10 Quotes about Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism can be simply defined as the practice of acknowledging all the cultural constitutive elements and parts of humanity. This includes in essence guaranteeing that different groups have equal chances and opportunities and the same access and enjoyment of fundamental human rights. This also involves foregrounding cultures that have been subject to discrimination, misrepresentation and under-representation
1- “Diversity is an aspect of human existence that cannot be eradicated by terrorism or war or self-consuming hatred. It can only be conquered by recognizing and claiming the wealth of values it represents for all.”
Aberjhani (American historian, columnist, novelist, poet, artist, and editor)
2- “Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.” Also: “Intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.”
Robert Alan (American writer, artist and social activist; 1922-1978
3- “We live now in a global village and we are in one single family. It’s our responsibility to bring friendship and love from all different places around the world and to live together in peace.”
Jackie Chan (Chinese Actor, Philanthropist, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador; b. 1954)
4- “Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.”
John Hume (Irish Politician, 1998 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 1999 Defender of Democracy Award, 2001 Gandhi Peace Prize; b. 1937)
5- “Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples.”
Rigoberta Menchú Tum (Guatemalan Indigenous Rights Activist, 1990 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Winner; b. 1952)
6- “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
Maya Angelou (African-American Poet, Civil Rights Leader, National Women’s Hall of Fame; b. 1928)
7- “How do we create a harmonious society out of so many kinds of people? The key is tolerance — the one value that is indispensable in creating community.”
Barbara Jordan (American Politician, National Women’s Hall of Fame, 1989 Hubert Humphrey Civil Rights Award, 1992 National Freedom Award, 1994 Presidential Medal of Freedom; 1936- 1996)
8- “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”
Jimmy Carter (American politician, businessman, and philanthropist who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981).
9- “What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and peculiarities, by eliminating different civilizations and cultures, progress weakens life and favors death.”
Octavio Paz (Mexican poet, writer and diplomat; 1914- 1998)
10- “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.”
Kofi Annan (Ghanian Diplomat, 7th UN SecretaryGeneral, 2001 Nobel Peace Prize Winner; b. 1938)