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Date:11/08/2006 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/11/stories/2006081105950200.htm 

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Tamil Nadu - Chennai 

 

Multiculturalism and more 

 

Staff Reporter 

 

"It is sharing of power, privileges"  

 

 

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Multiculturalism means sharing of power, privileges: educationalist 

Speaker calls for a social, political movement against racism, sexism,
classism 

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Chennai: Authentic multiculturalism is not just about appreciating
diversity. It means the sharing of power and privileges, educationalist Paul
C. Gorski said here on Tuesday. 

 

"Most privileged people - people with the power to shape policy and
perception - see multiculturalism only in terms of heroes and holidays," Mr.
Gorski said at a lecture organised by the U.S. Consulate General for South
India and MOP Vaishnav College for Women. 

 

He called for a social and political movement against racism, sexism,
classism and other forms of oppression. 

 

Mr. Gorski, one of the directors of the National Association for
Multicultural Education in the U.S., suggested ways to promote
multiculturalism. 

 

`Support power equity' 

 

 

They include building of personal relationships across cultures, promoting
businesses owned by disadvantaged communities and supporting policies that
distribute power equitably. Also, stereotyping of groups (for instance, `all
women drivers are bad') should be eliminated from one's consciousness. 

 

`Heroes and holidays' 

 

 

"Historically, oppressed groups see us adopting their fashions, music, even
their religions, but doing little to address their oppression," he said. In
the `heroes and holidays' approach, only surface level learning of cultural
traits and events is obtained. 

 

Deeper issues of rights, power and privilege need to be worked on, Mr.
Gorski said.

 

 

 

(c) Copyright 2000 - 2006 The Hindu

  

 





Bill Howe 
 <http://www.billhowe.org/> http://www.billhowe.org - Multicultural
Educators to South Africa 2006 - Join Me on this Exciting Trip
 
Past-President 

National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME)
 <http://www.nameorg.org/> http://www.nameorg.org