Cultural pluralism is a term used when smaller groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities, and their values and practices are accepted by the wider culture provided they are consistent with the laws and values of the wider society. Over the years, Canada has become more and more open to the idea of a culturally plural nation, in turn making our sense of civic nation stronger than ever before. Throughout the country’s history, the accommodation of regional, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity has been a priority, and values such as freedom, democracy and human rights have been addressed through an ongoing dialogue among different cultures and communities.
Cultural Pluralism – A condition in which minority groups participate fully in the dominant society, yet maintain their own cultural differences.
Firstly, although similar, pluralism is not multiculturalism. Both of them are accepted by the larger culture, but the difference is, they are accepted in different ways. Where in cultural pluralism, the larger culture accepts the smaller cultures who maintain their unique cultural identities that are then accepted peacefully. In multiculturalism, the smaller culture is accepted by the larger culture in a way that the majority only respects the smaller culture, not adopting it as a part of their culture. Pluralism allows for many different groupings but, unlike multiculturalism, does not try to impose one uniform status on all of them.
Multiculturalism – The preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a unified society, as a state or nation.
Salad Bowls? Melting Pots?
These are some different theories that try to explain how immigrants or absorbed into North American society. The “salad bowl” concept suggest that the integration of the many different cultures combine -like a salad- as opposed to the more traditional notion of a cultural “melting pot”: a metaphor for a heterogeneous society but coming more homogeneous. In Canada this concept is more commonly known as the “cultural mosaic.” In the “cultural mosaic,”cultures are put together, like salad ingredients, but do not merge into a single homogeneous culture. Each culture keeps its own distinct qualities. This idea has become more politically correct due to the controversy of the “melting pot” suggesting that cultures won’t be able to preserve their themselves as a result of assimilation.
Cultural pluralism in Canada can be represented by sets of policies oriented to the achievement of two goals: one, the survival of ethnic cultural groups and their practices (multiculturalism): two, the guaranteeing of full equality of opportunity (non-discrimination) for all citizens regardless of cultural background in Canadian economic, social and political life. Both of these goals reflect the third stage in the evolution of government policy regarding minority groups in liberal democracies. The three stages of this evolution are; government repression of minorities, tolerance or neutrality towards minorities and then lastly, active government support for these minorities.
Throughout History…
In a way, Canada has always been a pluralistic society. Many different cultural and linguistic Aboriginal groups had initially inhabited the country, the European settlers arrival had only added to this diversity.
From the beginning, it has been difficult to define Canada based on its homogeneity or a national identity, since diversity is what truly defines being Canadian.
Today, Canada has the highest immigration rate in the world and counts over 200 ethnocultural communities.
Most immigrants came to Canada after the Second World War, as restrictions against certain immigrants were lifted after more than two decades of exclusion. As for Asians, when they first began arriving in the 19th century through much of the first half of the 20th century, most Canadians of Asian ancestry were denied the right to vote in federal and provincial elections. With the removal of the last statutory disenfranchisement of Asian Japanese Canadians in 1948, Canadians of Asian ancestry now represent 11% of the Canadian population, the country’s largest and fastest growing minority group. They have contributed to Canada in terms of history, economics and culture. They are also changing the face of large cities, such as Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal, where their population is most concentrated.
The debate over Québec’s place in Canada in the 1960’s led the government to make an important change in legislation in 1971. With this, Canada became the first country in the world to declare multiculturalism as a state policy. Multiculturalism goes hand in hand with democracy, since the principles of equality and freedom characterize both. Pluralism in Canada is rooted in laws, institutions and policies that promote the participation of all people in society.
Canada is not a cultural “melting pot”; people are encouraged to retain their cultural, linguistic and religious heritage.
Within the Jewish community in Canada, there are several challenges posed by the nation’s new supportive environment. Challenges such as fighting traditional anti-Semitism, understanding new forms of anti-Semitism, public versus private Judaism and pluralism within the Jewish community.
With that being said, pluralism in Canada does not come without some problems. Many immigrants or their children, for example, feel that they face racism and prejudice, just as their ancestors did in the past. Although respect for other cultures’ traditions and customs is a core value of pluralism, it is inevitable that there will be some clashes of views between groups, a hard thing to avoid as human beings in our society. Racially-related crime (gang wars, etc) is a big part of the Canadian reality, as well as beliefs and practices pertaining to religion, one of the most prominent controversies in the nation. There are immigrants to Canada, even second- or third-generation, often maintain close ties to their mother-culture and struggle to find a balance between what may appear as two competing cultural identities. Some, unfortunately feel alienated from their true identity in different contexts, such as in school, where the curriculum may not address issues pertaining to their own culture or history. Canada has come a long way, becoming a prime example of a pluralistic society. Though there is still room for future growth.