EDUCATIONAL VALUES FOR A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY:
Four values that are essential to a program of value education for a
multiracial society:
I.
ANTIRACISM OR OPPOSITION TO RACISM:
“racism is the denial of the fundamental moral equality of all human
beings. It involves the expression of attitudes of superior worth or merit
justifying or underpinning the domination or unjust advantage of some
groups over others.”(Blum, page 25, Voices of Wisdom, 2001)
“Antiracism as a value involves striving to be without racist attitudes
oneself as well as being prepared to work against both racist attitudes in
others and racial injustice in society more generally.”(Blum, page 25)
A. To develop a moral consciousness, and understand racism as a
psychological and historical phenomenon.
B. The dynamic of racism involves recognizing scapegoat techniques,
stereotyping, rigidity, fear of difference, rationalizing
power/privilege.
C. The dynamic of racism which involves historical forms: slavery,
colonialization, segregation, Nazism, the mistreatment of native
Americans, including learning about the movements to halt racism
such as abolitionism, civil rights, black power movements.
D. Dynamics of individuals who can contribute or help resist racial
structures and behaviors, an exploration of one’s own actions and
attitudes as well as to act responsibly not to participate in racist acts.
II.
MULTICULTURALISM:
“involves an understanding, appreciation, and valuing of
one’s own culture, and an informed respect and curiosity
about the ethnic culture of others. It involves a valuing of
other cultures, not in the sense of approving of all aspects
of those cultures, but of attempting to see how a given
culture can express value to its own members.” (page 25,
Blum)
A. Affirmation of one’s own cultural identity, heritage.
B. Respecting and desiring to understand /learn other cultures.
C. Valuing and taking delight in cultural diversity, as a positive good.
EDUCATIONAL VALUES OF A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY P.2
III.
INTERRACIAL COMMUNITY:
“This involves a sense, not necessarily explicit or articulated, that
one possesses human bonds with persons of other races and
ethnicities. The bonds may, and ideally should, be so broad as to
encompass all of humanity; but they may also be limited to the
bonds formed in friendships, schools, workplaces, and the
like.”(Blum, page 25)
A. A sense of community that embraces racial and cultural
differences. A sense of a bond with other persons, shared
identification with loyalty and involvement of the community
in diversity.
III.
TREAT PERSONS AS INDIVIDUALS, WITH
DIGNITY:
“This involves recognizing the individuality of each person –
specifically, while an individual person is a member of an ethnic or
racial group, and while that aspect may be an important part of
who he/she is, they are more than the ethnic or racial identity.”
(Blum, page 25)
A. Immanuel Kant’s Golden Mean, or the Golden rule as
applied – practiced in truth: “Act as to treat humanity, whether in
thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end
withal, never as means only”(Kant, page 221 Philosophy Looks to
the Future,1985)
1. The recognition that each individual has a
history and dignity being human, and that one
will not exploit, use or abuse their fellow human
being.
Blum, Lawrence. “Antiracism, Multiculturalism, and Interracial
Community: Three Educational Values for a Multicultural Society”. 1992,
University of Mass. Essay and Lecture Series. Pages 25-31.
Blum, Lawrence. “Can We Talk? Interracial Dialogue in the University
Classroom. 1998 Change Magazine ppgs. Pages 27-37