Cultural Diversity versus Cultural Difference; Examples from Australia
In one of my previous posts, I talked about the Norwegian anthropologist Thomas Hylland Eriksen’s essay on cultural diversity versus cultural difference called Diversity versus difference: Neo-liberalism in the minority debate (http://folk.uio.no/geirthe/21st.html)
Eriksen describes cultural diversity as aesthetic aspects of a specific culture like arts, cuisine, folklore which are neutral and don’t require any moral judgement about that culture. Cultural diversity also means business and entertainment. Think of many ethnic food restaurants in Sydney like Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Turkish, Lebanese, Indian, Polish, Spanish etc. Think of many different dance courses offered in Sydney like Salsa, Tango, Belly dancing, Bollywood dancing. Cultural diversity has also influenced the language . For example people say ‘let’s eat Chinese (food) tonight’.
Example: Macquaire University Open Day Brochure, the section on Anthropology(according to the ad below, anthropology brings to mind culture, and culture brings to mind cultural diversity):Anthropology: Don’t miss the opportunity to dance up a storm at the Indian Dance Workshop led by renowned Indian classical dancer Kavitha Muthukrishnan. A brief introduction to Indian Classical Dance (Bharatha Natyam) will be given and an invocatory dance item will be performed in praise of the Hindu Lord Ganesha. There will be demonstrations of expression (abinaya) and rhythm (tala), so come along and join in the fun! 11am, 12pm, and 1pm in the tent outside the Library.
Example : An extract from Ghassan Hage, White Nation:Fantasies of White Supremacy in a Multicultural Society,1998:97; in Borderwork in Multicultural Australia by Bob Hodge & John O’Carroll, 2006:53:
Simonne: I really feel at home here…I like the multicultural feel.
Interviewer: Hmmm.
Simonne: You know, I originally came from around Manly. I mean, I love it there…I liked living there because of the ocean. But, ah, it’s too conservative…You miss out on what makes Australia such a nice place.
Interviewer: Is…?
Simonne: You see a mixture of people here, you see the, the, the Indian culture or, down the south end of Newtown, it’s the Fijian Indians and then you, you see the Asian people and ah, and ah, I like going to the deli and…ah visit George’s.
Example : An advertisement from 9 to 5 magazine (a free Sydney city magazine) (11.09.07): International array of the most gorgeous youthful women for your total sexual pleasure. Swedish beauty, Spanish model, Russian princess, Italian delight, Aussie sex kitten, China dolls, exotic Eurasians, French lingerie…..
Cultural diversity is something to be celebrated; and cultural diversity transforms the city turning it into a “cosmopolitan” place of endless celebrations, and this attracts many tourists. Cultural diversity is good for tourism, and probably it’s one of the factors which makes Sydney a popular tourist destination.
Example : From 9 to 5 (11.09.07) Magazine: Ritmo Brazilian Festival. Sunday, September 23, 11.30am-6.30pm, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour :The nation that gave us Carnivale, Brazilian waxes and Giselle Bundchen will bring Darling Harbour to life with the seventh annual Brazilian festival- a day filled with music, dancing and exotic cuisine. Visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Moon Festival, Saturday, September 22 Sunday, September 23, 5.45pm-7.30pm. Chinese Gardens, Darling Harbour For more than a thousand years the Chinese have celebrated the full moon during its brightest period with a festival. Join the celebrations and enjoy moon cakes, lanterns, dragon dancing, and more.www.chinesegarden.com.au
Examples of other celebrations of cultural diversity from www.darlingharbour.com:
Armenian Cultural Festival 2007, 16 September 2007
The Cedars of Lebanon Folkloric Group, 16 September 2007
Sparkling Korea Festival, 22-23 September, 2007
Darling Harbour Fiesta, 28Sept-1Oct:Feel the rhythm, discover the passion. Experience the sights, sounds, tastes, flamboyance and flair at Australia’s hottest dance and music festival – Darling Harbour Fiesta!Salsa, tango and rumba your way to Darling Harbour Fiesta this October long weekend. With more than 70 FREE performances across three stages, free salsa classes, DJs and Latin-inspired food, the spirit of Fiesta will dominate Darling Harbour for three sizzling days and nights. Now in its 16th year, Fiesta is Australia’s largest annual Latin American festival proving that when it comes to rhythm and passion, Sydney is right up there with Rio!Fiesta brings together traditional and contemporary talent from across South and Central America and Spain including legendary Columbian singer Wilson ‘Sabco’ Manyoma and, direct from the UK, Cuban musician Osvaldo Chacon whose timba-style salsa has been causing a stir on London’s dance floors.
Example: There is a ‘Cultural Diversity’ section for different suburbs in City of Sydney booklet called Preserving and Enhancing Sydney’s City of Villages: A Snapshot of Projects, Local Action Plan Strategy 2007-2010.
Redfern, Cultural Diversity: The Local government aims
-Celebrating indigenous Redfern
-Danks street festival
-Broaden retail mix for neighbourhood shopping
-Indigenous art projects
Inner East, Cultural Diversity:
-Creating an Oxford street cultural precint
-Harmony Park art and events program
-Public art to celebrate gay and lesbian community
Example: On Sydney city culture from the same City of Sydney local government planning booklet:
It’s a culture [Sydney city culture] that is rather funky, hip and urbane with respect to various ethnic, religious, non religious and sexual orientations.
Example: In Australia there’s a special day called Harmony Day, 21 March each year, to celebrate cultural diversity.Harmony Day provides an opportunity for us [Australians] to celebrate our successes as a culturally diverse society and re-commit ourselves to harmony and mutual respect. http://www.harmony.gov.au/
Cultural difference, on the other hand, might have moral and political connotations objectionable by the mainstream society.
Example: On the one hand encouraging aboriginal arts, painting, dance, music which is good for tourism and business, on the other hand turning a blind eye to the indigenous people who demand more rights.
Examples are endless…
