I have seen the term multicultural society used many times in many various ways in Australia. And I wonder to myself, why do people use a term such as multicultural society to refer to Australian society? Is it because we find people living in Australia who originate from different countries and from different ethnic and religious backgrounds? Yet, these people all live in Australia now. When people take the pledge to become Australian citizens, they pledge to adopt Australian beliefs and values, which is one uniting, overarching Australian culture. My expectation therefore is that when people move to Australia they will eventually become part of Australian society and culture.
Of course different people across Australia may indeed have different beliefs and practices on a personal level and a group level, which is also referred to as culture, but I would suggest the country has one uniting cultural background which all people who live in Australia should strive to assimilate towards.
Of course different people across Australia may indeed have different beliefs and practices on a personal level and a group level, which is also referred to as culture, but I would suggest the country has one uniting cultural background which all people who live in Australia should strive to assimilate towards.
To avoid confusion, I would rather suggest terms like diverse backgrounds, or diverse ethnic origins be used instead, or else say only we are a society that allows a fair go for all, irrespective of personal beliefs and backgrounds, and we unite together as one people: as Australians.
What do you think? In the long run, I foresee most nations will contain people who look widely different from each other, but I hope that in these countries the individuals concerned can all work together towards being one nation too.
Link to related blog post:
What is culture?
Link to related blog post:
What is culture?
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