Perspectives on Diversity
Four of the ideological perspectives in promoting diversity are Anglo Conformity, Color Blind, Melting Pot, Separatism and Cultural Pluralism. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. The English influence of the Anglo Conformity is in keeping with the founding culture of America. This contribution to the present multi-ethnicity is important because of its historical significance to the nation America has become. A disadvantage of this perspective is the sense of colonialism and the slant it brings towards the English in particular. America has gone a long way from the time the Blacks were segregated and consequently discriminated.
Adopting the Color Blind perspective is showing to the world that in thought and in deed America has become a more accepting and inclusive society. Rightly and correctly, talents and skills are not a monopoly of color. The reverse of this, however, is this perspective’s disadvantage. Exceptionally talented Black entertainers and the current, popular Black President may give the Blacks a dominant advantage. America is indeed the world’s melting pot. An excellent advantage of the Melting Pot perspective is having the best of different cultures fused into one.
This will bring in a new and progressive society that understands and accepts these differences. A disadvantage would be tolerance for the worst but otherwise harmless part of this culture. An example would be hygiene habits which sometimes have religious implications. In the Separatism perspective, we learn from our differences. There may be unique features in a particular culture that must not be lost in the assimilation. It should be made to stand out. The disadvantage in this perspective is this may lead to another form of segregation. Pluralism goes along with the principles of democracy, the American way.
This allows freedom within bounds in the practice of one’s ethnicity. The disadvantage would be that it may not be indicative of the oneness of a nation, it may appear as a league of nations based in the United States. It may be open to conflicts of practices. If I were to choose a perspective to support and adopt for my advocacy, I would go for the Melting Pot. Each culture has its unique character. There are practices in them which are universally acceptable and there are some that create conflict. The best in them may be enhanced or may replicate itself.
Those that create conflict if seen from a new perspective and given a different approach may lead to a better understanding and appreciation. For example the idea of gift-giving means everything in some cultures, yet in others it may be insignificant. This can be reconciled and easily explained in the terms that they are practiced, like gift-giving to please, gift-giving that is customary or the occasional gift-giving. The Melting Pot perspective enables the merging of cultures. Beautiful norms and values, including assets and traits inherent in each may merge to produce a universal culture.
An example would be the oriental spirituality and discipline coming together with the Western spontaneity and informality. In a Melting Pot perspective, the cultures may be as diverse as they possibly can but these cultures meet at a common end. For so long, we had believed Rudyard Kipling that the “East is East and the West is West, and never the twain shall meet. ” It did, right here and right now, in the United States of America. Diversity, I believe, should foster understanding and goodwill. That should be a common goal for everyone living in the United States of America. We have become a nation of the world.
We have not only played host to diverse ethnic groups but we have welcomed and accepted them as Americans. In the great American tradition of being a nation for other nations, we strive to make a society with equal opportunities and justice for all, regardless of race, color, and creed. From them we expect the richness of their cultures adding to the richness of ours. References Kent, L. (2007, March 7). Understanding Human Differences: Multicultural Education for a Diverse America, 2nd ed. , Allyn & Bacon / Course Smart. UNESCO. org. (2007, June 20). Cultural Diversity. Retrieved April 14, 2009 from http://portal. unesco. org/culture/
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