Each One of Us is Multicultural

 America is a multicultural society. Our diversity has long been recognized as our greatest strength. The concepts of "From Many, One," "Freedom and Justice for All" -- and the idea that we are all created equally -- reach down to the very roots of who we are. Nobody thought it would be easy. Our lofty ideals have clearly been at odds with some of our actions. But we have always been a pluralistic society.

There are Two Sides to Every Story

The word multicultural means different things in different contexts. That's appropriate. Context and multiple perspectives is fundamentally what multiculturalism is all about.

Definitions can limit and control as much as they explain and liberate, but we must strive for clarity about what the term culture means in the context of multicultural literature.

Culture

Culture does not refer to static categories of populations broken down by race, ethnicity and religion. As it concerns literature, I understand culture to be the ever-changing, interconnected set of artifacts and conceptual representations made manifest by the ideation and experiences of individuals and groups of people.

Identity

Multiculturalism then, is an explicit recognition of American ideals, and of a very basic human reality:

Each individual finds identity
through a dynamic weaving
of multiple cultural influences.

Each one of us is multicultural.  

That is to say, a teenager might identify as a female, and a Protestant, and an African American, and so forth -- maintaining varying levels of identification with perhaps dozens of other communities and social groups.

Youth culture is obviously among these social groups.

Community

Through multicultural literature, each of us is strengthened. We are made whole through the continued re-cognition of our diversity as multicultural communities and multicultural individuals. In the cooperative, multi-perspective, multicultural model, we are all invited to have a seat at the table.

Common Sense

We actively work to eliminate prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. We are united by our diversity. Working together, reading together, thinking together -- we will find verification of our truths in others' truths. Together, we will arrive at cross-cultural commonalities and a common sense.

"No one ever talks about the moment you found
that you were white. Or the moment you found
out you were black. That's a profound revelation.
The minute you find that out, something happens.
You have to renegotiate everything."

-- Toni Morrison

Of the ten multicultural book award and literature sites investigated, the eight most predominant concepts are here noted:

• Exhibit the finest literary craftsmanship and cultural relevance
• Embodies cultural integrity  and cultural competence (authenticity)
• Respects the reader
• Connects culture with social justice
• Empowers readers to think and decide for themselves
• Allows for multiple perspectives
• Recognizes intra-cultural diversity
• Promotes understanding and appreciation for all cultures

Posted in: REFLECTIONS