Read the following passage and answer the question:
It is important to recognize and to celebrate the wide range of cultures that exist. Of late differences of opinion has cropped concerning multiculturalism. The multiculturalists argue that we must recognize cultural differences that are legitimately linked to language and religion. In multiculturalism, minority groups see opportunities to play a part in moulding the national culture even as they are molded by it. Campus multiculturalism, variations among students, have tried with some success to talk about how a racially and ethnically diverse student body can enrich everyone's education. For these multiculturalists, differences are absolute, irreducible, and intractable. The hardliners are not interested to allow Americans to belong to more than a single culture, to be both particularisms and Universalists. The time-honored India mixture of assimilation and traditional allegiance is denounced as a danger to racial and gender authenticity. The multiculturalists insist on seeing all perspectives as tainted by the perceiver's particular point of view. Impartial knowledge, they argue, is not possible, because ideas are simply the expression of individual identity that are linked to culture or a language.
Understanding Legitimacy in Multiculturalism
The provided passage discusses the concept of multiculturalism and the arguments surrounding it. A key point raised is what constitutes the basis for recognizing cultural differences within multiculturalism.
Basis for Multiculturalism's Legitimacy
According to the passage, the multiculturalists argue that cultural differences are legitimately recognized when they are connected to specific aspects of identity and heritage. The text explicitly states: "The multiculturalists argue that we must recognize cultural differences that are legitimately linked to language and religion."
This statement directly identifies language and religion as the factors that, according to the multiculturalists discussed in the passage, make multiculturalism legitimate. These elements are seen as core components of cultural identity that warrant recognition and celebration.
Analysis of Options
- Language and religion: This option is directly supported by the text as the basis for legitimacy according to multiculturalists.
- Caste: While caste systems exist in various cultures, the passage does not mention caste as a factor conferring legitimacy upon multiculturalism.
- Ethnicity: Ethnicity is certainly a component of cultural diversity and is mentioned in the context of a "racially and ethnically diverse student body." However, the passage specifically links legitimacy to language and religion, not ethnicity broadly.
- Gender: Gender is mentioned in relation to "gender authenticity" and how traditional allegiance is denounced as a danger to it. While gender is an important aspect of identity, the passage does not cite it as the primary reason for the legitimacy of multiculturalism itself, but rather discusses it in a different context related to authenticity concerns.
Therefore, based on the specific argument presented in the passage, language and religion are identified as the key elements that make multiculturalism legitimate.
Important Questions from Culture and Socialization - Teaching
- Cultures of honour are characterized by strong norms indicating that aggression is :
- According to Anthropologist Edward Hall, the three characteristics of culture are:
A. Culture is shared by members of the group and helps define them
B. Culture is learned, not innate
C. Learning of culture is inter-related with lawful activities
D. Culture is inseparable from communication
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: - Which theories are mentioned in relation to how reality television affects social perceptions?
- How can a multicultural student body benefit students?
- According to the passage, identify the incorrect option for imparting impartial knowledge?
