Andrea Burns post 6
In class we've discussing the ideas of which is a better model to teach to children: the melting pot or the salad bowl. The original thought of America being a melting pot is now seen to be an indication of our country's determination for everyone to assimilate to one way of life, everyone "melting" into one. However this model doesn't embrace the differences and uniqueness in people. It expects everyone to conform to one. Not really the best way to teach children about diversity. The newer model of the salad bowl works to try to correct some of these issues since every piece of a salad is different, yet works together to compose one good product. Because of this, it seems to be a better metaphor since it represents the uniqueness to each part. However, look a little closer at your own salad. What you like in a salad is not necessarily the same as what your friend's perfect salad would be. One piece is not necessarily needed in everyone's to complete the whole. This causes problems since it can lead to racism and exclusion since a salad allows you to leave out or pick around what you don't like. Canada seems to have the current best idea with their cultural mosaic model. A mosaic is a decoration made of colored pieces of glass all put together. The end product is beautiful. Without one piece, it wouldn't look right. It represents both assimilation and multiculturalism. The assimilation would be shown through the beauty of the mosaic as a whole, while the multiculturalism is shown through the each individual pieces each still containing their own individual features.
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