Malak Abdalla.

Multiculturalism.

Multiculturalism is the support of others’ cultural or ethnic group in a society. It is the

variety that’s present in a society. There are many types of multiculturalism such as

multiculturalism education, which is incorporating the histories, values, and points of views from

people who are from other ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Multicultural education has many

benefits that helps in improving the country, and develop people’s thinking. It enriches the

learning environment by allowing the knowledge of students to break the negative stereotypes

that set people apart, promoting social justice, and most importantly, accepting and welcoming

cultural diversity in a society.

Multiculturalism allows people to learn about and appreciate people other than their

ethnic or racial group, or people with different beliefs, which helps them be able to socialize, and

accept changes and differences. In her article, “Teach Diversity with a Smile,” Barbara

Ehrenreich believes that “both sides should realize that the beneficiaries of multiculturalism are

not only the "oppressed peoples" on the standard P.C. list (minorities, gays, etc.). The

"unenlightened"-the victims of monoculturalism-are oppressed too, or at least deprived.”

Multiculturalism is an advantage a person can have. On the other hand, people who are a part of

a monoculturalism society are “victims;” they basically do not view ideas from other people’s

perspectives and points of view.

First, the multicultural education open people’s minds to break negative stereotypes that

are setting them apart. Maz Jobrani, in his video “Did you hear the one about Iranian-American|
Maz Jobrani,” used comedy to try to break stereotypes of Middle-Eastern and Muslims, and tried

to present them the way they actually are, as being in a multicultural country. Also, there is

“Why I wear a Hijab Video,” by Majede Najar, in which she explained the reason of wearing the

Hijab, willing that a multicultural society will break those stereotypes in which people used to

judge her by her physical appearance. I can relate to her, because I have been asked many

questions concerning the Hijab and the reason for wearing it; it is liberation, and modesty. Her

purpose of the video was trying to make people believe that the judgment depending on physical

appearance is not the right thing to do, all she wanted was to be judged by her personality.

Bassam Tariq’s video, “The Beauty and Diversity of Muslims,” revealed the uniqueness of the

Islam. He added on saying that Muslims raise and manslaughter animals humanely, which is a

part of the religion. Saying that vanishes the negativity of Muslims that has been common lately

that they are terrorists, because they are actually not. What also proves that, is having more than

85% of their customers being non Muslim. Jobrani, Najar, and Tariq all tried to bring awareness

to all people who are a part of the American Multicultural society, and banish away the negative

stereotypes that are being made against them, that has to do nothing with the truth.

Second, having a multicultural education helps promote social justice within the society.

Social justice is treating all people equally, regardless of any differences in races, gender, or

religious beliefs. Some people interpret gender differently, and understand the complexities of

gender, however, there are some people who do not. According Sam Killermann’s video,

“Understanding the Complexities of Gender: Sam Killermann at TEXxofIChicago,” gender can

defined as the biological sex, which does not necessarily determine the gender. Also, can be an

identity, which is what an individual feels or believes he or she is. Or gender can be an
expression, which is how a person expresses his beliefs. The point of that is that everyone in a

multicultural society learns to treat those groups of people equally, with respect and empathy.

They all have to be accepted and welcomed. Everyone should be important, and be recognized in

society, because we are all equal.

Finally, accepting and welcoming cultural diversity is one of the most important aspect of

a multicultural society. This is a way of interpreting respect, appreciation, love and care for

people around you in society. This allows people to be able open minded, and stay involved with

whoever’s surrounding them. Sara Salguera, in the video “Energizing Community Through

Diversity,” claims that a multicultural environment is to “create a new shared identity in this

increasingly diverse world” (14:46-15:03). That will happen when people engage critical

thinking while taking their decisions. By getting rid of stereotypes and barriers, that cause people

to hate each other, and believing that everyone has an effective voice and participate equally,

multiculturalism will be the best for people.

Even though multiculturalism is really important, and provokes diversity, there are some

people who do not believe in it for many reasons. Many years ago, the white race was dominant

over all other races. So having a country with all minorities united under the name of

multiculturalism will make them stronger, and no longer minorities. Moreover, those days, there

are people who believe that they have no culture, which doesn’t allow them to be a part of

multiculturalism. But everyone of us has a background, has beliefs that makes him feel different;

it can be a specific kind of food or clothing one prefers, it all reflects on who you are as a person,

and by that, you create your own culture.

 In conclusion, it is important to have a multicultural environment that makes us value

others, and make us valuable. A multicultural education can be a huge progressive step forward

in which will break stereotypes, promote social justice, and evoke diversity in a society.

Everyone of us has to be taught to accept the differences, because those differences make each

one of us unique and special.

Work Cited:
Ehrenreich, Barbara. “Teach Diversity with A Smile.”

Jobrani, Maz. “Did you hear the one about Iranian-American| Maz Jobrani.” YouTube, published

by

TED, 19 Aug. 2010, youtube.com/watch?v=RmXiItk49Gw&feature=youtu.be.

Killermann, Sam. “Understanding the Complexity of Gender: Sam Killermann at

TEDxUofIChicago.”

YouTube, published by TEDx Talks, 3 May 2013,

youtube.com/watch?v=NRcPXtqdKjE&feature=youtu.be.

Najar, Majede. “Why I wear a Hijab.” YouTube, published by TEDTalentSearch, 25 Jun. 2012,

youtube.com/watch?v=_SYvYBxt_Dg&feature=youtu.be.

Salguera, Sara. “Energizing Community Through Diversity.” YouTube, published by TEDx

Talks, 26

Oct. 2012,

youtube.com/watch?v=HxCvgF1-Cow&feature=youtu.be&list=PL0RPf6iqk2PsmLE1rn

Sk580VEHhnCttWw

Tariq, Bassam. “The Beauty and Diversity of Muslims.” YouTube, published by TED, 30 Jan.

2015,

youtube.com/watch?v=x1177phymxY&feature=youtu.be.