Date: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 19:44:53
From: pons <pons-AT-cict.fr>
Subject: Re: Mukherjee and multiculturalism



'The notion that paying for song, dance and delicious "ethnic treats" is true
multiculturalism' has long since ceased to be true. It was described as the
'spaghetti & polka' version of multiculturalism. In Australia at least, the
concept was redefined to include notions of economic and social equity -
multiculturalism means that one's ethnic background is no barrier to having
access to all the goodies a particular society has to offer. As for the
'state-sponsored' thing, it's inevitable: in Australia (again),
multiculturalism has always been a top-down policy, one decided upon by
enlightened politicians, and more or less rammed down the throat of a
doubtful electorate. Leadership, after all, is about showing the way.
Without falling into the errors of Leninism, one can argue that it would
take a while if one was to wait for peoplespontaneously to shed their
prejudices without any prodding from the state apparatuses. A regrettable
thing, to be sure, but what's the alternative? In Australia (yes, again),
when the government stopped promoting multiculturalism and its associated
values, they got Pauline Hanson...
Cheers,
Xavier
Prof. Xavier Pons
Université de Toulouse-Le Mirail (France)
pons-AT-cict.fr


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