04-12-2006, 05:16 AM
Hi,
Until then, though, most people's reaction to 'different' is hatred. I know, I've seen it (and heard the ignorant rednecks comment on it, thinking we didn't understand English) many times when I was out with my folks and we were speaking Italian.
No. Give me one nation with one language. If a group wishes to uses an additional language among themselves, more power to them. But embracing diversity is another one of those ivory tower ideas based on lack of understanding of how the vast unwashed masses actually behave. The diversity s embraced until the individuals become a mob -- then 'death to those others' becomes the watchword.
And, by the way, how is the Quebec independence movement faring? Do they still want a country of their own where they can speak their own sorta French dialect and don't have to hear that 'bloody English'? How anyone can be a Canadian and not think that language differences are disruptive is beyond my understanding. The problem is so under your nose, and you don't even seem to notice the stench.
--Pete
Jester,Apr 11 2006, 07:43 PM Wrote:Perhaps we should concentrate on making a society that is flexible enough to incorporate multiculturalism, rather than imitating the absolutists of the past.Yep, the Jeffersonian ideal. All you have to do is change human nature. I'm sure the geneticists will come up with a way to do that, preferably before the child exits the womb.
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Until then, though, most people's reaction to 'different' is hatred. I know, I've seen it (and heard the ignorant rednecks comment on it, thinking we didn't understand English) many times when I was out with my folks and we were speaking Italian.
No. Give me one nation with one language. If a group wishes to uses an additional language among themselves, more power to them. But embracing diversity is another one of those ivory tower ideas based on lack of understanding of how the vast unwashed masses actually behave. The diversity s embraced until the individuals become a mob -- then 'death to those others' becomes the watchword.
And, by the way, how is the Quebec independence movement faring? Do they still want a country of their own where they can speak their own sorta French dialect and don't have to hear that 'bloody English'? How anyone can be a Canadian and not think that language differences are disruptive is beyond my understanding. The problem is so under your nose, and you don't even seem to notice the stench.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?