Multiculturalism in Southeast Asia PDF

Coursebook 1020326 Multiculturalism in Southeast Asia Prepared & Compiled by: Dr. Anna Christi Suwardi MULTICULTURALISM 1 Definition Multiculturalism is an ong...

Coursebook 1020326 Multiculturalism in Southeast Asia Prepared & Compiled by: Dr. Anna Christi Suwardi MULTICULTURALISM 1 Definition Multiculturalism is an ongoing concept with multiple interpretations. The core idea of multiculturalism is the view that cultures, races, and ethnicities, particularly those of minority groups, deserve special acknowledgment of their differences within a dominant political culture. Generally, multiculturalism is about ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all people with different identities, including cultures, ethnicities, races, genders, and religions, in society. What do leading scholars say about multiculturalism? Charles Taylor (2012) Will Kymlicka (2010) “Multiculturalism is generic term “Multiculturalism is first and for the ensemble of policies foremost about developing new introduced with the combined models of democratic citizenship, goals of recognizing diversity, grounded in human rights fostering integration and ideals, to replace earlier uncivil producing/maintaining and undemocratic relations of equality” hierarchy and exclusion” as well as “equally transformative of the identities and practices of minority groups” PAGE 2 Core principles in Multiculturalism Minority rights: To ensure that minority groups are given their rights in the same way as the majority. People associated with a minority identity have the freedom to express themselves and maintain their existence. Equality and inclusiveness: All people are treated equally regardless of their cultural background, so that no one is excluded. The government has the responsibility to ensure its citizens are treated equally based on regulations and to provide protection under the law. Integration: Promoting integration among diverse societies to shape a common identity, in contrast to “assimilation,” where people are forced to conform to a single identity. Recognition: Recognizing all aspects of people’s identities, including their ethnicity, faith, language, and gender expression. The government serves as a provider for its citizens in ensuring full recognition. Identity: Protection and freedom for everyone to express their identity. One’s identity should not be treated differently from others. Diversity: Embracing differences, treating them as something natural and positive. Transforming differences into a source of strength among diverse people, rather than a weakness of society PAGE 3 The Two Dimensions of Multiculturalism As political dimension, multiculturalism is reflected in the policy and role of the government as a provider and guarantor for the distribution of social justice for equal access without exception. As cultural dimension, multiculturalism is a social construction of awareness to see the diversity of collective identities in mutual social relations and to understand the unequal elements in each collective identity that trigger conflict. PAGE 4 Are Pluralism and Multiculturalism the same concepts? Pluralism is not just a situation or fact that is plural or more, but pluralism is manifested in an attitude of respecting, appreciating, maintaining, and even developing or “enriching” situations that are plural. “Plural society consists of members from diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain and develop their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization”. (Merriam Webster Dictionary) At individual level, pluralism is seen as a person's willingness to accept the existing diversity, an attitude of mutual respect and respect for people of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures. Multiculturalism has the same Pluralism is more of an footing and basis as pluralism but understanding of seeing the prioritizes the politics of diversity, where there is mutual recognition of minorities because respect, appreciation, or the development of commonly referred to as multiculturalism begins with tolerance. human rights. “Being a pluralist is not necessarily a multiculturalist, but a multiculturalist must be a pluralist” PAGE 5 The history of the "Just because the imperial flags aren't flying anymore, doesn't creation of mean that empire is over. Empire Southeast Asia: remains, but it remains in different forms." In Channel NewsAsia's A documentary "Inventing Southeast Asia", lecture by Dr. historian and political scientist Dr. Farish A Noor shows why he Farish A. Noor thinks Southeast Asians are still living in the long shadow of 19th century colonialism. Shadows of Empires | Inventing Southeast Asia | CNA Insider “The legacy of the 19th century continues to shape “us” more than “we” think” The “we” is Southeast Asian people. Where population is heavily influenced by the colonial era, not only political, economic, and nation-state, but also cultural identities of the people. PAGE 6 Early appearance of Multiculturalism in post-colonial Southeast Asian context After the era of the formation of nation-states, some countries in Southeast Asia became aware of the characteristics of their diverse populations. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are leading examples. Indonesia: The formation of “Pancasila” (unity in diversity) as the national philosophical foundation. Malaysia: The Alliance government accommodates three major races: Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Singapore: The accommodation of Malays and Indians as minorities relative to the Chinese. The SEA Mainland (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) tends to maintain a single national identity, except for Myanmar, which is still struggling with multi-ethnic resistance. East Timor: After separating from Indonesia, East Timor formed its own government, with the majority ethnic group being Melanesian. The Philippines: Preserves multi-ethnic identities due to its archipelagic nature. The Philippines has shaped its identities through a combination of ethnic roots and outsider influences such as Chinese traders, Spanish conquistadors, and American rulers. PAGE 7 Reflection Imagine you were the seahorse; how would you feel in such situation? Scan, watch and observe the video! Exercise Do you think Southeast Asia is a multicultural or plural society? Support your answer with reasons and examples. Submit your answer in the Google Classroom’s assignment folder! PAGE 8 References & further readings: Taylor, C. (2012). Interculturalism or multiculturalism? Philosophy & Social Criticism, 38(4-5), 413-423. https://doi.org/10.1177/0191453711435656 Kymlicka, W. (2010). The rise and fall of multiculturalism? New debates on inclusion and accommodation in diverse societies. International social science journal, 61(199), 97-112. Cabañes, J. V. A. (2023). Mediating multiculturalism in postcolonial Southeast Asia. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.1359 Merriam Webster Dictionary: “Pluralism”, retrieved from https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/pluralism Jennifer L. Eagan, Multiculturalism: Definition, Impact, Challenges, & Facts. Britannica, retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/multiculturalism PAGE 9  It's okay to be different if it is the right thing to do. PAGE 10