We kidded ourselves a while. We said: 'They won't stay, [after some time] they will be gone,' but this isn't reality. And of course, the approach [to build] a multicultural [society] and to live side by side and to enjoy each other ... has failed, utterly failed.(from the Christian Science Monitor)
Merkel is a right-wing Christian, so my political agenda is rather different from hers. But in this, I think that she reveals what is a common problem with the idea of multiculturalism.
The thing is, essentially, that multiclturalism is an ideal that expresses a value system; it expresses tolerance and respect for others. Make no mistake: I am completely in favor of tolerance and respect. But there is a limit. And this, ultimately, is the problem with multiculturalism. The problem with multiculturalism is a practical one.
The problem is that, in order to work, multiculturalism must cultivate a unified culture of values in which multiculturalism itself is held to be important. In order for multiculturalism to work, everybody must believe in multiculturalism.
What happens when there is a group that does not believe in multiculturalism? That group acts to create barriers to multiculturalism. And if there is a group that hates another group? That may lead to various kinds of violence. And that leads to various kinds of legislation that may violate or discriminate against one particular culture. Consider for example laws against hate crimes: these laws can be seen as discriminating against people with certain beliefs. Consider what it means to be Muslim or Christian in some of the fundamentalist forms, where those who are outside the religion are damned and should be treated in ways that modern secular legal systems would not allow.
Or consider what it means to be part of a secular government where many elected officials are followers of a religious faith, and that shapes all that they desire to do or are willing to do?
Practically speaking, in order to have multiculturalism working, one needs everybody to agree to the basic tenets of multiculturalism--but that is forcing a sort of monoculture--at least with respect to certain values.
For my part, I go with what John Lennon said: "love is the answer, and you know that, for sure." But to realize that, it makes certain ways of looking at the world repugnant. I want to respect everybody; I want to let everybody have their own beliefs. But if I want to live in a world where everybody does that, then something needs to be done about all the people who don't.
It's a practical problem: in order for a culture to practice tolerance, it needs to be intolerant of intolerance.
For me, I think that the answer, ultimately, is one where some value systems are acceptable, and some are not.
Wouldn't it be great if people were motivated by love and respect rather than by hate? Wouldn't it be great if everybody agreed with me about that?
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