INTEGRATION,
MULTICULTURALISM, AND
ASSIMILATION
By Sylvie Thomas and Nicola Walters
INTEGRATION: A DEFINITION


The voluntary act of accepting
as well as adopting the
identity of a local
Note : there exists an actual
desire to be welcomed into and
to actively become a part of
society
MULTICULTURALISM: A
DEFINITION



The retention of one’s own personal
culture and beliefs, while pledging
loyalty to the newfound community
in which one lives and is
surrounded by
Original Identity (language,
cultural customs/practices,
religious beliefs, food, etc.) + New
language, new
customs/practices, new
religious beliefs, new foods =
New Identity
No one identity prevails
ASSIMILATION: A DEFINITION

The forcible integration of an
individual into a new society


In effect, and as a result,
“forced” individual must accept
the values, cultural customs,
beliefs, practices, ideologies of
this new society
The problem with
assimilation: the individual
adapting to new society faced
with challenge of choosing
between original identity and
new, imposing identity
MULTICULTURALISM IN THE USA

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Various parallel communities, but accepted
because people don’t question their identities.
No “levels” of being American.
Achievement of citizenship via living there the
correct amount of years (5 years on a permanent
resident card) and passing the citizenship test.
CONT…

“Immigrants permeate the fabric of America.
They are an integral and important part of our
society, its goals and its values. They are the
backbone that helps make this country great.
They are what sets us apart from every nation in
this world. In short they are us.”

“In the Mix”
CONT…


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BBC NEWS:
Ethnic and racial diversity – the “melting pot” –
is celebrated as a core element of the American
ideology.
“Bagels and pizzas and spaghetti were new
things at one time… immigrants come and
change America and are changed by America.” –
Douglas Revlin
CONT…

Beginning to fear foreign cultures (9.11)


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The power of “political memory”
Radical shift in how certain Americans view other
countries.
HB-56 – Police are allowed to racially profile anyone
they suspect as being illegal. All contracts with
undocumented immigrants are voided (Child support,
leases, jobs) Crime for undocumented immigrants
apply for a drivers license or a job. Must now carry
papers to identify you are a legal resident in case
pulled over by police in a routine traffic stop.
MULTICULTURALISM IN GREAT
BRITAIN

Don’t question identity :

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To be British is to have a passport/live there…
anything… so long as you can feel/declare yourself
British
No strict definition of national identity = no
desire to force integrate people via assimilation.
London is considered the multicultural center of
Europe, it has 7 million inhabitants who speak
over 300 different languages(Multicultural.co.uk)
CONT…

The essence of multiculturalism is the idea that,
if one makes immigrants feel welcome by
allowing them to retain their culture and by
seeking to address discrimination against them,
immigrants will reciprocate by embracing a
British identity and the values needed for a
harmonious society. (first seen in LSE Research
Magazine)
CONT…
BBC NEWS


Immigration has contributed half of Britain’s
population growth in 10 years, according to new
research.
“Without a doubt, the conclusions each of us
personally form on immigration will play crucial
role in how Britain will look and behave in the
years to come.” – Dominic Casciani
CONT…

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“David Cameron, however, believes that
multiculturalism has encouraged segregated
communities where Islamic extremism can
thrive.” – New York Times
According to conservative party, Cameron just
wants to discourage parallel communities from
living separate lives.
ASSIMILATION IN GERMANY:
ACCORDING TO STATE OFFICIALS


Angela Merkel – “Multiculturalism has failed…for a
while, we kidded ourselves into believing that they
wouldn’t stay and would leave. Naturally, the notion
that we would become ‘multiculti,’ that we would live
next to one another and be happy about one another,
failed.” (Pg. 1, WSJ article)
“Merkel insisted in her speech that immigrant
workers should not be considered ‘until we have done
all we can help our own people to become qualified
and give them a chance.’” (Pg. 3, WSJ packet, The
Guardian article)
ASSIMILATION IN GERMANY
CONT…
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Horst Seehofer (Bavarian State Premier) “Germany should…get tougher on those who
refuse to integrate before opening itself up to
further immigration,” (Pg. 4 WSJ packet)
George Friedman – “Multiculturalism resulted in
the permanent alienation of the
immigrants…They identified with the country
they came from much more than with Germany.”
(Pg. 3 GFM)
Theo Sommer – “Integration necessarily implies
a far-reaching assimilation onto the German
guiding culture and its core values” (Pg. 1 Wiki)
ASSIMILATION AND GERMANY

Friedrich Merz (Leader of CDU in 2000) –
“Immigrants had a duty…to adapt to the basic
cultural values of Germany” (Pg 1-2 Wiki)

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“…16 German states set their own (‘citizenship tests’)
which can be based on an officially-defined German
culture and values”
Recep Erdogan (PM of Turkey) – “Yes, integrate
yourselves into German society but don’t assimilate
yourselves. No one has the right to deprive us of our
culture and our identity” (Pg. 2 Spiegel)

“…Blue Card holders will…have the same rights as
Turkish citizens in dealings with authorities and banks
GERMANY CONT.

Ceylan (Social scientist and religious scholar) –
Immigrant colonies are vital for the survival of
new arrivals, because they cushion the culture
shock. On the other hand, the many years of
isolation mean that immigrants lose contact with
the rest of society. (Pg. 3 of 2nd Spiegel)
ASSIMILATION IN FRANCE
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Primary school teachers are permitted to classify
students into 3 categories : “rien à signaller”, “risque”,
et “haut risque”.
Luc Chatel (minister of education) – “Il est donc
important de repérer les élèves en diffificulté dès le
plus jeune âge et nous allons proposer à nos
enseignants des outils supplementaires de repérage
de ces élèves.”
François Hollande (PS) – “C’est par
l’accompagnement dès la maternelle et le primaire
qu’on pourra corriger, dès le début de la scolarité les
problèmes que peuvent rencontrer les enfants qui
connaissent des difficulties.”
CONT…
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Official Document from the 31st of May : refusing
foreigners work in France.
French first, then European, then everyone else.
Increasing the difficulty of getting a working visa
and a job in France.
CONT…

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ONE passport!!!!
Projet de charte des droits et des devoirs du
citoyen français :

To become French must :
Adopt the history
 Values
 Principles
 And integrate into the national community
 Also be prepared to go to war

CONT…
The “tri-colored” flag : bleu, blanc, rouge.
 The national anthem : La “Marseillaise”
 The national slogan : “Liberté, Egalité,
Fraternité”
 French National Day : 14 Juillet
 The symbolic representation of The Republic :
“Marianne”
 The French language

CONT…
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France is a country that is : indivisible, secular,
democratic, and social
“La loi étant l’expression de la volonté générale, tout
citoyen doit la respecter et nul n’est cense l’ignorer…
Nul ne peut être constraint à faire ce que la loi
n’ordonne pas.” –Democratic
“Une personne qui est acquis la qualité de Français
peut être déchue de la nationalité français si elle s’est
soustraite à ses obligations de défense, ou si elle s’est
livrée à des actes contraires aux interest
fondamentaux de la France, sans prejudice des
dispositions du code penal.”