Multiculturalism is important because it dilutes and dissipates the divisiveness of ignorance. It is important because it encourages dialogue, often between radically different cultures that have radically different perspectives. It is important because it softens the indifference of tolerance, and embraces it with the genuine humanity of acceptance. It is a bridge between the divide of tolerance and acceptance.
Differences aside, human beings, regardless of their specific culture of origin, strive to provide the best they can for their family, and to live in as peaceful and harmonious a world as possible. These two goals unite us all. Multiculturalism makes the ideal and altruistic notion of loving our fellow man a tangible possibility, rather than a nebulous philosophical concept.
To paraphrase American educator Howard Shorr, "mankind must make global multiculturalism a cornerstone of education ... events occurring in our community could have consequences beyond the borders of our world." Multiculturalism is an antidote for ignorance.
What does humanity gain if we simply endure one another's presence within our society? What is the merit in that? Where is the nobility in mere tolerance? There can be no remedial benefits with this narrow-minded approach.
As a species, we are handcuffed by our own cultural myopia if we eschew philosophical, ideological or spiritual knowledge of our fellow man. It is chauvinistic and dangerous if we believe there is no merit in understanding the differences among our global neighbours.
It is incumbent on us to exploit the best of all of our differences for the benefit of as many of us as possible and, by so doing, establish a climate of trust rather than suspicion.
We should cherish the opportunity to sublimate the notion of a rigid Western, Eastern, Christian, Judaic, Islamic, etc. viewpoint and encourage people instead to look at society and culture from the viewpoint of a globally infused diaspora.
Survival? Yes.