The Multiculturalism Problem

Living in a multicultural society has never been easy. There are many aspects that keep people closer like language, race, culture, religion or myths; the same aspects, however, can be sources of conflict when extremism, antagonism or even beliefs are at stake. Although many people claim that discrimination is not socially acceptable and no one considers himself to be prejudiced, in modern societies, be it Europe or America, full integration becomes extremely difficult especially when people suffer segregation for religious, racist, cultural or sexist reasons. All too often in the name of integration minorities are required to deny their entire way of life and conform to the mainstream (the majority culture). They are told to fit into a society that may be openly hostile to them and ostracises them. They are treated as outsiders. Black people have suffered the stigma of colour and they have often expressed their anger through crime, hate or prejudice. Mexicans have had difficulty in inserting into American society and even today they are discriminated against. And what to say about brown-skinned Muslims after September 11? Rightly or wrongly they have been the target of prejudice and discrimination and even persecution. And the Portuguese have always been looked down by Americans who don’t even know where Lisbon lies. It’s not a joke, but I read on the Net that when the German Chancellor, Merkl, came back from America, the American Press referred she had stayed a couple of nights in Lisbon and said Lisbon was located on the west coast of Africa!!!! It’s outrageous!