multiculturalism
Diversity in society
Multiculturalism is the view that different cultures can and should coexist within a single society, each maintaining its distinct identity rather than assimilating into a dominant culture.
The term describes both a social reality and a political stance: Canada embraces multiculturalism as official policy.
Critics use it dismissively to suggest naive tolerance or cultural fragmentation: Multiculturalism has failed.
The adjective is multicultural: a multicultural neighborhood.
Spoken exchange between parties
- world-musicNon-Western musical traditions
- transnationalCrossing country lines
- globalizationWorldwide economic and cultural integration
- cosmopolitanCulturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
Willingness to accept difference
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- belongingState of fitting in
- respectRegard with honor
- equalitySame status for all
equity · open-mindedness · solidarity · coexistence · non-discrimination · recognition · appreciation · welcoming
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- varietyState of being diverse
kaleidoscope · patchwork · multiplicity · polyphony · richness
Scattered population sharing origins
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- ChinatownAsian immigrant neighborhood
- barrioHispanic urban district
- TorontoOntario's capital city
Absorbing into a whole
- melting-potFusion of diverse cultures
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- intermarriageWedding between different groups
mainstreaming · incorporation · coexistence · harmonization · convergence · syncretism · hybridity · blending
Division into hostile units
- separatismAdvocacy for political breakaway
- ghettoizationForced residential segregation
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
Mandated numerical limits
- representationDepiction or likeness
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- charterFounding organizational document
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
funding · institutional · governmental · recognition · accommodation
dialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
- world-musicNon-Western musical traditions
- transnationalCrossing country lines
- globalizationWorldwide economic and cultural integration
tolerance
Willingness to accept difference
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- belongingState of fitting in
- respectRegard with honor
equality · equity · open-mindedness · solidarity · coexistence · non-discrimination · recognition · appreciation · welcoming · hospitality
mosaic
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
variety · kaleidoscope · patchwork · multiplicity · polyphony · richness
diaspora
Scattered population sharing origins
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- ChinatownAsian immigrant neighborhood
- barrioHispanic urban district
assimilation
Absorbing into a whole
- melting-potFusion of diverse cultures
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
intermarriage · mainstreaming · incorporation · coexistence · harmonization · convergence · syncretism · hybridity · blending · bicultural
balkanization
Division into hostile units
- separatismAdvocacy for political breakaway
- ghettoizationForced residential segregation
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
quotas
Mandated numerical limits
- representationDepiction or likeness
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- charterFounding organizational document
mandate · funding · institutional · governmental · recognition · accommodation
- Canadian HistoryConfederation, Rupert's Land, colonial era, colonial government, self-government
- CanadianaCanadian, Canadian flag, maple syrup, maple leaf, beaver
- cultural mixingfusion, hybridity, syncretism, creolization, biculturalism
- Canadian Constitutionconstitutional amendment, 1867, 1982, division of powers, federal powers
- culturemusic taste, beliefs, food preferences, custom, festivals
- NetherlandsAmsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, tulips
multiculturalismassimilation
Absorbing into a whole
cultural assimilation · melting pot · forced assimilation · integration · Americanization
multiculturalismethnonationalism
Politics privileging ethnic identity
nationalism · nativism · white nationalism · ethnic nationalism · cultural nationalism
multiculturalismxenophobia
Hatred of outsiders
ethnocentrism · nativism · segregation · racism · homogeneity
- multiculturalism policyOfficial promotion of ethnic diversity