|
By: Behshad
Hastibakhsh (Vancouver
,
Canada)
- North Shore News - February 9, 1997
Who Are We?
To ask such a question may sound too
philosophical, and basically irrelevant in today's world where
individuals are foremost concerned about their daily
problems. It is yet impossible to deny the basic human need
to belong to a particular group or community, and to recognize
himself as a part of the larger social unit. This
recognition requires an understanding of what the larger social
unit is composed of and how it functions. In other words,
individuals make often a conscious decision related to being
associated with a group or a community. Such a decision
making is specially difficult for the first generation immigrants
who enter Canada with their unique set of expectations and
perceptions.
As we look at some of existing socio-cultural
problems, it becomes evident that the first generation immigrants
are often confronted with their uncertain state of identity.
Often this uncertainty results in a clash of cultures, that under
extreme circumstances leads to disintegration of families, social
isolation, polarization and gethoization of particular ethnic
groups. These are only a few of the possible social syndromes.
There are many examples of a continuing negative
trend towards the breakup of various social units, which results
from a lacking sense of identity.
For many first generation immigrants, Canada is on
the first glance a 'multicultural' society where various lucrative
social programs are designed to meet the special needs of ethnic
minorities. Despite the fact that the very concept of
'multiculturalism' is vaguely defined, it seems to have become
part of the Canadian identity.
The concept of 'multiculturalism' is a policy of
restructuring society, and promoting individual contribution
towards strengthening our communities, continuing the process of
nation building, and using it as a social experiment for promoting
diversity as a unifying force. 'Multiculturalism' is
supposed to be a political instrument for managing ethnic and
racial diversity. It is also a collective process which
cannot be legislated by the state but involves individual impute,
contribution and active involvement.
So what? Some may ask. Well, as we come in
contact with various ethnic communities in major Canadian cities,
it becomes difficult to ignore the lack of social interaction
between different ethnic groups. Our cities evolve evermore
into ethnic ghettos where first generation immigrants exclude
themselves from the mainstream society, in fear of losing the native
culture. This is largely done in the name of
'multiculturalism' which was originally designed to unite Canada
as an ethnically diverse country.
The fear of losing one's native culture and
identity is sometimes so great, that first generation immigrants
show a strong resistance towards a new 'Canadian' way of
life. There is a sense of fear that by trying to become
Canadian they will lose their original identity. This sense
of cultural insecurity is particularly great amongst the older
generation of immigrants whose cultural norms and values seem
incompatible with the more Westernized lifestyle of their
children. Thus, they face the difficulty in adapting to
their new environment.
The younger generation of immigrants is of course
in a much better position to become socuially integrated into the
so called mainstream society.
Nevertheless, the youth faces other types of
problems such as finding a middle ground in the daily struggle
over the clash of cultures. We can see that the first
generation often finds itself in search of an identity, not just
in a formal manner. [Here, the term identity is not just a
reference to what kind of citizenship card we carry. It is
rather a reference to what group we associate ourselves
with.]
There are ways to deal with this social
problem. First, it is essential to give the first generation
of immigrants a sense of belonging. This can only be realized
through effective communication, policy implementation measures
and active involvement in the social and political process.
The first generation of immigrants can particularly benefit from
the latter.
Secondly, we must emphasize on educating newcomers
in this country on how to develop a sense of identity and of 'Canadianism'.
We ought to be proud of our new country, to learn more about its
new culture, including a better understanding of Multiculturalism,
and to get more involved in its socio-political and economic
progress. In short, each individual is obliged to do his or
her part in making Canada a second home for new
immigrants.
|
