IMPACT OF RACISM IN MULTICULTURALISM

IMPACT OF RACISM IN MULTICULTURALISM

Racism is a belief that human capabilities and character traits are inherent of cultures and races. Multiculturalism has a close relationship with racism in the grounds that multiculturalism set-up provides a breeding ground for racism. Many people living in Canada came from different countries and therefore there is an interaction of different cultures which results in multiculturalism. Living in such a diverse culture brings integration of people and characterization of people based on their culture, which is racism. Two authors Neil Bissoondath and Wayson Choy described multiculturalism in two different ways.’ I am a Banana and Proud of it’ by Wayson Choy talks about living in North America while being a Chinese. Choy uses the term “banana,” which is yellow outside but in the inside, it is white(Choy,304). Choy illustrates that although he did not pay too much attention to his Chinese heritage, Chinese culture grew in him as he matured while staying in North America. One critic to Choy argument is Neil Bissoondath the other of “No Place Like Home.” Bissoondath in his work he argues that culture brings about racial divisions in the community,“How seductive is it..Welcome away with stereotypes reinforced”(Bissoondath,76). Bissoondath uses pieces of evidence and his personal experience to illustrate how culture brings racism in a multiculturalism set-up, while Choy uses his personal experience to explain his views about multiculturalism.

Canada is a multiculturalism state where most of its citizens have come from other countries. Bissoondath argues that in a country where people have different backgrounds with different cultural practices just like in the case with Canada then racism has to thrive.  Bissoondath in his book, “No place Like Home” says that “We like to think, in this country, that our multiculturalism mosaic will help nudge us into a greater openness. But multiculturalism as we know it indulges in stereotype, depend on it for a dash of color and the flesh of dance. (Bissoondath,174). Bissoondath argues that in Canadians may be boasting of hosting different people with different cultural origins but this set-up is breeding racism whereby people are characterized depending on their culture. Bissoondath has experience of living with people having different cultures, and his statement is true because obviously multiculturalism breeds racism. On the other hand,” Wayson Choy on his book “I am a Banana and Proud of it” says that American music makes Chinese music sound like noise. (Choy,97). Choy in this statement illustrates that the effect of multiculturalism in the society is breeding social labeling. Choy labels American music being more superior and entertaining than Chinese music. Bissoondath argues that multiculturalism produces racism in the community while Choy views multiculturalism as an aspect which brings social labeling in the society.

Bissoondath also argued that Canadian multiculturalism preserves ethnic minorities and they pretend that this is proper. The author in his book explained that ethics were not applied in a community filled with people of different cultures. He argued that in some extent diversity brings social cohesion a fact which confused most of the Canadian writers who had previously heaped praise on Bissoondath. He said that multiculturalism had done nothing in Canada than just leading an already divided nation. The views of Bissondath on multiculturalism was different against the politicians and the policies of the country. The Canadians boasted of having many cultures in the country, but they did not look at its effects in society. The minister for multiculturalism in Canada criticized Bissoondath of threatening the peace of the country. Bissoondath had a different and strong view on the effects of multiculturalism, and he answered the minister by saying that the minister was encouraging religious and ethnic diversity in the country. Bissoondath argued that the state of the country at the time was not the same as during the past when Canada had national cohesion the reason why he was attracted to migrate to Canada. Therefore, Bissoondath used his experience in Canada to express his views on multiculturalism while Choy had no much experience in Northern America and consequently he only used his feelings to illustrate his perspective on multiculturalism.

In conclusion, it is notable that multiculturalism is celebrated in many countries, but it can cause divisions of people in the society. Multiculturalism set-up breeds racism where people in the community are judged depending on their places of origin and their skin color. Stereotyping is the primary cause of racism among different people with different cultural practices living in the same country. Racism is prevalent in multiculturalism countries including Canada, and various laws have been put in place to fight against racists. In most Western countries racist words and activities are illegal, and people caught supporting racism are entitled jail punishment of not less than fourteen years. Organizations in Canada have raised to the fight and campaign against racism. Racism is prevalent in countries where people with different cultures stay together and therefore the vice should be fought to achieve the pride of multiculturalism.