AQCI 2
Lecture: European Policies and Practice toward Ethnic Minorities
Student: Kelsey Beckmeyer
Lecturer: Antonin Mikes
Date: October 19, 2015
Rex, John (2001) “The concept of a multicultural society” in Guibernau, Montserrat and Rex, John (eds): The
Ethnicity Reader. Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration, Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, pp. 205-220
Kuper, Leo (2001) “Plural Societies” in Guibernau, Montserrat and Rex, John (eds): The Ethnicity Reader.
Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration, Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, pp. 220-227
1. CENTRAL QUOTATION.
“What I have tried to suggest is that a multicultural society must find a place for both diversity and
equality of opportunity. Emphasis upon the first without allowing for the second could lead to
segregationism, inequality and differential incorporation. Emphasis upon the second at the expense of
the first could lead to an authoritarian form of assimilation. Both of these are at odds with the ideal of
the multicultural society” (Rex, 218).
2. ARGUMENT.
Rex argues for multiculturalism as a basis for an ideal society while warning against a plural model of
society as “it would seem [to be] a model of racial domination” (Rex, 208). Equality and diversity of the
populous develop respectively in the private and public domains, which establishes a balance of power
between majority and minority cultures. He continuously admits to the idealist notions of a multicultural
society and the challenges for current societies to achieve this ideal. Ultimately, he argues that his
description of multiculturalism can only be possible once racism is eradicated.
3. QUESTION.
Rex briefly mentions social work and social welfare in a multicultural society. This section left me
wondering more and more about the best ways to address multicultural needs within social welfare. If
the dominant group within society has developed and establish the norms with which we train social
workers, would simply adding minority social workers really address the disparities in culture? For social
workers to be truly effective in a multicultural society is cultural competency enough?
4. EXPERIENTIAL CONNECTION.
As Rex outlines a plural society, I immediately thought of the town where I attended high school, Walla
Walla, WA in the US. The town is essentially a plural society where Whites and Latinos live mostly
separate lives, only truly connecting in the educational sector. Even in school, however, there were
distinct social castes and only a handful of interracial relationships. This plural society has morphed
slightly over the last ten years due in large part to the efforts of Latino community members entering
the public domain. Additionally, efforts in the school system to highlight diversity through clubs,
presentations and bilingual teaching have begun to bridge the gap of inequality.
5. TEXTUAL CONNECTION.
Rex admonishes a plural society, stating that it is the result of racial dominance such as that seen in the
Jim Crow era in the United States and South African apartheid. Kuper further complicates this idea of
plural societies as more than just racial difference. Plural societies do not just differ in terms of race, but
also on a moral, cultural and political level. Both authors work together to present a holistic idea of how
and why plural societies develop.
6. IMPLICATIONS.
The most prominent implications I see, stem from the question posed above. In order for a successful
multicultural society to emerge, the training for social works, doctors, educators, etc., must change to
include cultural cross-training. Rather than simply diversifying those within the profession, the
profession itself must be redesigned to meet the needs of a diverse population. It is at the policy level
that cultural literacy, not just competency, must be addressed.
AQCI ASSESSMENT FORM
Student’s
name:
Kelsey Beckmeyer
Essay title:
AQCI 2
Name of
assessor:
Excel
lent
1) Is the chosen quotation central to the
author’s argument?
Go
od
Date:
Aver
age
Po
or
Not
accept
able
Comments
X
X
2) Has the main argument been fully
understood (including its ‘for’ and
‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
X
3a) Is the question raised
important/relevant/interesting?
3b) Has this question not been fully
answered in the text?
Not sure on clarity here.
X
X
4) Is the experiential connection
relevant/interesting?
X
5a) Is the textual connection
relevant/interesting?
5b) Has it been cited properly?
5c) Has it been adequately explained how
the present text's argument contrasts
with, contradicts, confirms, clarifies, or
elaborates the other text's argument or
point?
X
X
X
6) Have the implications been well
understood, can they have a practical
impact for policy making?
7) Expression/Presentation
a) Are the style, grammar and general
use of English adequate?
Am I making sense here? It feels
a bit muddled.
X
Again, this section can also use
some fine tuning.
b) Is the AQCI professionally presented?
Essay grade:
Further comments:
X