Multiculturalism In Australia
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Multiculturalism In Australia
The implementation of the policy of multiculturalism in Australia since the late 1970s has given rise to a controversy about whether or nor such a policy will benefit or damage the cohesion and unity of Australia. This essay attempts to present such a discussion about this issue based on two articles. Obviously, in these two articles, Kerkyasharian as well as Campbell & Uhlmann hold totally oppositing answers towards the question " Can a multicultural society share a national identity?"
As today's Australia is a diverse society due to large number of immigrants coming from different cultural background, Kerkyasharian argues that multiculturalism is seen as an effective policy to administer such a country. As for people who are doubt about the effectiveness of the multicultural policy, according to Kerkyasharian, they are general divided into two groups, one of them are defenders of assimilation policy, the other one are people who are doubtful of a uncertain national identity resulted from cultural pluralism. In terms of assimilation policy, Kerkyasharian attacks that it was proved inefficient, which not only causes "emotional depression" among migrant communities, but also transgresses the nature of human. This sounds quite reasonable. Instead of creating a harmonious social environment, radical policy usually sharpens estrangement among ethnic groups, which is seen as the fuse of serious ethnic conflict. Additionally, Kerkyasharian points out that the commitments and loyalties taken by migrants are undeniable despite the fact that some of them are critical of government policy related to their original countries. Although most of migrants trend to share common history and culture in their own communities, but most importantly, they also view themselves as citizens of Australia...