Multiculturalism In Post Modernity

706 Words3 Pages
Multiculturalism has been pointed out as one of the most conspicuous traits of post-modernity. However, there is a problem regarding the exact social experience the term is suppose to be referring to. Is it about tolerance, communication, understanding or coexistence? It seems that each one of these alternatives does make a huge difference… Post- modernity can be defined as the late 20th-century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism, which represents a departure from modernism and is characterized by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions, a mixing of different artistic styles and media, and a general distrust of theories. With knowledge of this, it becomes evident that post-modernity was a phase in history, which was shaped by multiculturalism. Multiculturalism can be broken down into four major key terms; tolerance, communication, understanding and coexistence. Although multiculturalism is relating to, or containing several cultural or ethnic groups within a society, it is these key terms which shape the exact social experience and give a better understanding to this social experience of multiculturalism. Tolerance can usually be seen as a positive connotation, however in regards to multiculturalism, it is evidently seen as a negative connotation. This means that individuals only tolerate each other’s culture without gaining full insight and understanding of their standards and values, therefore, only limited interaction is made between each culture. In 20th Century, citizens divided themselves into their cultural groups sub-consciously, which then created stereotypes in which made individuals from each culture seem more dependent on the peers of those within the same cultural group. For example, a white woman would not ask a black woman to go out for lunch with her, as it would cause major concern within society. As a
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