MULTICULTURALISM Introduction What is multicult

It seems reasonable to state that a reasoned debate on the subject of multiculturalism, perhaps one that included an examination of at least some research on the topic, could do much to settle which side of the issue is correct. However, arriving at a reasoned debate would be extremely difficult because there is literally no accepted consensus as to the meaning of the term, a fact that would also make it difficult if not impossible to conduct a comparison of research on the topic.

The thesis of this essay is that there is indeed no consensus on the meaning of the term multiculturalism. Moreover, the argument will be made that until a more agreed upon definition is formulated, most books, articles and research purporting to discuss the subject are really doing little more than discussing one definitional view of the topic and thereby not providing any comprehensive analysis of the subject matter at all.

Differing Definitions of Multiculturalism

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tion of multiculturalism discussed by McKenzie (1997, p. 4) is holistic multiculturalism. This idea is said to stress the notion of cultural pluralism in which a given society works to maintain the modes of behavior, values, and even conduct of different ethnic groups rather than to assimilate them into a dominant culture. McKenzie (p. 4) points out that holistic multiculturalism values co-existence over assimilation and works toward "unity" which is another term that often goes undefined. An example of holistic multiculturalism can be seen in a position statement adopted in 1972 by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) (1973) in its publication, No One Model American: which states that: Multicultural education is education which values cultural pluralism. Multicultural education rejects the view that schools should seek to melt away cultural differences or the view that schools should merely tolerate cultural pluralism...It affirms that major education institutions should strive to preserve and enhance cultural pluralism. To endorse cultural pluralism is to endorse the principle that there is no one model American (p. 264). It should be noted here that the statement issued by the AACTE also ha
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Approximate Word count = 2530
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)