If there is one topic out there that is broad as it is controversial at times, it is the topic of

multiculturalism. The term multiculturalism can be defined in many different ways. It may seem
like one thing on the surface, but can be studied and defined further when pursuing the truth
thats beneath the surface. Thats why the topic can be and is very broad. The ideology of
multiculturalism can vary from country to country. From Argentina to South Korea, Canada to
India, the UK to Japan, and from Malaysia to our very own United States. All these different
countries are scattered and occupied with multiple cultures. However, their opinions about this
topic can also vary. Thats what makes this a controversial subject as well.
History of multiculturalism hasnt exactly fared well because opinions about it have
changed many times over the course of human existence. Centuries ago, people of different
colors and cultures were defined as being inferior. Slavery was a huge problem for centuries in
the beginning of the United States existence as well many other countries around the world.
People of African and Indian descent were treated drastically different as opposed to those that
were of European descent. However, other drastic views of different cultures eventually lead to
past and present genocide. This failure to accept different cultures lead to the unfortunate events
of the Holocaust that was caused from just one mans extreme views of one particular race. So
from that, we can tell that opinions about multiculturalism havent always been positive.
Many people find themselves asking, what is multiculturalism? Well, it can be described
and defined in multiple ways depending on how you may want to look at it. Multiculturalism can
deal with just simple cultural diversity in our communities. But, it can also mean the
institutionalization and promotion of this diversity. It is the idea that people can express
themselves as they see fit. This leads to interaction and communication between one another
which eventually yields the net result that is multiculturalism. Multiculturalism can be defined as

a social movement that looks at the differences in individuals of different cultures as a source of
strength rather than of strife and struggle.
From what Ive seen, the idea and acceptance of multiculturalism has led to the
emergence and creation of some of the most powerful nations and countries in the world. The
United States is a good example of this. As a global superpower, the United States has left its
mark all across the world as a powerful nation. A big part and reason for this was the idea of
different cultures and races coming together to live as one nation. However, this is just one
example of how multiculturalism makes communities stronger. When these differences can be
overlooked and be accepted, it makes societies a lot more powerful.
In summary, multiculturalism is a topic unlike any other. It is broad and yet still very
controversial. It has been like that for centuries. Recently, more of the world has been trending
towards more of an acceptance towards multiculturalism. More people are starting to realize that
these differences amongst each other make us a lot stronger if we can learn to co-exist with each
other. We as humans tend to separate ourselves when it comes to culture and race. People spend
more time on trying to find differences as opposed to spending more time accepting and moving
on from these differences to make better communities and a better society. When you can
preserve these differences in cultures within a unified society, that is true multiculturalism.