Sociologists and social scientists in Europe, the United States, Australia and Canada are increasingly focusing their attention on the implications of multiculturalism in their societies. Unfortunately, it appears that scant attention has been given by our academics to the growing ethnic and cultural admixture intrusion into Maltese society.
Recent stunning events in the civilised world have compelled me to cast a backward glance to correct, with hindsight, any impression I may have given in the past on the benefits of multiculturalism.
It is obvious why I have lost faith in uncontrolled multiculturalism, consisting locally of the unbridled and unchecked ethnic groups, some of whom are completely foreign to our European Christian culture. They have swollen our schools, colleges and places of work where, on the surface, these diverse communities appear to be integrating; in reality a growing population from different ethnic groups are sowing the seeds of discord, which, in future, may reap the whirlwind unless we nip them in the bud.
After the tragic events in different parts of the world, top vigilance and monitoring of certain ethnic groups foreign to their culture are now the order of the day. These alien ethnic groups have overstepped the norms of tolerance and have emerged as hotbeds of fanaticism with smouldering embers fanning the flames of their beliefs.
Quite recently, leaders in Kenyan strongly condemned some educational institutions and places of worship, which they considered to “being centres of radicalism offering a podium of hatred and bigotry”.
Used well, multiculturalism can foster peace; used badly it can have a disastrous effect
In the United Kingdom, where, for decades, Enoch Powell’s “rivers of blood” prophecy has been totally ignored, British Home Secretary Theresa May has warned that Britain was facing the worst terrorist threat in history
A few years ago, I discussed at length the local schools multinational environment, calling them global villages, praising the benefits of multiculturalism, particularly those belonging to the State. I strongly recommended at the time the healthy inclusive policy where youths of diverse nationalities study and play together in a very congenial and stimulating atmosphere where they learn from each other.
How wrong I was. Little did I realise that this situation can only prevail when we become fully aware that multiculturalism does not mean that all cultures or ethnic groups within a society are equal. Consequently, they do not deserve to be treated in the same way.
It has to be made clear that we hold different values from others and that we cherish our culture.
I strongly believe that the foundation of our democracy laws and values, including freedom of speech, emerge from our Judeo-Christian heritage. Unfortunately, many European states, “aged and weary”, as recently dubbed by the Pope, have ditched their Christian legacy in spite of their roots in Christian culture.
Understandably, if we do not recognise this fact, our culture is under threat from the dangers of unchecked multiculturalism. Sadly, we have witnessed certain schools in England phasing out traditional Christmas ceremonies to appease other cultures; other areas have banned Christmas cards and it has been suggested to remove the word Christ from this festive season and call it Winter Festival or Winterval.
Australian sociologist Sneja Gunew, in her book titled Haunted Nations, warns that some ethnic groups assume certain lifestyles as incompatible.
Like Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol, I was visited by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come who presented me with a poisoned chalice of our festive season bereft of our seasonal joy, Christian spirit of hope, faith and charity and our traditions.
It has recently been revealed that, in the UK, second and third generations of youths who are coming from a diverse ethnic group are more likely to be radicalised than their parents, diversity and multiculturalism being “more of an alienating experience for the Westernised young adults than their immigrant parents”.
Like all “isms”, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Socialism that man has invented, multiculturalism can be the best or worst of things. Used well it can foster respect, tolerance, love of neighbour and peace; used badly it can have disastrous effect.
By all means let us have multiculturalism provided it is monitored, controlled and always ensuring that our resident culture remains untarnished.