why did the west commit to multiculturalism?

[Subotan]

Multiculturalism: where other, non indigenous people have come and transplanted all their own culture along with them, not to meld with the native culture, but to be a separate entity.

Ok, sure. I'm going to a pain in the arse, and ask you to be a bit more specific; how do you define "separate entity"? Is it on a group or an individual basis? Are, say, the British Chinese who live in various Chinatowns, despite identifying as British, examples of this? If so, why does this arrangement constitute a problem?

In its most extreme form different clothing, different language, no desire to intermarry and whose descendants do not view themselves as from the country they were born in either.

This is something which will change with time, I think and assume. If you look at the USA, throughout the late 19th and early 20th century, there are plenty of examples of nativist Americans who dissaproved of the Irish, Germans, Italians, Japanese etc. all bringing those traits over to the United States. Gradually, those differences have blurred and faded to the point where "hyphenated-American" is for the vast majority of Americans now a mere semantic expression.

The one thing which they did adopt was the United State's citizenship, as it was so easy to acquire. This helped speed assimilation and integration, and is why I think a tolerant approach would be more successful than any attempts at forced integration.

A simple example. I am English. Is that Viking, Saxon, Celt, Roman, French, Danish or one of possibly a dozen others? I neither know nor care. A colleague of mine defines herself as Tamil. Born in Slough. She has certainly integrated to a degree but she refuses to describe herself as English even though she is as English as I am, as we were both born here.

When she has spoken of finding a husband she would either look to other Tamils in the UK or go back to Sri Lanka (go back? She never lived there!) to find one.

Tamils are a special case, given that their sense of nationhood is particularly sensitive, occasionally to the extent of rather unforgivable apologism for the LTTE. Depending on the sensitivity of the person in question, prodding them about it can be a fun game. That said, I get your point. Modern technology helps keep those ties stronger, for better or worse. However, these differences will fade with time. I would be genuinely surprised if her kids, who would presumably grow up in the UK will feel the same way. After all, we've seen the same arguments used towards various immigrants to this country - Jews from Eastern Europe, Huguenots, Irish, German Lutherans, Africans, African-Caribbean etc. All have effectively assimilated into a British society that has changed to accommodate them.

[rory_20_uk]

Yes, you are right. Chinatown is probably an aberration as they were the first group to keep completely separate. But they do view themselves as British and obey British laws. Most of those who went to the USA wanted to be Americans, and tried to fit in.

England is a mongrel nation. English is a mongrel language. A melting pot where peoples have come and dissolved in to make a stronger alloy. The most important fact is coming to be included.

Big blobs that do not dissolve are not wanted (please, if there any material scientists out there, spare us the importance of variable crystal sizes in preventing sheer fractures in ceramics...).

Historically there was probably one influx in at the most a decade. Ties to the "homeland" would be tenuous and so assimilation was pretty guaranteed. Now fluxes are that much quicker and ties (if wanted) to the "homeland" are vastly stronger. I was at a registry office with a Pakistani and his bride fresh from the Homeland. he was told that he had to leave a notice for a number of days before he could get married. He was quite upset that this couldn't be skipped - he did not appear to be one to let English Law to interfere - yet he's apparently integrated enough to have a Passport; at the ceremony to get one's British passport a decent number of the persons couldn't speak enough to get through the ceremony!

[Fragony]

'Ok, sure. I'm going to a pain in the arse, and ask you to be a bit more specific; how do you define "separate entity"? Is it on a group or an individual basis? Are, say, the British Chinese who live in various Chinatowns, despite identifying as British, examples of this? If so, why does this arrangement constitute a problem?'

Are there already 'you are entering a budhist area' posters there. Chinese just live here, I once heard they are from China, can anyone comfirm

[Adrian II]

Are there already 'you are entering a budhist area' posters there.

Um, Chinese would probably install a daoist area. With signs like 'Caution, non-violent guards' and 'All gets done by doing nothing'.

And imagine the food, man, imagine the godly food.

AII

[Tellos Athenaios]

And the opiates. Sherlock's dream.

[Fragony]

Yes but still. I think it's all pretty simple, the islam just proves that multiculture is a flawed concept. Unacceptable to the babyboomer generation, their parents could hardly read so they aren't used to not-so-stupid people disagreeing. Ever met a anthropologist who is not an anthropologist?

[Centurion1]

Um, Chinese would probably install a daoist area. With signs like 'Caution, non-violent guards' and 'All gets done by doing nothing'.

And imagine the food, man, imagine the godly food.

AII

This all depends. Are we dealing with good Atheist Chinese who love big brother?

Taoism is on the decline in China and more and more people (who are actually religious) are becoming Buddhist's. Mostly Mahayana.

Have you ever been to a Chinatown? Not friendly places to giant white Dutchmen like yourself and most certainly not peaceful places.

[Fragony]

I'm only 1.84 Asians are just small. And a bit girly I might add

[Papewaio]

I'm only 1.84 Asians are just small. And a bit girly I might add

Same, and yes in general... particularly some of the Thai ones.generally the Thai girls are quite pretty... just be careful around the very pretty ones. She walks like a women...

[Adrian II]

This all depends. Are we dealing with good Atheist Chinese who love big brother?

We are dealing with my attempt at a joke. Nothing more.

I have been to a few Chinatowns. San Francisco was nice, XIII in Paris too. Had no problem at all, and I'm quite a tall Dutchman.

AII

[Centurion1]

And I was joking as well. Chinatown's and in fact most ethnic neighborhoods are a nightmare to investigate a crime in. Try living in one. It wouldn't be the most welcoming of environments.