Overarching Way of Living: Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is a social and cultural phenomenon triggered by the globalization process and criticism against the nation-state model of the 20th century. The timeframe we live in is such a period that the political struggles are executed in the cultural field more than ever before, and the social tensions are expressed almost entirely with the cultural codes.

Under favor of the term multiculturalism, an overarching definition of identity that comprises the values of all individuals might well be established for the sake of providing integration. Without ensuring the integration of all ethnic groups and making them feel that they belong to the country, there is no chance not to segregate. In line with that philosophy, the United Kingdom developed the understanding of "Multicultural Britishness" which will be overarching all national groups. Pakistanis in Bradford have begun to perceive themselves as more and more British.

Enabling the existence of the values of minority cultures, multiculturalism conduces to overcome the problems which stem from probable defensive and protective reflexes. France's prohibition of wearing headscarves for the Muslim girls in public schools does not steer them to not wearing headscarves but to drop out of public education and enroll in religious schools. It is the indicator that assimilation or disestablishment of a culture by a state is nigh on impossible.

Multiculturalism ensures the voluntary adaptation of the minorities to social life and dominant culture. Thanks to the view of "Multicultural Britishness" in the UK, ethnic identities began to be evaluated as less oppositional identities in social life. It has been observed that participation in the education of Pakistanis whose cultures are not assimilated to the white working class is much higher than the government predicts.

Apart from these supportive stances, the term multiculturalism was criticized for its incrementing the discrimination by highlighting the differences of cultures and being manipulated to override the civic responsibilities. Professor Kenan Malik argues that multiculturalism places people in different boxes by their cultures. However, denying the existence of different boxes will not change the fact they exist — multiculturalism accepts the different boxes as they are and lays out the foundation of a larger box covering all.

After all, the multicultural understanding averts segregation between societies and brings them together, thanks to the voluntary adaptation of minorities to society, preventing defensive reflexes, and creating an inclusive definition. Rather than focusing on the concept itself, focusing on the implementation for the policy-makers will ensure the formation of the desired sociological order.