Critical Multiculturalism

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='mommas_boy' post='1549743' date='May 30 2008, 05:03 PM']Hi Micah,

Thanks for the reply. Any idea which school he's at? Also, you mentioned that "the situations are close", could you clarify what you mean by that?

Thanks, and Pax Christi![/quote]
I don't know what school he works at, no, but I can say he's associated with St. John Cantius parish and attends the University of Dallas during the regular school year. I'd give his name, but hey, it's the internet.

[Era Might]

[quote name='mommas_boy' post='1549776' date='May 30 2008, 05:38 PM']Hmm. Maybe I should get this CD? There seems to be much more to it here that I don't understand. Clearly, Fr. Pacwa is not advocating homogeneity. What are the problems with pluralism?[/quote]
I haven't heard the CD, but he is speaking of these things to the extent that they are ideologies. Multiculturalism has become an ideology in recent decades, and the root of that ideology is relativism. That doesn't mean there cannot be a legitimate respect for other cultures. The Church flourishes in many cultures. But the Church puts truth at the center of her respect for other cultures.

[quote]...the Church opens her doors and becomes the house which all may enter, and in which all can feel at home, while keeping their own culture and traditions, provided that these are not contrary to the Gospel.

--Pope John Paul II, Encyclical Letter "Redemptoris Missio"[/quote]

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Raphael' post='1549783' date='May 30 2008, 05:44 PM']I don't know what school he works at, no, but I can say he's associated with St. John Cantius parish and attends the University of Dallas during the regular school year. [b]I'd give his name, but hey, it's the internet.[/b][/quote]

:grin:

Cool cool. I've heard good things about Cantius, but never got over there.

[FreeSoul]

[quote]Multiculturalism has become an ideology in recent decades, and the root of that ideology is relativism[/quote]

I think that would depend on the context, because in practice a multicultural school that shaped curriculum around moral relativism or any other ideology without critiquing itself would be at odds with its own purpose.

I think the important factor here would be to investigate prior to teaching if that is in fact the case at the school, rather than throwing the baby out with the bath water, because in my opinion Toronto is a fantastic city, and I my Catholic life has not been threatened, and also we do not have nearly the same forms of racism (although I am not ignorant - we have a significant amount) as that which exists in regions of the United States. This is almost exclusively due to the policy of multiculturalism and the institutions which protect it (i.e. the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal)

Edited May 30, 2008 by FreeSoul

[Era Might]

[quote name='FreeSoul' post='1549791' date='May 30 2008, 05:49 PM']I think that would depend on the context, because in practice a multicultural school that shaped curriculum around moral relativism or any other ideology without critiquing itself would be at odds with its own purpose.[/quote]
In my (admittedly limited) experience, relativism has affected education, at least indirectly. I'm an English major, and I don't like when teachers just leave interpretations to the individual, and say that there is no right interpretation. Classes become about nothing more than feelings and personal opinion. To a certain degree, I am not against interpretation. We all have different perspectives on literature. But I think teachers should teach more with facts, and challenge more with sound, scholarly, and traditional interpretations. They don't necessarily have to tell the student, "This is what the text means." But I think a teacher has to lead them in the right direction, and that requires the teacher to assert himself into the discussion. A teacher cannot just be a facilitator. He has to encourage thinking, but he also has to give students the basic foundation on which to think, and this requires him to be grounded in the truth.

[quote name='FreeSoul' post='1549791' date='May 30 2008, 05:49 PM']I think the important factor here would be to investigate prior to teaching if that is in fact the case at the school[/quote]
I can't comment on this specific school, because I don't know anything about it. I can only speak in general, that multiculturalism and relativism are often related. Sometimes it is not so much relativism, as contempt for Christianity and the West. "Multiculturalism" can be a way to replace those two things. In America, for example, sometimes Hispanic or Native American writers express disregard for Christianity in favor of the pagan religions of their ancestors.

[CatherineM]

I live in a very multicultural neighborhood. Our condo has 12 units, and there are people from 9 different countries living here. I love it. The problem comes when people use the word multiculturalism to mean everything is allowed except Christianity because we are the oppressors. That's when things go wacko.

[FreeSoul]

[quote]In my experience, relativism has affected education, at least indirectly. I'm an English major, and I don't like when teachers just leave interpretations to the individual, and say that there is no right interpretation. Classes become about nothing more than feelings and personal opinion. To a certain degree, I am not against interpretation. We all have different perspectives on literature. But I think teachers should teach more with facts, and challenge more with sound, scholarly, and traditional interpretations. They don't necessarily have to tell the student, "This is what the text means." But I think a teacher has to lead them in the right direction, and that requires the teacher to assert himself into the discussion. A teacher cannot just be a facilitator. He has to encourage thinking, but he also has to give students the basic foundation on which to think, and this requires him to be grounded in the truth.[/quote]

All of this fine in the practice of a multiculturalism in the classroom, as long as the teacher identifies the perspectives that they bring to the classroom, and this is my point.

If you are Catholic you can say, I believe in an absolute truth as long as you identify that it is because you are Catholic. The conflict with critical multiculturalism only comes if and when you say this is truth - because it just is, because a school should be a place for critical thought and the student is not subjected to your belief as fact (even if Era and FreeSoul know this to BE fact). In other words - where there is a difference of belief - it is good to acknowledge, included and respect its place in curriculum- even if not agreed with. No - this is not always easy!

[quote]In America, for example, sometimes Hispanic or Native American writers express disregard for Christianity in favor of the pagan religions of their ancestors.[/quote]

But can't we see why? African and Indigenous cultures were nearly obliterated by European settlers and so it is natural that people look back to where they came from in order to understand who they are! We understand that the english language is often the 'language of commerce' although, if it was forced on a group of people, and then that same group of people was systemically denied access to equal education for decades would they not want to bastardize it?? If we acknowledge peoples histories, political and spiritual - then we can reconcile them (and I do not use the word reconcile lightly!)

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='FreeSoul' post='1549791' date='May 30 2008, 05:49 PM']I think that would depend on the context, because in practice a multicultural school that shaped curriculum around moral relativism or any other ideology [b]without critiquing itself would be at odds with its own purpose[/b].[/quote]

I teach science. Believe me, we'll be doing a lot of that in my classroom.

[quote]I think the important factor here would be to investigate prior to teaching if that is in fact the case at the school, rather than throwing the baby out with the bath water, because in my opinion Toronto is a fantastic city, and I my Catholic life has not been threatened, and also we do not have nearly the same forms of racism (although I am not ignorant - we have a significant amount) as that which exists in regions of the United States. This is almost exclusively due to the policy of multiculturalism and the institutions which protect it (i.e. the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal)[/quote]

Don't get me wrong; I'm still going to apply there. To be absolutely honest, I think that it is my first choice school for the fall. I [b]know[/b] that I am called to be a public school teacher here in Chicago, and the thing about this school that I don't feel from others is that there is an incredible sense of commitment and spirit in a small-school setting. The principal has vision and drive, and really works with the teachers, and the school has a strong emphasis on [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_pedagogy"]critical pedagogy[/url], which, in my experience, is all but required to reach students in an urban setting such as this. One may even use the same pedagogy to teach students about the dangers of contraception as an injustice. Talk about being a subversive!

Mostly, my question was in regards to what were some of the [b]potential[/b] theological dangers of the issue, so that I may inform my own conscience, and so that I know what aspects of the philosophy to avoid should I decide to work there. [b]From what I understand about multiculturalism, it is not the spirit of multiculturalism that we should be concerned with, as this spirit is based on the legitimate desire to include others. Instead, what gives cause to worry about multiculturalism is the unintended byproduct in the culture of relativism that it can sometimes create[/b].

[FreeSoul]

Sorry sorry....didn't mean to tangent there....I just got all fired up about multiculturalism...oooooooooooops

[Winchester]

Didn't multiculturalism destroy the Roman Empire?

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Winchester' post='1549849' date='May 30 2008, 06:38 PM']Didn't multiculturalism destroy the Roman Empire?[/quote]

If by "multiculturalism" you mean us Catholics, then yes!

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='FreeSoul' post='1549773' date='May 30 2008, 05:36 PM']I forgot to address this part.

Slavery was the result of imperialism, in other words ... [i]the complete opposite of multiculturalism. [/i] The slaves were not Christians but were [b]forced [/b]to be Christians.[/quote]
Actually, that's inaccurate. Many slave-traders and slave-holders considered the slaves to be unworthy (or incapable) of accepting Christianity. It was often they who wanted to be Christian because they saw a life of hope in Christian belief, and it was Pope Gregory XVI who ardently supported the rights of slaves to become Christians (and supported the need to evangelize them in the midst of many who said they should not be evangelized). It was also Gregory XVI who placed automatic excommunication on anyone involved in the slave trade in the Canary Islands.

God bless,

Micah

[FreeSoul]

I am specifically addressing the comment about american slaves, after they were socialized out of their traditional cultures. They were allowed to have churches, but they had to be separate. The Catholic Church usually had a very different stance on slavery and colonialism, partially due to dogma, and partially their political competition with other european countries.

------

also, slaves in Africa typically were transients who were being adopted into a different tribe, but could assimilate and work their way up in society or buy their way into freedom.

When the trans-atlantic slave trade began, this ended and the slaves were given new names and forced to adopt another identity, but denied the ability to participate in the greater culture (no voting, no schools, no church) because they were not seen as human beings (if that is what you mean by 'unworthy'. So the statement about Africans wanting to be Christian is a half-truth, it was as much about becoming politically salient in a monolithic culture as the desire to achieve salvation.

Edited May 31, 2008 by FreeSoul

[Galloglasses]

[quote name='mommas_boy' post='1549728' date='May 30 2008, 03:44 PM'][1]Please define your understanding of "critical multiculturalism" so that we all know that we are talking about the same thing. Also, I'm not so certain that my understanding of the term is as advanced as I would like, and so the discussion should be helpful.[/quote]
Critical Multiculturalism=Criticise Traditional/Dominent/National/Social/Religious to your fullest extent while promoting the good aspects of every other culture possible. Include others, exclude your own. Basically what England did in regards to multiculturalism, in seeking to reconcile all cultures, they sacrificed their own and are slowly becoming cultureless.

[quote][2]Please list any strengths that you are familiar with in regards to the term.[/quote]
Strengths: Helps students of different backgrounds, especially if such students are in the minority in the classroom, feel included and more secure in their identity.

[quote][1]Please list any weaknesses / areas of worry that you are aware of.[/quote]
Weaknesses: Sours opinion of said Traditional/Dominent/National/Social/Religious Culture in the majority of the classroom and many Students of said culture become dissillusioned and more or less dislike or even hate (don't hate, appreciate) the culture they came from. Look what happens to students in Berkely.

Not a very detailed reply, but its half 2 in the morning here, may reply again later.

Edited May 31, 2008 by Galloglasses

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Galloglasses' post='1550038' date='May 30 2008, 09:25 PM']Critical Multiculturalism=Criticise Traditional/Dominent/National/Social/Religious to your fullest extent while promoting the good aspects of every other culture possible. Include others, exclude your own. Basically what England did in regards to multiculturalism, in seeking to reconcile all cultures, they sacrificed their own and are slowly becoming cultureless.
Strengths: Helps students of different backgrounds, especially if such students are in the minority in the classroom, feel included and more secure in their identity.
Weaknesses: Sours opinion of said Traditional/Dominent/National/Social/Religious Culture in the majority of the classroom and many Students of said culture become dissillusioned and more or less dislike or even hate (don't hate, appreciate) (don't hate (don't hate, appreciate), appreciate) the culture they came from. Look what happens to students in Berkely.

Not a very detailed reply, but its half 2 in the morning here, may reply again later.[/quote]

Interesting replies, and thank you for them. I agree with you that concerns that you listed are legitimate dangers, but I believe that none of them are impossible to recover from, if the teacher is skilled at this. For instance, I can be critical of American culture and slavery as is being discussed elsewhere in this thread, but still not hate (don't hate, appreciate) and loathe my culture. I believe that any failure in this regard is not the fault of the pedagogy, but is instead the failure of the teacher to temper their efforts. Still, as the teacher who would be responsible for this task, it is good to that we discuss them. So, what ideas might you have to counter-act this side-effect?