep multicultural acrobatics on the balance beam. In closing, I would like to make the following four recommendations in designing for ourselves a multicultural identity: First, our multiculturalism should not be limited to strictly human perspectives, but include the lessons one may learn from imagining the “ perspective of all the possible non-human “others” Second, avoid consciously or subconsciously working within assumptions that are ethnocentric even if camouflaged as “multicultural” , Third , recognize the ability of human beings to learn about join or even convert to other cultures all of which are not only allowed in a multicultural society , but should be legally protected; and finally when discussing culture, allow the chips of evidence fall where may under conditions of careful empirical research even if the results may shatter a popular or well- liked belief.
