Multiculturalism, we are often told, is a grand achievement proof that society has matured enough to embrace diversity, dialogue and respect. Too often, however, communities such as ours, that were built on sweat, sacrifice and solidarity are treated as nothing more than convenient platforms for business and the occasional selfie.
Take, for example, the curious case of those who swoop into multicultural circles with great fanfare. They organise events, publish glossy flyers, post endlessly on social media, all in the name of “celebrating culture.” And yet, when the curtain falls and the applause fades, what is left? Precious little. These modern-day entrepreneurs of culture manage to extract every ounce of visibility and advantage without so much as a nod of gratitude, let alone a contribution back. It is presumption of the highest order: to assume a community exists merely to be milked, rather than nurtured.
But perhaps presumption alone would be tolerable, if it were not accompanied by another charming habit: the tendency to descend into vulgarity at the slightest disagreement. A difference of opinion arises and suddenly, reasoned debate is out the window. Instead, we are treated to the verbal equivalent of a barroom brawl: insults, slurs and a vocabulary so colourful that even the most seasoned sailors might blush. Apparently, this is what passes for dialogue in some corners of the multicultural world. One might argue that such lively exchanges are evidence of passion. But passion without respect is little more than noise.
And then we come to the pièce de résistance: the inability to tolerate difference of opinion. Diversity of culture, we are told, is wonderful. Diversity of thought? Not so much. In too many cases, those who dare to speak outside the script are branded as troublemakers, cast out or simply told “you’re out!”. Communities fracture, all because the very idea of listening to a different perspective seems too much to bear. Irony, thy name is multiculturalism.
The sin of presumption, then, is not just arrogance but failing to get that communities are not personal property. They do not die because outsiders attack them. Communities die when insiders presume too much, give too little and cannot bear to hear anything other than the sound of their own voice.
“Libertà di stampa è il diritto di dire alla gente ciò che non vuol sentirsi dire.” – George Orwell
