Progress through Cultural Diversity - Research Proposal Example

Progress through Cultural Diversity: Developing and Maintaining an Appropriate Balance between the Degree of Diversity a Culture Attains and the Degree of Unity it Retains In Asia, the independence of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 led to a situation where its diverse princely states had to be brought together under the European concept of a nation, which remained the only possibility towards democratic governance applicable to them. This historical necessity led to what leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru referred to as ‘unity in diversity’. In all multicultural nations, especially the present-day America, questions of identity based on race, class and gender posit a much more complicated question of unity and diversity that has undergone epochs of socio-political and economic transformations. Does the world need to retain unity at the cost of homogenizing diverse ways of life, beliefs, cultural practices and languages? The answer has to emerge from a clear understanding of the significance of diversity in defining and complementing cultural co-existence. Even though unity has to be retained on certain collective spheres, a progressive culture should aim at attaining diversity, since it happens to be the foundation of community life. The contemporary multicultural nations will not be able to profess a peaceful socio-political climate unless they acknowledge diversity. In America, the earliest nationalistic concepts were shaped by a dream to achieve the common goal of prosperity through the concerted effort of people who have found the new land to be full of promises. The American dream could not have taken roots in the minds of its occupants if it had not discounted the cultural differences of its divergent European immigrants. However, the attempts at transgressing racial and national boundaries to work towards a common goal had in fact led to the formation of a new nation that is accused these days of self-interest and Manichean precepts. Even as there never remained in America any scope for the homogenization of its multicultural community, it is possible to observe the unequal power relations that had existed throughout its history. The slave trade and the racial stigma it affixed to the colored communities are not completely removed from the American community even now. The abolition of slavery has provided better opportunities for the colored people, but it is doubtful whether the political gestures like affirmative action had fulfilled all its objectives when it comes to the idea of equal opportunities. The discontent that remains amongst the dominant communities regarding the implications of affirmative action is evidence for the power-related conflicts that remain among diverse communities. The argument that the reservations available for once-oppressed communities drain the nation of true quality and skill reveals how the prejudices that question the notion of equal opportunities still exist. The question remains whether it is possible to strive for unity through political gestures, or does it have to emerge from a change in perspectives. The notion of retaining the existing unity would be a hypocritical one, when there needs to be a focused effort to accept diverse cultural factors. The famous black movement of Harlem Renaissance has in fact contributed towards the artistic and literary richness of America. The innovations of this period like the Jazz have been effectively incorporated to the popular and mainstream culture of the nation. This is evidence enough of the power that cultural diversity possesses. The gender issues that emerged in the post-War American life have questioned many preconceived notions regarding the unity of a culture, based on a male centered viewpoint. The economic stability that women gained in the years of the War by assuming career roles heretofore meant for men had paved the way for a changing worldview. The entire superstructure of the nation underwent a sea change due to the emerging conflict of sensibilities in the political and artistic realms. The need to accept the gender-diversity has also led to the formation of sexual minority groups. Drawing inspiration from the powerful voicing of feminist perspectives, the gay and lesbian movements flourished, questioning the conventionally held beliefs related to human relationships and the structure of family. In this context as well, the American culture did benefit from the various cultural expressions like literary works, paintings songs and films that came to be representative of the American sensibility. For the well-established American community of the Twentieth century, the greatest threat was ostensibly the migration of various ethnic groups in large numbers, among which the most serious issue happens to be Mexican immigration. The illegal crossing of Arizona by the Mexican communities has in fact led to government action. The fear of a cultural contamination also remains a major concern for the average American. The shared dream of a nation where people from various cultures lived peacefully together has in fact given way to xenophobia and racial intolerance in recent times, though not without reason. The fact that Spanish has become a language that is used more than English in America today shows the impact of the Mexican and other Latin American immigration. However, the situation cannot be tackled by prohibiting immigration, though some measures to check illegal immigration may be of use. The situation can be effectively tackled only with an accommodative spirit towards national, cultural and linguistic diversity. The foreign relations of America have become appallingly dysfunctional from the latter part of the Twentieth century. The post - 9/11 international political climate had not been essentially favorable to America, and this has led to further intolerance within the nation, especially towards the immigrants from the Middle East and Asia. There remains a common apprehension towards the accommodation of Islamic people inside the nation. There are many external political and cultural reasons for it, but such intolerance will eventually lead to many misunderstandings about the nations. It is even interpreted that the American culture promotes Christianity and is essentially anti-Semitic in its outlook. The diverse ethnic communities in the nation have to be recognized and better incorporated to the cultural matrix. Those who travel long and undergo hardships to work and survive in America have to be seen as part of the American community. It is true that the terrorist factions working inside the nation have to be identified with the help of an impeccable surveillance system, but the government has to see to it that a general feeling of safety is maintained inside the nation and the individual attacks on immigrants are not entertained. Moreover, a better attitude towards diversity can be attained through a better understanding of foreign cultures and an establishment of better international relations. The ideas of attaining diversity can be propagated through education, in different levels. The concept of a cultural mosaic can very well be introduced in the elementary classrooms, which will leave a major impact on the growing minds. The mutual benefits of living in a culturally diverse world can be explained through artistic and literary works. In a multicultural classroom, the basic lessons of peaceful co-existence can be imbibed effectively. The admission procedures and policy decisions of the schools can be structured in accordance with this goal in mind. A social awareness can be created with the help of powerful interactions through films, television and the print media. There could also be public awareness programs that work towards a better understanding and acceptance of diversity. The immense amount of time spent on reinforcing the defense mechanism of the nation may divert it from the need to maintain a good economic relationship with other nations. Good business and trade relations with the rest of the world are mandatory to retain the reputation of a culturally tolerant nation in the global era. Free trade with emerging economic powers from Asia and Southeast Asia would mean a further acceptance of diverse cultural values. Better trade relations will also enhance the common goals of peace and prosperity that transcends the boundaries of nations. For this, an unprejudiced effort to comprehend other national cultures and their value systems is necessary. Attaining diversity through such efforts will in fact be based on mutual benefits, and can thus be understood to have elements of unity inherent in them. A nation like America can learn the aftermaths of cultural homogenization that took place in China and other nations in Asia and the Middle East. A historical analysis from the ancient civilization to the present times would make it clear that a balance between diversity and unity has contributed towards prosperity and peace. Contrary to the popular notion that diversity leads to chaos and the several attempts to reduce diversity to the level of cultural invasions, a proper understanding and respect towards the diverse communities within a culture will in fact pave the way for a better world that fulfills the dream of unity in diversity. The unequal world order created by centuries of colonization and mutual conflict among nations has to be contested, with the conviction and power that emerges from a proper balance of retaining unity and attaining diversity. If one starts with the idea of unity and work towards it with little understanding of the significance of diversity, it will not be possible to reach this balance. It is necessary to learn properly about diversity and get a clear understanding of it to work towards this balance, where the notion of unity will not mean the loss of identity, but it enhancement in the larger spectrum of culture. Read More