Pearls and Irritations

In an increasingly globalised world where opportunity invites immigration, multiculturalism plays a significant role in facilitating deeper connections and embracing cultural diversity.

A multicultural environment provides a uniform playing field and creates pathways of opportunity and future progress for all members, irrespective of their cultural or ethnic backgrounds. The belief that cultural identities should be preserved and supported with the aim of creating a socially inclusive and culturally secular environment is the next step in building a world free of bias.

The 19th-century Ubuntu philosophy “I am because of who we all are” needs to be revisited and adopted as the way forward in embracing multiculturalism. We have to inspire each other to want to have a brighter, more-inclusive future, just as Ubuntu teaches us about togetherness and working toward the greater good.

Economic migration gathered pace in the wake of World War II, and countries started witnessing the transition from a monocultural to a multicultural environment. Multiculturalism, more popularly known as “diversity within unity,” captures the essence of various cultures coexisting peacefully. Quite a few nations have declared national holidays as a sign of respect to the different nationalities residing in and contributing to the respective nations’ progress.

The positive impact of a multicultural society has far-reaching implications for the future. Take the example of the Lion City’s approach to bridging gaps among its multiple racial groups by declaring Hari Raya Puasa, Vesak, Deepavali, and many others as national holidays to ensure that all residents get accustomed to and accept each other’s traditional practices and customs. Interracial festivities and cross-cultural celebrations create a certain bonhomie leading to close bonds at grassroots level, which results in increased cohesion and a stronger nation. To promote integration and cross-cultural integration, the city-state’s Housing Board introduced a policy specifying the proportion of flats owned by various ethnic groups in the estates. Today, these have become shining symbols of Singapore, where people of all races and ethnicities live, work, play and socialise in harmony.

Hong Kong could adopt some of these proven measures to minimise racial discrimination and promote better cross-cultural understanding that befits our reputation as an East-West melting pot. It certainly dovetails with our current effort to make Hong Kong an even more inviting city to visit, live and work.

In the long term, we must promote multiculturalism as it will play a significant role in shaping our future way of life. We can start by launching a cultural awareness campaign, with a view to making it an annual event. It will not only benefit our residents, it might even become a tourist draw. It will certainly draw our various ethnic groups closer together.

On May 21, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), declared, “On this day, UNESCO would like to call upon everyone to celebrate cultural diversity, through which we will be able to build the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind.” The day celebrates the richness of the world’s cultures as well as focuses on the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. It is up to individual nations to take ownership and imbibe the spirit of multiculturalism in their respective context.

The perceived difference in diversity versus multiculturalism may be small but has a much deeper meaning. Diversity refers to people of various ethnicities living together who have adapted to their local culture, language and norms and may run the risk of becoming ignorant of one’s own culture and a loss of cultural identity. In comparison, multiculturalism refers to retaining and preserving one’s cultural identity in the mixture of the total population. Is it important for a society or a workplace to be diverse or multicultural? In a world where most societies are a melting pot of cultures, encouraging multicultural dialogue will ensure that distinct identities of all groups are recognised and supported, and cultural sensitisation is a top priority. A person’s distinctive culture is not only important to one’s identity, but it also ensures that every member is confident that they have a place at the table, making them feel empowered to contribute and bring a fresh, new perspective.

Differences in perspectives, viewpoints and opinions ultimately enrich the social fabric by increasing awareness of individual cultural identities, as well as the cross-cultural linkages between various nations. In my work, I have uncovered striking similarities among the traditional practices and rituals around the world. Take, for instance, the very popular boat races around the world, which are celebrated with equal gusto and under such different names as Dragon Boat Festival in China, Snake Boat Race in India, and the Boat Race in London, to name a few. Another striking example is the kite-flying festivals in Weifang (China), Bali (Indonesia), Gujarat (India), Sydney (Australia), and Washington (US). All these cultural linkages that bind us universally are unknown, and awareness building is needed to improve cross-cultural understanding and acceptance.

By the very definition of culture, vast nations — such as India and the People’s Republic of China — with their many diverse ethnic tribes and long histories are inherently multicultural. Thus, historically these societies have been inclusive and thus been able to benefit from the merits of diversity in culture or multiculturalism. That makes their history, traditions and cultural landscape rich with an immense variety.

For the younger generation, the impact of growing up in a multicultural society is unforgettable. First and foremost, they will be moulded as leaders and change-makers of the future and are getting equipped with skills intrinsic to communication, business and their respective career options. Once people are exposed to a multicultural life, they gain an open mind devoid of negative stereotypes. Growing up with a diverse group of different cultural identities gives one an increased level of tolerance and perspectives, which in turn makes a country more progressive.

A quote by Rabindranath Tagore sums it up: “Let us unite, not in spite of our differences, but through them. For differences can never be wiped away, and life would be so poorer without them. Let all human races keep their own personalities, and yet come together, not in a uniformity that is ideas, but in a unity that is living.”

First published by CHINA DAILY HK August 23, 2023

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