Multiculturalism

Frivolously superimposing the philosophy and rituals of one culture upon another is folly. Some enthusiasts of multiculturalism simplistically attempt to fuse their own native culture with another without true understanding or rational creativity. I believe this is counterproductive. This blurs cultural distinctions and diminishes cultural diversity, the joy of multiculturalism, the ability to leave one cultural perspective and visit another as a curious guest. Meanwhile, an overriding human identity, greater than any cultural identity, is sorely lacking on the planet. 



Photo: Kenneth Zerkel



For example, in urban America, segments of the intelligentsia have embraced Tibetan Buddhism as a model discipline. This strikes me as somewhat frivolous. Prior to the violent and unjust colonization of Tibet by China, Tibet was an ethnically homogeneous, rural culture subsisting largely on yak milk in a tremendously challenging terrain. The Tibetan Buddhism of that culture stems from that culture. It is interlaced with nature religion and superstition. While I believe that the meditative aspects of its tradition are useful, there is little else in Tibetan Buddhism or Tibetan culture that strikes me as existentially informative, despite the fact it is complex and fascinating from an anthropological point of view.

The core values of secular Buddhism and secular humanism, when studied, are very applicable to urban life in a diverse population. These core values cut across cultural lines. And, these core values are applicable only if actually applied in a daily practice. This requires more effort and self-sacrifice than most Americans are willing to endure.

The core values of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Jainism, and other religions do not vastly differ. The cultural overlays upon those core values cause problems and strife. This is inherent flaw of multiculturalism. Defined and enforced subcultures in a fragmented multicultural society are potential wedges against overall cultural progress. Without an overriding identity, whether national or religious, human beings, when stressed and/or impoverished, tend to revert to violent tribalism. Bosnia, Kosovo and American drug gangs are prime examples. Yet, overriding national and religious identities have been shown to be disasterous to human beings who are perceived as "the other".

I hope someday the overriding planetary identity will be the human identity. This is a core value of my humanism. Universal human rights will be established when all human beings indentify with each other above nationality, ethnicity or religion. We are far from that, and I sometimes think that avid multiculturalism among the elite is more entertainment than an attempt at realizing greater justice and greater peace. I see little evidence of its effectiveness.