Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
UniversityDiversity
of Salford (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
School of Languages
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism)English
in Britain Diversity
301 Writing (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Assignment
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in(Multiculturalism)
Britain Diversityin(Multiculturalism)
Britain in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in BritainbyDiversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Mrs. EmtinanDiversity
Britain S. Alqurashi(Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Assignment
Diversity (Multiculturalism) submittedDiversity
in Britain in partial fulfilment of
(Multiculturalism) in Britain
requirements of the
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
(Arabic/English Translation and Interpreting)
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) Supervised
in BritainbyDiversity
Linda Altshul(Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Date of submission:
Diversity (Multiculturalism) 12 JAN 2009
in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Introduction
Nowadays, diversity in the context of multiculturalism is a present-day phenomenon in
Britain particularly and United Kingdom (UK) in general. Multiculturalism can be defined
as “a variety of many different cultural/ethnic groups live together within the same
society”. It has a direct impact on almost all relations among people in UK. The last
decades has seen a sharp increase in the variety of cultures which makes UK at the
forefront of diversity with its very multi racial, cultural and religious communities.
However, determining whether being a multicultural society has more advantages or
disadvantages will have two sides of the argument in this essay which needs to be
weighed.
The recognition of tourists in some cities in UK such as London, Birmingham and
Bradford is often impossible, because they are so diverse and called cosmopolitans. For
instance, London is now more diverse than any city that has ever existed and the
diversity of different cultures within London is so great that basic definition of diversity
is impossible. This city has residence over 300 nationalities, and more than 300
languages are spoken by the people of London from different cultural backgrounds.
These multicultural backgrounds have over time moulded and shaped London’s culture
to what it is today. In addition, the city of London has at least 50 non-indigenous
communities with populations of 10,000 or more. Virtually every race, nation, culture
and religion in the world can claim at least a handful of Londoners. London’s Muslim
population of 607,083 people are probably the most diverse anywhere in the world.
Only 59.8% of Londoners consider themselves to be British born, while the rest
consider themselves to be of other countries born. However, not only London that is
now considered as multicultural city. Bradford and Brighton are also considered among2
the most cosmopolitan cities.
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
The food market in UK illustrates the real life issues of diversity where the freedom of
choice, curiosity and inclusiveness are more obvious than segregation. The variety of
food in UK supermarkets can be recognized, available and displayed in all corners of
supermarkets from different countries such as Indian cuisines, American super grills,
halal and kosher food.
In UK society, people respect the culture of each other since there is no an official
culture that every person must be a part of. In general, a multicultural society is formed
when people from many different countries migrate to one place. In brief, UK is a
multicultural nation of around 60 million people from different cultural backgrounds.
Advantages of Multiculturalism
Different cultures have been influenced in many aspects of life. These aspects are our
clothes, daily routine, music, food, art, sport and poetry. These aspects have been
mixed with UK knowledge of different cultural features. Through multiculturalism, UK
has had the opportunity to learn about many different things. It has benefited from
different cultures in term of economically, finically and culturally in many ways.
Therefore, living in such a society makes people more tolerant of each other, even if
they are from different backgrounds.
Moreover, multiculturalism teaches the citizens to value diversity and differences,
helping to integrate diverse cultures into the larger society without taking them off from
their past. It also helps to reinforce the polity because citizens are willing to make
sacrifices for those with whom they share a common project. In addition, mixture of
ideas can lead to innovative solutions to problems particularly in work environments and
learning in educational environments.
According to Leo Kuper, “multiculturalism is perfectly in keeping with liberal 3
democracies which are, of themselves, pluralistic”.
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Disadvantages of Multiculturalism
The moral and social claims of multiculturalism could have serious issues when an
identity must be defined by certain community or religion. Giving prompt priority to
inherited religion or tradition over reflection and choice, and overlooking all the other
affiliations a person has.
According to Sacks “Multiculturalism has led not to integration but to segregation”.
Diversity of people, beliefs, and religious isolate people from each other and make them
separated to avoid any clashes that might occur because of the verity of their
perspectives.
Apparently, diversity has negative effects, it is proportional to less voting,
volunteering, charity supporting, working on community projects, trusting of one's
neighbours, and civic well-being. But the question how much less? In the most
diverse communities, neighbours trust one another about half as much as they do
in the most homogenous settings. Although we might expect trust to lessen
between different groups, Putnam found that trust lessened even among members
of the same group.
Diversity could have impact on creativity and learning. However, it creates friction and
distrust. According to the post Multiculturalism and Prejudice, promoting multiculturalism
has a side effect of increasing prejudice for some people. Somehow, while maintaining
respect for all cultures, the schools, and the communities need to emphasize and teach
what people have in common instead of their differences.
Moreover, multiculturalism is a strategy for managing intercultural relations and it does
not offer ethnic groups any real political authority. Nevertheless, there are very few good
jobs or political careers for people with ethnic backgrounds. For migrant groups, it
4
provides a symbolic resource, belonging, and the removal of barriers to participation.
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
For the general community, it provides cultural and linguistic diversity, and national
identity.
Professor Sir Bernard Crick, (Chair of the 'Life in the UK') said:
“I see no incompatibility between multiculturalism and Britishness.
Britishness must be part of multiculturalism. For a long time the UK has
been a multicultural state composed of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland
and Wales, and also a multicultural society... made up of a diverse range of
cultures and identities, and one that emphasises the need for a continuous
process of mutual engagement and learning about each other with respect,
understanding and tolerance".
And he further said:
“But Britishness does not mean a single culture. Integration is the co-
existence of communities and unimpeded movement between them, it is not
assimilation. Britishness is a strong concept but not all embracing”.
Results of a questionnaire
Based on the survey on the subject “diversity (multiculturalism) in Britain” which was
conducted among different group of citizen, I found that nearly %50 of them agree that
diversity has a direct impact on British culture and %85 said that multiculturalism is
adding new culture to Britain. However, %92 did not agree that the government should
standardize the culture of Britain and %78 perceive that Britain with diversity is better.
Moreover, they did not take any side of agreement of the question “Is diversity
connected with violent activity in Britain?”
5
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
Conclusion
Despite the fact that multiculturalism has positive and negative impact, it can be so
destructive if there is no thread to hold society together. In addition, the rejection of
multiculturalism might leads to isolationism among the society. However, it is not just
British, since diversity is one of Britain's strengths. It is globally valued, as evidenced by
international human rights conventions.
In fact, multiculturalism is sometimes taken to mean that no culture is perfect or
represents the best life and it can therefore benefits from a critical dialogue with other
cultures. Moreover, different cultural communities should live their own ways of life in a
self-contained manner.
To sum up, cultural identity in general requires that all individuals belong to a group and
not hold cosmopolitan and amorphous identities. They should have more understanding
in developing human behaviour towards the multiculturalism. In addition, it is required
that all cultures should be open, self-critical, and interactive in their relations with each
other. According to my survey, %78 of the people who were participated agreed that
diversity will continue and encourage the existing of diversity in British society.
6
Diversity (Multiculturalism) in Britain
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