Assimilation and Multicultural in bilingual education within the Research Paper

Assimilation and Multicultural in bilingual education within the sociopolitical context - Research Paper Example The world is fast becoming a global melting point of people from different cultural, ethical, religious and social backgrounds. Cities around the world are becoming more and more cosmopolitan as the effect of globalization, industrialization, trade; commerce and immigration are being realized. The unprecedented increase in diversity especially in the first world countries has called for tolerance and coexistence. Indeed there has been a raging debate with two contrary opinions on dealing with this issue of diversity. Some people see the assimilation of smaller ethnic groups as a way of creating uniformity and cohesiveness. This is especially an issue in the USA where diversity is perhaps the most widespread. Proponents backing this ideology of assimilation are of the view that smaller ethnic minorities should be encouraged to adopt the dominant culture, in this the White culture, for the sake of national unity and cohesiveness. However opponents of the idea of assimilation foster ano ther ideology. The idea of multiculturalism is widely supported by almost all ethnic groups that argue that assimilation will put their different cultures at risk of erosion that may eventually lead to extinction. Some provisions have been made in the education system to embrace this diversity and possibly preserve the different cultures of all these communities. Schools therefore have become fundamental in trying to foster tolerance, understanding and coexistence in the society. Assimilation is commonly defined as the ideological stand that members of a different ethnic community should give up their heritage culture and adopt a more â€Å"American† way of life.... Indeed this view widely held especially amongst the White working class families who view other communities as ‘outsiders’. Recently in Europe, leaders have taken stands in support of assimilation as the best way to realize unity. German Chancellor Angel Merkel was quoted in 2010 as saying â€Å"This multicultural approach has failed, utterly failed.†British Prime Minister David Cameron also lent his support to the assimilation agenda by saying that multiculturalism should be faulted, as it is responsible for the ‘weakening of national identity’. Perhaps this issue is not as divisive and controversial in Europe as an American. The diversity of American society has elicited very many different opinions on the cultural issue with both intra and inter-groups opinions also tending to differ. Multiculturalism refers to an ideology held by some people that these small ethnic minority groups should not only be allowed to maintain their culture but also to pr omote it in the spirit of coexistence and tolerance. Multiculturalism challenges and rejects racism and other forms of discrimination in schools and society, and accepts and affirms pluralism (Micro, 1992). Supporters are adamant with the reasoning that multiculturalism promotes multicultural tolerance and conserve each group’s contribution (Glazer, Moyniham 1970 Greely 1974, Novak 1972). Those who oppose multiculturalism point to the potential that this could have on negatively diversifying the society and create language barriers. Many pundits and interested parties have moved more towards the revival of multiculturalism as they see it as not only a solution for creating