Multiculturalism as I see it.

The End of Multiculturalism – We Hope

Stew Richland

The European Renaissance began in the 14^th Century  gave birth to a period of enlightenment that the world is still benefiting from. The advancement in science and mathematics contributed greatly to the science of map making and navigation which allowed sailors to navigate the globe.  The Crusades opened the door to the wonders of the Middle East.  Europeans discovered spices and products such as silk and cotton that they never knew existed.  The demand for the products of the Middle East and Asia contributed to the growth and power of the Italian city states. England, France, Spain and Portugal, nations facing the Atlantic Ocean also wanted to get involved in this highly lucrative trade.  Spain financed the travels of  Christopher Columbus  in order tofind the quickest route to Asia.  We all know what Columbus discovered, the Americas and that changed the history of the world.

Spain and Portugal sent their Conquistadors to establish colonies in Central and South America. Their mission can be summarized by the three “G’s”  Gold, Glory and God. The Spanish and Portuguese upon landing on the shores of the “New World” began their conquest of the land and imposed their language, religion and culture on the native population.  This explains why the Spanish language and Catholicism is predominant in Latin America.

In contrast to the Spanish, the English, French, and Dutch explored North America.  They realized that there was no direct route to the Far East because of the Northern  land mass and  decided that North America could become  a depository for those groups that were having religious conflicts with the mother country, and also to be used as  a depository for criminals and debtors. The  Virginia colony, because of its climate became the tobacco and cotton growing area. Young aristocrats given land grants by the king were able to establish a plantation system. In addition, these privileged Englishmen began to replicate the life and culture of their homeland.   Both the Pilgrims and the southern aristocrats established permanent colonies.   This explains why women accompanied men  to the new world. The Dutch soon followed  but settled in New York since Henry Hudson claimed the colony for Holland.   The French in contrast to the English were  only interested in the fur trade because fur garments were highly prized by Europeans and would bring great wealth to France.   The French traders did not intend to make northern America their home and so they did not bring women with them.  This explains why, after a period of time, many French traders took Indian wives which led to a good working  relationship with the Indian nations that populated most of North America.

The English colonies grew and expanded and with it the  language, customs, laws and traditions of England was transplanted in the new world.  Education was in English.  Laws were based on the English Common Law and the colonies tolerated different religious practices.  A characteristic of the colonial experience was the colonists attitude toward land ownership.  Based on the European tradition, land ownership afforded equality of  status and the privilege to vote  The Native American did not understand this idea of land ownership. Tribes had traditionally moved from one hunting ground to another without any restrictions. However, when the settlers staked their claims their homestead, they fenced off their property.  This view of colonists land ownership explains why there were constant wars between the Indian tribes and the settlers.

Indian tribes became more hostile to the encroachment by settlers on their traditional hunting grounds and conflicts between the two groups increased.   One of the consequences of this conflict led to  the growth of equality on the frontier.  Regardless of one’s pedigree all settlers faced the same dangers equally. No one asked where you were born or how much money you had or even your religious affiliation. What was important was fighting the common enemy, the Native Americans.

Historians agree that the discovery of gold in California in 1849 dramatically altered the demographics of the United States. Immigrants from all over the world caught the gold fever and rushed to California in hopes of finding the mother lode. There were no immigration laws on the books that placed restrictions on nation of origin or quotas so the flood gates opened wide. 

The need for a transcontinental railroad that would tie the East to the West became apparent, the government approved plans to offer government land grants to companies that would build a railroad network to the Pacific.   Thousands of workers, from the U.S. and overseas signed on to build the railroad network.  Included in this group were  thousands of Chinese that fled the gold camps of California to sign on to help build the railroad system. The Irish arrived at a time of need for America. The country was growing and it needed men to do the heavy work of building bridges, canals, and railroads. It was hard, dangerous work, a common expression heard among the railroad workers was "an Irishman was buried under every tie." Desperation drove them to these jobs.

In order to fund much of the railroad construction, land on either side of the railroad sites were divided into sections and sold to farmers. Railroad companies advertised in European newspapers that cheap farm land was available and they would provide free transportation to their new homestead.  Thousands of European jumped at this offer and again the flood gates opened.  In addition to this group, came the thousands of families that wanted to escape the wars of Europe.

All of these immigrant groups, regardless of the reasons why they came to America brought their culture, values and traditions with them.  For example, the German immigrants gave us Santa Clause and musical hall entertainment.  The Chinese provided an Americanized version of their native cuisine.  The Irish were unique among immigrants. They fiercely loved America but never gave up their allegiance to Ireland...and they kept their hatred of the English. The appearance of large numbers of Jews, Slavs, and Italian immigrants led many Americans to consider the Irish an asset; their Americanization was now recognized. Hostility shifted from the Irish to the new nationalities. Through poverty and subhuman living conditions, the Irish tenaciously clung to each other. With their ingenuity for organization, they were able to gain power and acceptance.

There has been so much written about the immigrant experience and their contributions to American life.  Legal immigration to the U.S. can be a puzzling jumble of forms, rules and proofs Dreams of family, freedom and success motivate aspiring immigrants to accept the challenge. The Americanization process always began for these immigrants in the schools.  Teachers were role models of success and inspiration.  The schools instilled the ideas of freedom, democracy, and a road map for success.  Parents encouraged their children to adopt the culture, values of America as a way to move forward.  Americans also understood that these immigrants brought with them a uniqueness which soon became entwined with the established mores of American life. The days of "No Irish Need Apply" passed. St. Patrick day parades replaced violent confrontations. The Irish not only won acceptance for their day, but persuaded everyone else to become Irish at least for St. Patrick's Day.  The Irish, like most immigrant groups, often referred to themselves as Irish-Americans and other ethnic groups adopted this hyphenated term to describe themselves.  This became the basis for the growth of multiculturalism in the United States. The Oxford English dictionary defines multiculturalism as: “The characteristics of a multicultural society; (also) the policy or process whereby the distinctive identities of the cultural groups within such a society are maintained or supported.” This definition reflects the idea that preserves within ethnic groups their culture, differing views and values.  The key here is that these multicultural beliefs are:  possible only in a democratic society whose institutions encourage individuality in groups, in persons, [and] in temperaments, and when it does not undermine those core values that are the basis of the American way of life.

On the surface, multiculturalism has created and expanded life in America.  For example, in every city there are restaurants serving ethnic foods.  Every supermarket has isles set aside for ethnic foods.  In every major city there are parades recognizing immigrant roots.  Much of the most popular music that Americans listen and dance to had their origins outside of the U.S.A. All of these factors contribute to making America a shining example for all other nations.

However, multiculturalism has its down side. Arthur Schlesinger, in his book, “The Disuniting of America,” noted that after World War II,  "The civil rights revolution provoked new expressions of ethnic identity by the now long-resident 'new migration' from southern and eastern Europe".

Multiculturalism led to the organizing of ethnic groups, ethnic leaders emerged and then were courted by political parties to gain their vote. Thus,  making the migrant vote so important for political parties to win elections. Multiculturalism is so appealing to the major political parties because there are votes to be gained by promoting it. 

John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the U.S. and who was of Irish descent, is the source of one of our favorite inspirational quotes about how immigrants bring with them opportunities for success on both the personal and national levels. Kennedy made this statement in his 1964 book "Nation of Immigrants":

"As each new wave of immigration has reached America, it has been faced with problems... Somehow, the difficult adjustments are made and people get down to the tasks of earning a living, raising a family, living with their neighbors, and in the process, building a nation.

Adolfo Carrion, Jr., who is the director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs Policy. Carrion was quoted as saying this about his family's immigration experience:

"This may sound cliché to some, but for my family, it's not. In one generation we went from parents with little formal education to all four kids graduating from graduate school and going on to successful professions. I have no doubt that my kids will achieve and contribute even more to the American enterprise. This is what keeps me going: that you can go from a sub-basement apartment in a 1960's Brooklyn ghetto to working for the President of the United States in one generation."

Sadly, the political opportunists have distorted  the idea of multiculturalism to a point in which enhancing their political objectives, maintaining their power positions at the expense of those they say they represent is becoming a growing menace to our nation. Just look at the demonstrations that took place at both political conventions  We had people burning the American flag. Other groups waving flags of other nations.  People who refused to rise from their seats when the national anthem was played.  

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Liz Balmaseda, who authored an  inspirational tale about growing up in Hialeah, Florida, for the Carnegie Corporation's 2013 immigration campaign:

"I could say it was by magic that a loving and supportive community emerged around our family. But that village force of good neighbors, church friends, American-born school teachers who took the initiative to visit our home and offer a word of praise and encouragement—that doesn't happen by magic. In response to a life embraced a life that is often turbulent, painful and imperfect. This is what I learned from my mother, may she rest in peace...My Cuba is now buried in a Miami cemetery. But my America resounds in all its glory, like a hundred conga drums playing beneath Friday night lights in Hialeah."

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, the 26th president of the U.S., reminds us through his address to the Knights of Columbus in 1915 that U.S. citizens are actually bonded into one nation by their heritage as immigrants:

"There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. ...The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."

The other day I watched the American swimmers standing on the podium with their gold medals, while the national anthem was being played.  One swimmer was singing the lyrics and another had tears of joy streaming from his eyes.  This is what bonds Americans together. We root for our young people that are participating in the Olympics because they great examples of what Americans can achieve in a land that encourages a person to be all they can be. Americans should reject those political opportunists who use multiculturalism as a weapon to undermine the values we cherish.

I await your observations. Please comment on the site that this commentary was posted on or at phylissrichland.blogspot.com

authors note: the quotations above came from various Google sites dealing with Multiculturalism.