Knowledge 6 6 6
12th July 2004, 15:04
HOMOGENEITY
One great astonishing feat of the modern-day 'Western Civilization' is the encompassing and oppurtunities given to a diverse amount of people. Tagged along with this of course is a sense of national unity amidst the diverse populous, and pride; while America boasts of its 'melting pot' status, Canada contrasts this with its 'cultural mosaic'. To its benefit, multiculturalism seems like a wonderful idea and even heavily promoted by our respectful countries, yet we fail to understand that a basic form of homogeneity keeps the country together.
'Homogeneity' means, in essence, of similar quality or nature. Establishing a base notion as to which should be attainable by many within the society. What has become of our world and surroundings? Instead of a 'multiculturalist' nation, we've made it into a mind-numbing robot-esque type existence. Simply put; a suit and tie accompanied by a hint of patriarchy defines what lives we should lead respectively.
It is humourous that patriarchy should still be a topic, in today's 'equal' society. Again, another topic that is heavily discussed without real thought about the subject at hand. For every dollar a man makes, a woman makes 0.68 of that. Women are put as nurses to doctors, and does the 'unmentionable' work that a doctor should not 'have to do'. Women unfortunately are the emotional support to the supposed 'strong' men out there. Not only are they the man's supposed 'soulmate' and 'confidante', they are in turn, the man's *****.
Unfortunately, this sad attribute is actually looked at as something both men and women should attain to.
So the thought of multiculturalism comes into play. Gathering people from almost every corner on the planet so their skills can be 'nurtured' to the benefit of a particular corporation. Although oppurtunities in the west are almost at every overpass, one must realise the overwhelming prevelance of the re-training involved. Although you may have been a doctor, lawyer or scientist in your country of origin, you unfortunately will not carry on that same status when you arrive in the west.
Multiculturalism is one great notion to promote, not only from a societal standpoint, but from a political standpoint as well. Most immigrants turned Canadian citizens will likely vote Liberal or left-wing than to vote conservative, or right-wing. This is not to say that their political views become biased once they arrive in the west, but it is to say that their political views remain at a standstill vote for liberalistic parties.
So, how does the notion of multiculturalism correlate to homogeneity? In simplistic form - it is almost a necessity. Bringing people from abroad with their notions of 'you have to put in what you get out' contribute heavily to the growing number of landed immigrants working labour-oriented factory jobs. While they once boasted of a better career in their country of origin, manual labour has become their new career in the west; and of course to provide their children with a world of oppurtunities they were never given.
For those willing to become part of the cynical corporate city in the downtown core, '9-5ers' as they're traditionally called care not about diversity but about homogeneity. How easily one can fit into a society that boasts a suit and tie, or 'business apparel' as one's attire. Of course women are supposed to dress conservative as well, as their new-found careers require it. Women and men of all cultures flock together and take part in the morning rush, and the afternoon primetime television shows so the new talk of the next day can be on sometimes fictitious characters that shone brightly the night before. In essence, despite the thought of multiculturalism, a new culture is created, unaffected of course by one's personal background.
So what has happened here? We have shifted from the promotion of multiculturalism to the realisation of homogeneity. Trying to fit into a culture, while subordinating our own.
Stores, restaurants, even miniscure parts of the city are created in dedication to a particular culture. Chinatown, Little Italy, Little India, etc, it all has one basis; make the recepients of each culture feel 'at home' so that they can keep their culture on weekends, and preserve their homogeneic metropolis-based culture monday-friday.
Can a homogeneic culture be linked to the capitalist-based societal structure that has made itself prevelant in the west? In a certain sense, yes. This can be due to the notion of subordinating one's culture in order to 'make it', or attain more.
What is more astonishing is the neo-conservative youth culture of most western societies. The consumption of the youth today is set at such a high level. The amount of money being spent behind brainwashing people into thinking their products are very worthy of their wealth is astonishing to say the least. Shopping centres and millions of dollars that flow into ad campeigns are just some examples of the lengths various corporations will go to get the youth market. This in itself has bred a culture which, at an early age has engraven into them that 'more is always better'. Again, this can be attributed to the capitalistic tendencies made prevelant in the west.
To its benefit, homogeneity in the west has created a global culture in which one becomes more knowledgeable about people from different parts of the world. The influx of 'immigrants' has also provided a whirlwind of oppurtunities for not only themselves but for their children. This being said, homogeneity in the west has created a robotic existence and should only be comparable to a horrible standard of human existence.
(what do u guys think?)
One great astonishing feat of the modern-day 'Western Civilization' is the encompassing and oppurtunities given to a diverse amount of people. Tagged along with this of course is a sense of national unity amidst the diverse populous, and pride; while America boasts of its 'melting pot' status, Canada contrasts this with its 'cultural mosaic'. To its benefit, multiculturalism seems like a wonderful idea and even heavily promoted by our respectful countries, yet we fail to understand that a basic form of homogeneity keeps the country together.
'Homogeneity' means, in essence, of similar quality or nature. Establishing a base notion as to which should be attainable by many within the society. What has become of our world and surroundings? Instead of a 'multiculturalist' nation, we've made it into a mind-numbing robot-esque type existence. Simply put; a suit and tie accompanied by a hint of patriarchy defines what lives we should lead respectively.
It is humourous that patriarchy should still be a topic, in today's 'equal' society. Again, another topic that is heavily discussed without real thought about the subject at hand. For every dollar a man makes, a woman makes 0.68 of that. Women are put as nurses to doctors, and does the 'unmentionable' work that a doctor should not 'have to do'. Women unfortunately are the emotional support to the supposed 'strong' men out there. Not only are they the man's supposed 'soulmate' and 'confidante', they are in turn, the man's *****.
Unfortunately, this sad attribute is actually looked at as something both men and women should attain to.
So the thought of multiculturalism comes into play. Gathering people from almost every corner on the planet so their skills can be 'nurtured' to the benefit of a particular corporation. Although oppurtunities in the west are almost at every overpass, one must realise the overwhelming prevelance of the re-training involved. Although you may have been a doctor, lawyer or scientist in your country of origin, you unfortunately will not carry on that same status when you arrive in the west.
Multiculturalism is one great notion to promote, not only from a societal standpoint, but from a political standpoint as well. Most immigrants turned Canadian citizens will likely vote Liberal or left-wing than to vote conservative, or right-wing. This is not to say that their political views become biased once they arrive in the west, but it is to say that their political views remain at a standstill vote for liberalistic parties.
So, how does the notion of multiculturalism correlate to homogeneity? In simplistic form - it is almost a necessity. Bringing people from abroad with their notions of 'you have to put in what you get out' contribute heavily to the growing number of landed immigrants working labour-oriented factory jobs. While they once boasted of a better career in their country of origin, manual labour has become their new career in the west; and of course to provide their children with a world of oppurtunities they were never given.
For those willing to become part of the cynical corporate city in the downtown core, '9-5ers' as they're traditionally called care not about diversity but about homogeneity. How easily one can fit into a society that boasts a suit and tie, or 'business apparel' as one's attire. Of course women are supposed to dress conservative as well, as their new-found careers require it. Women and men of all cultures flock together and take part in the morning rush, and the afternoon primetime television shows so the new talk of the next day can be on sometimes fictitious characters that shone brightly the night before. In essence, despite the thought of multiculturalism, a new culture is created, unaffected of course by one's personal background.
So what has happened here? We have shifted from the promotion of multiculturalism to the realisation of homogeneity. Trying to fit into a culture, while subordinating our own.
Stores, restaurants, even miniscure parts of the city are created in dedication to a particular culture. Chinatown, Little Italy, Little India, etc, it all has one basis; make the recepients of each culture feel 'at home' so that they can keep their culture on weekends, and preserve their homogeneic metropolis-based culture monday-friday.
Can a homogeneic culture be linked to the capitalist-based societal structure that has made itself prevelant in the west? In a certain sense, yes. This can be due to the notion of subordinating one's culture in order to 'make it', or attain more.
What is more astonishing is the neo-conservative youth culture of most western societies. The consumption of the youth today is set at such a high level. The amount of money being spent behind brainwashing people into thinking their products are very worthy of their wealth is astonishing to say the least. Shopping centres and millions of dollars that flow into ad campeigns are just some examples of the lengths various corporations will go to get the youth market. This in itself has bred a culture which, at an early age has engraven into them that 'more is always better'. Again, this can be attributed to the capitalistic tendencies made prevelant in the west.
To its benefit, homogeneity in the west has created a global culture in which one becomes more knowledgeable about people from different parts of the world. The influx of 'immigrants' has also provided a whirlwind of oppurtunities for not only themselves but for their children. This being said, homogeneity in the west has created a robotic existence and should only be comparable to a horrible standard of human existence.
(what do u guys think?)