Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!db.toronto.edu!jdd
From: jdd@db.toronto.edu (John DiMarco)
Newsgroups: can.general
Subject: Multiculturalism and Biculturalism
Message-ID: <1989Jul27.135211.15720@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu>
Date: 27 Jul 89 17:52:10 GMT
Distribution: can
Lines: 37

The multiculturalism of Canadian society arises from Canada's bicultural
nature. From the foundation of this country, Canadians have had to live
with two principal cultures: English and French. Because of this, Canadians
have developed a relatively tolerant attitude towards all sort of different
cultures. 

If we are to remain a multicultural society, we must not allow the divorce 
of French and English Canada. 

Let me explain. In any group, if one and only one 'culture' (culture = 
customs and traditions, language, religion(?)) becomes dominant, it becomes
the norm of behaviour in that group. The social correctness of any member
of the group becomes determined by his/her conformance to this norm. If, 
however, there are multiple (2 or more) 'cultures' in the group, a certain
tolerance develops. The correctness of any member of the group can no longer
be acertained by his/her conformance to a cultural standard, because there
is no one such standard. Essentially, 'being a member' does not require
'conforming to a culture'. 

If a multicultural group with two dominant cultures (and perhaps others as
well) should fragment into two groups, each with one dominant culture, 
there will be considerable pressure in both groups for all members to 
conform to the dominant culture. In each group, the majority belonging to the
dominant culture will no longer need to maintain the cultural tolerance that
was required to maintain the cohesion of the larger, bicultural group. All
minor cultures in both groups run the risk of being excluded from membership.

This is the situation Canada is in. Because we have two principal cultures,
Canadians have developed a cultural tolerance which has permitted a 
multicultural nation. If we should fragment into 'RestOfCanada' and
'Quebec', our multiculturalism, both in Quebec and in Canada, is at risk. 

As a Canadian of Italian and Dutch descent, I value our multiculturalism.
I hope that we (Quebec and the rest of Canada) can get our relative acts
together, and co-operate in peace. 

John