Pluralism
In the United States, we have managed to somehow live among various types of people. In these states, we coincide with people with different backgrounds, languages, and cultures. We are perhaps the only country which successfully blends or accepts people from different ethnic groups. Although we seem to be successful in the welcoming of different ethnic groups, there is always one ethnic group that is dominant over all. Because dominance does not equal racial equality, some people of the United States questions which social model is right for the country. The social models put into consideration are the following but may not be the answer: assimilation, pluralism, and multiculturalism. The definition of assimilation given in the book On Being Different is the process in which all minority groups gradually adopt the customs, attitudes, and traits of a dominant group, leaving their old cultures behind. The dominant group in the United States is the European Americans, so assimilation means that minorities would have to adopt the lifestyle of the white people. The article ''Language and Civil Society'' defines cultural pluralism as ''the peaceful coexistence of more than one culture in a society, a situation
Pluralism gives the best of both assimilation and multiculturalism and is the best social model in my opinion. Multiculturalism not only accepts but acknowledges all cultures and promotes equality among all groups. Jobs would be more accepting of people of different racial groups and would have room to advance to possible higher positions. Pluralism does hold on to cultural differences, though differences are accepted. If all ethnic groups were all accepted then they should have equal access to education and health care. In my opinion, pluralism is my ideal social model because it gives minorities control and freedom of their own culture and lives. In a pluralistic society all ethnic groups are accepted or at least tolerated. Contrary to this idea, the possibility to ethnic strife is rare or would never happen. In a pluralistic society, discrimination is decreased because there is no outsiders. in which all cultures within a society are valued, respected, and appreciated for their different contributions ''(Language and Civil Society). Pluralism strengthens minorities leaving ''majority'' and ''minority'' an option and rejects the idea of racism. Groups do not blend as they do in assimilation, but they are not prejudice to one another. My ideal social model is one which fosters acceptance of difference, gives each ethnic group control over their race, and opportunity for equality in the areas of health care, education, and economic success. Pluralism allows minority groups to have control over their lives. If pluralism were the social model used currently, we would not be as unified because each culture would be more separate.
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