First Class

Joy Howard

10-3-97

Paper #2

Pros and Cons of Multiculturalism

In the United States, the people rule, but in order for the people to rule with the best interest in the whole of society in mind they must have an understaning of all cultural elements of society. Many people believe that if multiculturalism is i ncorporated into the curriculum, future voters will have a better foundation from which to govern. But multiculturalism is a topic that has sparked serious debate. Many people believe that it is necessary for the betterment of Americans in our fight for a more culturally accepting society. Many others stand firm in the belief that it will do no more than make cultural differences more evident and harmful. Advocates believe that multiculturalism will benefit society in many ways. It will give majority groups a better understanding of minority groups and enhance, even further, the black person's right to freedom of speech which was oppressed for so long. They also believe that it will further all Americans' right to freedom of expression and that it s hould give everyone more history to learn about. The opposition believe that minority groups already have a pathway established to give the majority groups an understanding of minority individuality, and they believe that enough steps have already been t aken to give everyone the inherent right of freedom of expression. They fear that pertinent historical information will be left out of the curriculum, and finally they argue that white males will ultimately be discriminated against. The pure purpose of multiculturalism in United States curricula is to give everyone a better understanding of the world around them. Many, however, believe that it will be nothing but a detriment to our established society. Multiculturalism is potentially a necessity for o ur society because we are growing more culturally diverse as a nation and with this diversity there is an even greater need to understand other cultures.

Considering the fact that it is the responsibility of American people to govern each other, advocates for the multicultural movement believe that it is necessary to educate Americans about all cultures and aspects of diversity in the United State s. According to Bensimon, demographic changes in the United States will make it even more necessary for the people to understand other cultures (42). Those in opposition to the multicultural movement do not believe that citizens need to be further educa ted on aspects of other societies in order to better govern in the United States. They say that the current mode of governing is already as fair as possible. Many issues that are presented when multiculturalism is discussed are a result of wanting to im prove our democratic society.

One issue that is usually raised when multiculturalism is debated is whether or not majority groups will have a better understanding of minority groups. Proponents of multiculturalism believe that learning more about other cultures will open every one's mind thus allowing minority groups to expand their horizons of expression. They believe that it will be effective in opening minds because it will give people more knowledge and with this further knowledge should come a more accepting people. Prop onents also believe that as more is taught of minority groups and their histories not only will the minorities be able to hold on to tradition, but all Americans will have a better understanding of the minority groups (Taylor 15). The minorities will be able to hold on to their traditions because more people will know about them and therefore it will be easier to express those heritages. As the principles of democracy are applied, with this understanding of minorities, the majority groups will be more accepting of the minority's right to expression. Opinions will also ahve a louder voice in society as this knowledge is taught. In contrast, the opposition believes that the further understanding of the diverse cultures of America will not be an asset i n the fight for a more understanding nation. They believe, in actuality, that "focusing on...multiculturalism may lead to further divisiveness between the races in America" (Wilson 2). This divisiveness is a result of making cultural differenc es blatantly evident. This will actually harm the minority's right to freedom of expression. The opposition does not believe that multiculturalism will do anything but harm the culturally diverse groups of the United States in their quest for more freed om of expression.

An obvious example concerns African Americans, whose freedom of expression was long oppressed. Proponents believe that multiculturalism will further everyone's quest against discrimination. There is still racial tension in the United States, and multiculturalism is another way to build a "bridge over the abyss that divides American blacks and whites" (Wooster). It does this by giving people more information about the fight for freedom that the blacks had to struggle through. Wilson be lieves that this type of education will do no more than temporarily "color blind students to differences" instead of helping them ultimately understand and accept diversity (2). He believes that this will only be a temporary advancement and tha t in the long run the programs will hurt our fight for less discrimination and more access to the freedom of expression.

A basic reason for our society being founded as a democracy was to grant everyone the freedom of expression. Professor Sturm, a Professor Emeritus at Bucknell University and an advocate for multiculturalism in the classroom, believes that this pro gram "takes seriously the principles of freedom and justice" because it will enhance everyone's freedom of expression (1). As the above principles are taken seriously, more people will be able to apply them. It is believed that multicultural e ducation will enhance the freedom of expression not only of minorities, but ultimately that of all Americans by giving us more information from which to draw opinions. In order for Americans to take full advantage of democracy and all of the freedoms tha t come with it, multiculturalists believe that the different aspects of the programs must be implemented. As a result, people will, theoretically, govern themselves. Advocates also believe that freedom of expression will be enhanced due to the fact that there will be a broader base from which to draw opinions in addition to giving people the opportunity to formulate more educated opinions. However, the opposition does not believe any of these arguments. They stand on the principle that it is the respo nsibility of the people to take full advantage of the freedom of expression for themselves, and if they do not, learning more about other cultures will not be a reason to employ this freedom in their lives. This opinion is not the main issue surrounding the topic though.

One of the largest issues brought up over multicultural education is that pertinent historical information will be excluded from curricula due to the fact that more information will be added. Opponents of multiculturalism claim that adding new inf ormation about the histories and cultures of other races will only take away from the history that is taught about this country. Deleting some aspects of our heritage could potentially do no less than erode the pride that all should possess for not only the factual history but also the reason for that history. The opposition states that "Multicultural education rejects the historic American goals of assimilation and integration of ethnic cultures into the majority culture" (Wilson 2). The dem ocracy was formed so that many diverse peoples could live as one, and the opposition believes that be not teaching about our nation's own heritage, the democracy could be ruined. The people who are for multiculturalism believe that this new information w ill not take away from the curricula but add information, depth, and insight on how to live. They stand by the belief that democracy and our fight to achieve it will still be emphasized and appreciated in the learning environment. The additions made to the curricula are necessary in that those additions are presented as "alternate points of view relative to" the information that is already being taught (Wilson 3).

Another issue that is of concern is that white males will be discriminated against. The opposition holds to thi s because they believe that with multiculturalism comes more emphasis on other cultures and minorities. This emphasis is seen as a pos sible threat to the American goal of freedom and democracy because with more stressing of other cultures, there will possibly be more room to ignore the white American male. Some people feel that as the average American is ignored, discrimination will be turned around onto their shoulders thus creating the same problem that multiculturalism or any other anti-discriminatory movement is trying to alleviate. The other side of this argument is that multiculturalsim will give white males more freedom because they will have a greater amount of knowledge from which to draw opinions. It is estimated that "by the year 2000, over 30 percent of our school age population will be children of color" (Bennett 18). If this is the case the white American mal e will be challenged as the majority and thus be discriminated against themselves. Multiculturalism will educate in order to enhance the freedom of expression of white males along with that of minorities; it was not designed to discriminate against anyon e.

The debate continues over the potential benefits and detriments that multiculturalism could cause. The main issue is determining to what extent the new education system of the multicultural movement needs to go to achieve a culturally diverse nati on. There are many questions raised about many different issues on multiculturalism and there are only limited answers for them. If multiculturalism will, in fact, enhance the decision making capabilities of our nation instead of creating senseless turm oil, then is it not a necessity? Will majority groups really gain a better understanding of the minorities? Multiculturalism is supposed to further alleviate segregation in our society, but those in opposition do not believe that it can. They also beli eve that it will not enhance anyone's freedom of expression but that it could, potentially, harm the white male American's first amendment rights. Will it be worth possibly excluding the history of America? All of these arguments together form the contr oversy over this topic. But as we look at the arguments, it becomes apparent that multiculturalism may or may not harm society but the real harm would be not giving it a try.

Works Citeed

Bennett, C. Comprehensive Multicultural Education: Theory and Practice. 3rd ed.

Massachusetts: Allen and Bacon, 1995.

Bensimon, Estela Mara, and Mara Soto. "Can We Rebuild Civic Life Without a

Multiracial University?" Change. Jan. 1997: 42-4.

Sturm, Douglas. "Issues of Multiculturalism as ‘Separatist' Sparks Debate." (1996): 1-2.

Online. Internet. 11 Sept. 1997. Available.

http://www.bucknell.edu/bucknellian/sp96/04-25-96/ops/4911.html

Taylor, Donald M., and Wallace E. Lambert. "The Meaning of Multiculturalism in a

Culturally Diverse Urban American Area." The Journal of Social Psychology. 1

Dec. 1996. 15-20.

Wilson, Keith. "Multicultural Education." 1-4. Online. Internet. 11 Sept. 1997.

Available http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/multicultural/papers/keith.html

Wooster, Martin Morse. "Multiculturalism and the End of the ‘Melting Pot'." The

Washington Times. 13 Apr. 1997. 19.

Joy Howard

12-1-97

Paper 4

Multiculturalism in Education

Since multiculturalism is so broad, there is not a single definition or central theory of what it is. For all purposes, one may define multiculturalism as the knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, religions, roles, relationships , concepts of the universe, material objects and possessions acquired by different groups of people in the course of generations both through individual and group striving (Bennett 13). What we talk about, how we talk about it; what we see, attend to, or ignore; how we think and what we thinka bout are influenced by our culture. Multiculturalism enables us, as humans, to make sense of our surroundings. In order to understand this definition, one must break it down by viewing a certain culture individua lly. One of the functions of a culture is to provide a highly selective screen between man and the outside world. Therefore, culture designates what we pay attention to and what we ignore. People who share a common culture can usually be counted on to behave properly within their culture. Hence, culture reduces the chances of surprise by shielding people from the unknown. Imagine a single day in one's life without access to the guidelines his/her culture provides. Without the rules that govern one's actions, one would soon feel helpless. In this way, culture provides us with structure. Therefore, to lack culture is to lack structure. If our nation is riddled with the problem of no structure there is no way we will succeed. To avoid this problem, a multicultural curricula instills in America's youth a better way to use this democracy that has been established. As democracy is better utilized, freedom of expression will be used in a more effective and correcte manner. The people of our democrati c nation will benefit from the changes that multiculturalism brings by enhancing their freedom of expression.

Multiculturalism is a method that has been devised with the purpose of educating today's students about a wider variety of the cultural aspects of society. The advocates of this movement

believe that an understanding of other cultures will lead to an appreciation of diversity (Jacot 1). Taylor believes that not only will multuculturalism allow the majority groups of America to have a better understanding and appreciation for different cultures, it will also give the minorities the opportunity to hold onto their traditions and beliefs (15). As the minorities hold onto their beliefs, majority groups will be learning about them. This could possibly give each students a common ground to start from. One way in which students will be able to learn more about the different cultures in America is by adding to the curricula of various learning institutions. Dealing with multiculturalism paves the way for freedom of expression to be fully u tilized because universities and colleges are where the bulk of learning will take place.

Multiculturalism has already been applied to some learning environments. The Tyler Junior College in Texas is just one example. A faculty committee had speakers come in for a seminar on "Ethical Issues in Pluralistic America" which was open to the public. The community in which Tyler Junior College is founded held a festival which 2,000 people attended that focused on the theme "That We May All be One" . Their student newspaper also had a series dealing with race relations o n campus that included student interviews (Tyler). At Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Douglas Sturm, a Professor Emeritus of political science, stated that "Bucknell University has made modest but substantial moves in the directi on of multiculturalism in its curriculum and in its organizational structure precisely to overcome the subtle (and not so subtle) forms of racism [and] ethnocentrism..." (Sturm 1). There are not two isolated instances. Many other universities and c olleges have also imparted programs and curricula that have the purpose of making the United States a more unified nation through this type of education. With such diversity in the classroo, it is necessary for every student to unite with each other.

The United States has been referred to as "the melting pot" of the world. This title implies that the cultures have meshed together. In today's society, we do not see this unification of the different races; advocates of multiculturalis m believe that in order ot make this title apparent, it will be necessary for the majority groups to accept the numerous minorities. The Constitution refers to the population of the United States as "We the People", not "We the Peoples&quo t; of the divided nation that we have become (Fallon 4). The United States is a melting pot only to the extent that many different cultures are housed under our roofs; cultures do not mesh to any more of an extent than this. In his article, "Educat ion and Pluralism", Craft states that "The dominant culture...is likely to be taken as the norm to which members of other cultures must conform; lip service may be paid to the notion of an intercultural ‘melting pot', but this is rarely the real ity" (16). The purpose of multiculturalism in education is to teach Americans the concept of the "melting pot". In addition, the object of multiculturalism is to teach students about other cultures so that the "melting pot" is a reality not just a concept. Despite these problems our nation has with making a totally unified group, everyone is still entitled to the rights guaranteed them by the Constitution.

A basic reason for our society being founded as a democracy was to grant everyone the freedom of expression. Professor Sturm, a Professor Emeritus at Bucknell University and an advocate for multiculturalism in the classroom, believes that this pro gram "takes seriously the principles of freedom and justice" because it will enhance everyone's freedom of expression (1). As the above principles are taken seriously, more people will be able to apply them. It is believed that multicultural education will enhance the freedom of expression not only of minorities, but ultimately that of all Americans by giving us more information from which to draw opinions. In order for Americans to take full advantage of democracy and all of the freedoms th at come with it, multiculturalists believe that the different aspects of the programs must be implemented. As a result, people will, theoretically, govern themselves better. Advocates also believe that freedom of expression will be enhanced due to the f act that there will be a broader base from which to draw opinions in addition to giving people the opportunity to formulate more educated opinions.

Freedom of expresion has been an issue ever since the day that the first amendment to the Constitution was made. This amendment states that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech..." This freedom deals with many a spects of life, but mainly with the voicing of opinions. It gives us the right to display, in any manner that does not infringe upon some other person's rights that are guaranteed them by the Constitution, opinions on any matter, as long as responsibilit y is taken for those displays. If responsibility is not taken for this freedom then the purpose of the freedom is defeated. Freedom was designed to allow people to lead a life of their own with only limited restrictions, namely that there is no invasion of anyone else's freedom. When responsibility is not taken, other people's rights can be violated. As responsibility is taken, freedom of expression will be utilized to its fullest.

The right of each person to freedom of expression is unquestionable. In the classroom, it is no different. Harer wrote that "Academic Freedom is the foundation of our democratic educational institutions and is essential to true scholarship a nd intellectual discovery" (18). The freedom of speech/expression is guaranteed in the learning environment. It has even been defended in court many times. In the Sweezy versus New Hampshire case of 1957, the Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warre n wrote a defense of academic freedom, saying "...to impose any straight-jacket upon the intellectual leaders in our colleges and Universities would impel the future of our Nation." As a result of this case more freedom was allotted to professo rs in what could be contained in their curricula. Another case which lead to allowing more freedom of expression in the classroom was the Widmar versus Vincent Supreme Court case. In this case, a religious group sued a university because they were not g iven a place to meet and other groups were. The court found this to violate the student's first amendment rights and therefore made the university give them a place where they could meet. It paved the way for the right to free speech in association with University campuses, in addition to furthering the guarantee of having the first amendment rights upheld.

Multiculturalism can also contribute to freedom of expression in the classroom. This addition to education will inform young adults about many more aspects of culture. As people become more informed about more aspects of the world around them, th ey will have the opportunity to formulate opinions that are based on factual evidence. As they express these opinions, they will have a basis on which to take responsibility for their inherent freedom. It is said that this realization of responsibility will also change each person through the experience of developing these new opinions (Bensimon and Soto 42). In "Counseling for Diversity: A Guide for School Counselors and Related Professionals", it is stated that with further education,

[people] evolve possibilities in his or her personality;...draw from his or her

natural resources and strengths;...help make something available or usable that

[people] need;...help [people] move from a present position or situation to one

providing more opportunity for effective use by the people;...help [people] grow

and differentiate along lines natural to what the people are or want to be;...help

[people] expand by a process of growth (Lee 6).

If this is truly the case then, freedom of expression will be taken advantage of to the fullest because, people will have the knowledge with which to use it and apply it in everyday life. Multiculturalism is simply a way to let people know more about their surroundings so that they can achieve what the above article has stated through the expression of opinions. With the further acknowledgement of the people and cultures in the United States, opinions can be based on experience and facts learned from those who are different.

Multiculturalism also tries to create an environment where more opinions can be developed. Further knowledge gives way to a broader specturm on which more opinionscan be formed. This is because when more is known, more can be understood and proce ssed to later be used as opinion. The freedom of expression will be utilized as these opinions are formed and expressed.

Multiculturalism is a topic that has incurred serious debate. Many people believe that it is necessary for the betterment of Americans in our fight for a more culturally accepting society. Many others stand firm in the belief that it will do no m ore than make cultural differences a more evident and harmful factor of society. Advocates believe that multiculturalism will benefit society in many ways. It will give majority groups a better understanding of minority groups and enhance, even further, the black person's right to freedom of speech which was oppressed for so long. They also believe that it will further all American's right to freedom of expression and that it should give everyone more history to learn about. The opposition believes th at minority groups already have a pathway established to give the majority groups an understanding of the minority's individuality and they believe that enough steps have already been taken to give everyone the inherent right to freedom of expression. Th ey also fear that pertinent historical information will be left out of the curriculum, and finally they argue that white males will ultimately be discriminated against.

The right to freedom of expression is a basic axiom of a democratic society. Considering the fact that it is the responsibility of American people to govern each other in a democratic society, advocates for the multicultural movement believe that it is necessary to educate Americans about all cultures and aspects of diversity in the United States. According to Bensimon, demographic changes in the United States will make it even more necessary for the people to understand other cultures (42). Tho se in opposition to the multicultural movement do not believe that citizens need to be further educated on aspects of other societies in order to better govern in the United States. They say that the current mode of governing is already as fair as possib le. Many issues that are presented when multiculturalism is discussed are a result of wanting to improve our democratic society.

One issue that is usually raised when multiculturalism is debated is whether or not

majority groups will have a better understanding of minority groups. Proponents of multiculturalism believe that learning more about other cultures will open everyone's mind thus allowing minority groups to expand their horizons of expression. They b elieve that it will be effective in opening minds because it will give people more knowledge and with this further knowledge should come a more accepting people. Proponents also believe that as more is taught of minority groups and their histories not on ly will the minorities be able to hold on to tradition, but all Americans will have a better understanding of the minority groups (Taylor 15). The minorities will be able to hold on to their traditions because more people will know about them and therefo re it will be easier to express those heritages. As the principles of democracy are applied, with this understanding of minorities, the majority groups will be more accepting of the minority's right to expression. Opinions will also have a louder voice in society as this knowledge is taught. In contrast, the opposition believes that the further understanding of the diverse cultures of Amierca will not be an asset in the fight for a more understanding nation. They belive, in acutality that, "focus ing on...multiculturalism may lead to further divisiveness between the races in America" (Wilson 2). This divisiveness is a result of making cultural differences blatantly evident. This will actually harm the minority's situation. The opposition d oes not believe that multiculturalism will do anything but harm the culturally diverse groups of the United States in their quest for more freedom of expression.

An obvious example concerns African Americans, whose freedom of expression was long oppressed. Proponents believe that multiculturalism will further everyone's quest against discrimination. There is still racial tension in the United States, and multiculturalism could be another way to build a "bridge over the abyss that divides American blacks and whites" (Wooster). It does this by giving people more information about the fight for freedom that the blacks had to struggle through. Wil son believes that this type of education will do no more than temporarily "color blind students to differences" instead of helping them ultimately understand and accept diversity (2). He believes that this will only be a temporary advancement a nd that in the long run the programs will hurt our fight for less discrimination and more acess to the freedom of expression.

One of the largest issues brought up over multicultural education is that pertinent historical information will be excluded for curricula due to the fact that more information will be added. Opponents of multiculturalism claim that adding new info rmation about the histories and cultures of other races will only take away from the history that is taught about this country. Deleting some aspects of our heritage could potentially do no less than erode the pride that all should possess for not only t he factualy history but also the reason for that history. The opposition states that "Multicultural education rejects the historic American goals of assimilation and integration of ethnic cultures into the majority culture" (Wilson 2). The dem ocracy was formed so that many diverse peoples could live as one, and the opposition believes that by not teaching about our nation's own heritage, the democracy could be ruined. The people who are for multiculturalism believe that this new information w ill not take away from the curriculua but add information, depth, and insight on how to live. They stand by the belief that democracy and our fight to achieve it will stil be emphasized and appreciated int eh learning environment. The additions made to the curricula are necessary in that those additions are presented as "alternate points of view relative to" the information that is already being taught (Wilson 3).

Another issue that is of concern is that white males will be discriminated against. The opposition holds to this because they believe that with multiculturalism comes more emphasis on other cultures and minorities. This emphasis is seen as a poss ible threat to the American goal of freedom and democracy because with more stressing of other cultures, there will possibly be more room to ignore the white American male. Some people feel that as the average American is ignored, discrimination will be turned around onto their shoulders thus creating the same problem that multiculturalism or any other anti-discriminatory movement is trying to alleviate. The other side of this argument is that multiculturalism will give white males more freedom, therefo re not discriminating against them. They will have more freedom because they will have a greater amount of knowledge from which to draw opinions. It is estimated that "by the year 2000, over 30 percent of our school age population will be children of color" (Bennett 18). If this is the case the white American male will be challenged as the majority and thus be discriminated against themselves. Multiculturalism will educate in order to enhance the freedom of expression of white males along wi th that of the minorities; it was not designed to discriminate against anyone.

Even within the dominant mainstream culture, we as humans are unable to accept diversity. For example, we find ourselves deeply divided over such issues as right to life versus freedom of choice. When we must cope with the diversity of customs, v alues, views, and behaviors inherited in a multicultural society, we find ourselves in a much greater state of frustration. As our society continues to accept immigrants and refugees, we will find a continuing increase in cultural diversity. A culturall y diverse society can exist if and only if diversity if permitted to flourish.

Until recently, Americans had little contact with other cultures, even within America. Members of nonwhite races were segregated. Only in recent years have laws changed to foster integrated schools, workforce, and to some extent, neighborhoods. In addition, those who made up the vast white middle Euro-America remained at home, rarely leaving their own country (Fuchs). This situation, of course, has changed remarkably. We are now a mobile culture among ever increasing mobile cultures.

This increased contact with other cultures makes it imperative for us, as humans, to make a concerned effort to understand and to get along with people who may be vastly different. The ability, through increased awareness and understanding, to exi st peacefully with people who do not necessarily share a background, beliefs, values, customs, habits, or lifestyles can benefit human society. To better understand people from other cultures, we must learn to appreciate their diversity. This means that we must learn to tolerate what is different and even appreciate diversity. Such appreciation will help us develop a perspective that makes multiculturalism more likely to be successful. Understanding how people in other cultures view their world is als o crucial to the success of multiculturalism.

Many of the problems confronting both students and teachers in culturally diverse classrooms are traceable, once again, to culture. In fact, interactions between teachers and pupils from different cultures are problematic and cross-cultural misund erstandings often occur because classroom interaction is deeply rooted in the culture of a society. Therefore, educators need to call upon appropriate intercultural communication skills to support the "learning process" (Chisolm). It is obviou s that when students and teachers adapt to one another's cultural values and preferred interaction patterns, shared understanding is achieved and learning is promoted.

Once background information about the various cultures represented in the classroom is determined, an examination of student learning styles will further enhance multiculturalism. A learning style is a particular way that an individual or individu als receive and process information (Wilson, R.G.). Research indicates that culture plays a significant role in the way students approach learning. For example, Stodolsky and Lesser studied the mental patterns and abilities of Chinese, Jewish, black, an d Puerto Rican children. They found that patterns among the mental abilities were different for all four cultural groups and that these patterns remained stable despite social background (Walters, R.).

There is also language diversity that exists in the classrooms of the United States. Teachers try to approach this by what they call bilingual education, in which students who do not speak the language of school are taught partly in the language o f their homes, and partly in the language of the school. The goal of bilingual education is to move students to English-only instruction as soon as possible. Although much controversy exists within the United States regarding the effectiveness of progra ms such as bilingual education, the fact remains that teachers must face students who are limited to their English proficiency. Not only must teachers instruct these students each day, but they are also responsible for ensuring that these students get th e quality education they deserve. Teachers in multicultural classrooms would benefit from a knowledge of the cultural heritage of their students because students try to rely on functional norms from the classroom of their original culture. Because cultu res approach learning differently, an awareness of the various learning styles should be considered as a means of determining how best to enhance an individual student's learning.

When elevated to its highest level, multiculturism becomes an "act" in which participants not only make inferences about their own roles, but also about the roles of others as well (Sturm). This act of mutual role taking must exist befor e people can achieve a level of multiculturalism that results in mutual understanding. In multiculturalism, one must know about their own culture and the culture of the person whom they are associating with. Unless there is a mutual acknowledgement of e ach other's cultures and a willingness to accept those cultures, multiculturalism cannot rise to its highest level possible.

As the United States continues its development into a multicultural society, there is an increased need and opportunity for effective communication between the dominant culture and the co-cultures as well as the co-cultures themselves (Lynch).

Effective communication can come about only when we remove prejudice and stereotypes from our lives and develop an understanding of what each culture is really like. Frequently, prejudices and stereotypes lead to assumptions about members of co-cu ltures that are false, hurtful, and insulting.

Multiculturalism is built into the curricula of American Universities as a way of opening the eyes and minds of the future of this society. It has been created to form unity within the United States as a result of educating the people about each o ther. As people of the United States become more educated about other cultures they will have more knowledge to base opinions on. When opinions are based on fact, more responsibility can be taken for them. As we start to recognize each other as equals and not just another culture, we will continue to become a more unified nation of knowledge and education. Revealing this colorful spectrum enables students to be enriched and gain a deep respect for what makes this country so great: variety, difference , and individuality. Multiculturalism is where we get an understanding of each other and the different cultures.

Multiculturalism enhances the decision making capabilities of our nation instead of creating senseless turmoil. Multiculturalism will further alleviate segregation in our society and it will enhance everyone's freedom of expression. It is apparen t that multiculturalism can really do no harm and that real harm would be done if it was not given a try. Our mobility, increased contact among cultures, a global economy and market place, and the emergence of multicultural organizations require that we develop abilities appropriate to a multicultural society.

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Available http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/multicultural/papers/keith.htnl

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