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MULTICULTURALISM AS A DISCOURSE OF DISGUISE: A POSSIBLE CANADIAN SOLUTION
What characteristics define a culture that encourages individuation, debate
and endless guestions?
I propose that the basic concepts of the self’s structuring tool kit (to become
an individual) are: freedom (to pursue interests and possibilities); safety,
including a place to learn from mistakes (e.g. the discoveries of scientific
medicinal cures may be more effective at saving lives than praying to God);
rational maturity so as to help others survive. Does the word ‘multicultural’
really amalgamate these ideas in one coherent policy? We need to explore
what meanings can be associated with the word multicultural.
Culture and Multi-cultures
Cultures are differentiated by the constructs that determine the meaning of
events. Class systems with concepts of higher, lower and popular culture are
easy to identify." Beyond this, cultures and their conceptual structures are
differentiated by clothing styles, types of political rule, economic systems,
dietary habits, forms of artistic expression, modes of habitat, communications
systems, the significance of science and/or education, religious beliefs, family
structure, entertainment, race, languages, and the treatment of other living
species. While the above list has the appearance of scholarly clarity, many
terms are ambiguous.
Consider the term ‘clothing’. There are multiple words used to denote body
coverings that protect us from the elements and express the individuated self
we want others to recognize: uniforms, sports-wear, costumes are just a few.
Are there agreed-upon norms that determine their appropriate use? Suppose
I interpret everything as costuming.”
Religious clothing in a religious culture can be costumes from the
perspective of an atheist culture. Why can’t everyone choose the categories
of coverings for bodies? Why can’t all clothing be recognized as costume?
If one culture recognizes the Pope’s gowns as sacred symbols, why should
that recognition, in a multi-cultural society take priority over another who
sees expensive costumes? If the response is one needs to show respect, then
equally one needs to respect those who regard all clothing as decorative
costuming. Describing the Pope as a man wearing a fancy dress costume is
neither criticism nor false. In a multicultural country, this description should
be quite acceptable without reprimand or fear of offence.
If we celebrate the freedom to learn and acquire knowledge about ideas, such
as costume and clothing, the freedom to share interpretations should exist
4 Scruton, Modern Culture, Chapter 1.
15 William Shakespeare, in As You Like It, wrote: “All the world’s a stage and all the men and
women merely players.” Act II, Scene vii, Line 138.
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