DEFENDING MULTICULTURALISM Gargi Bhattacharyya Progressive critique of multiculturalism

DEFENDING MULTICULTURALISM Gargi Bhattacharyya

Progressive critique of multiculturalism l l l Multiculturalism ignored the power relations of racial injustice Pretended that we all needed to appreciate each other’s cultures – and then there would be no problem Problematic understanding of history, politics and cultural identity

l l l Identities are not absolute or static All of us are mixed and changing in some way or another Most importantly, cultural appreciation does not translate into social justice

Everyday multiculturalism l l l The lived experience of co-existence which is all around us Evident to many = conviviality But not an indication that racism has been eradicated

What about racism? l l Easy to act as if multiculturalism is working Look we are living together Threatens to erase experience of those facing everyday racism Including many union members

Defending racial justice, critiquing multiculturalism l l l Fear that we strengthen racists when we critique multiculturalism But uncritical defence of multiculturalism can tie us to static conceptions of cultural identity Surely our focus must remain on shared pursuit of justice

What do we need to understand? l l l Islamophobia Attacks on multiculturalism Anti-migrant politics Links between racism in respectable politics and street violence Role of unions

Racism against Muslims l l Both state and popular racism explicitly targets Muslim communities However, the term ‘Islamophobia’ is controversial – including among progressives internationally Does it ‘culturalise’ racism? In my view, tactically useful – but may be worth reviewing

Attacks on Multiculturalism l … force us to become multiculturalists despite ourselves? l But different strands in the critique of multiculturalism

l l Critique of multiculturalism as divisive and enabling oppressive practices to be tolerated as ‘cultural heritage’ Encouraging cultural difference and cultural rights of minorities seen to contribute to segregation and inequality

l Changing populations – ‘super-diverse’ l Too mobile and too diverse for ‘cultural management’ l Resilience of inequality – implying that focus on cultural identity is inappropriate

Anti-migrant politics l Covered elsewhere in today’s discussions l But the context for attacks on equality and arguments for exclusion l Cannot be separated from our demands for equality and justice in our workplaces

Respectable racism and street violence l l l Legitimate focus on challenging street violence And potential electoral gains by fascist parties However, renewal of respectable (antimigrant) racism requires a review of these tactics

Role of unions l l l Austerity hardens inequality and, perhaps, attitudes – including in our own workplaces Both fascism and respectable racism require constant challenge But unions need to refocus on workplace racism as well