If you’re not lazy, you’re not Malay,
If you don’t cheat, you’re not Chinese,
If you don’t drink, you’re not Indian.
Quoted from a book entitled ‘Honk! If you are Malaysian’ by Lydia Teh had clearly reflect on the racial stereotypes of some or most citizen in Malaysia, an example of multiracial country. These lopsided viewers of different races and cultures were not just existed in this country but also in other different multiracial country. Why should this non-relevant issue raised instead of being grateful with peculiarities of many cultural practice shared and gained as a multiracial country? Due to these, nurturing multiculturalism spirit is vital as it give many advantages to multiracial country.
Multiculturalism is defined as the acceptance or promotion of multiple ethnicity culture applied and being together in the same society. It helps people that come from different background to learn and understand more about others social background. This will help to avoid misunderstanding and racial prejudices among citizen which can cause riot and lead to a political instability. Besides, we should not feel threatened with other culture and religious. It is really not a big deal at all, instead, the citizen will become more aware and appreciate their own culture and religious to assure the continuity of their culture and learn deeper about their religious so that the next generation knows better about it. As quoted by a French social philosopher, Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1889), ‘Though is very important for man as an individual that his religion should be true, that is not the case for society. Society has nothing to fear or hope from another life, what is most important for it is not that all citizen profess the true religion but that they should profess religion’.
Furthermore, multiculturalism is also an effort in recognizing cultural diversity and promoting the equality of all cultural and tradition which will give great absurdities of multicultural country’s lifestyle. The problem of ethnocentric can be overcome and people will find it easier work hand in hand when doing things that required commitment and corporation among them which comes from different culture. Through this, unity bonding will become stronger as there is more cultural relativism between the people in the country. In addition, people that instill multiculturalism within themselves are less likely to suffer from culture shock when go abroad or enter a new society as they are easier to accept new culture and adapt themselves in a new place.
Apart from these, it can become the asset of tourism. Varieties of culture that practices in the country can attract people from around the world to know more about this and visit the multicultural country to experience and watch the uniqueness of varies culture there. This will help the country to be better known in worldwide, and help in increasing the country’s income. As stated in the TravelDailyNews.com in the article entitled ‘A New Model For European Tourism Is Needed’, ‘The necessity for European Union (EU) to develop a new tourism model based on European multicultural principle and values was highlighted by the Vice President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Mrs. Irini Pari at her key-note speech during the luncheon of the conference.
In conclusion, multiculturalism should be highly considered and instill in all of us especially when living in a multiracial country. As the saying goes, ‘there is no peace without unity’, through this, prosperous and peaceful country will be gained and no more pain and problem of culture rivalry among the citizen of multiracial country.
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