Multicultural Policy and Australian National Identity

Multicultural Policy and Australian National Identity

Moran (2011, p.2) states that there has been an argument for and against multiculturalism. Intellectuals together with politicians have been against as they argue that multiculturalism should be substituted with a renewed prominence on ordinary citizen and a shared national identity (Moran 2011, p.2). However, Moran (2011, p.2) points out that, many protagonists or are apprehensive of national identity, they see it as a way of standardizing the cultures which will, later on, be a threat to cultural diversity.

National identity forms an important role as it builds solidarity amongst the nationals (Moran 2011, p.3). Moran (2011, p.3) expresses that, through a common culture shared among the citizens of a national brings tightens there to bond and make them more loyal to a country, political philosophers are of the thought that people can still belong to an organization without being attached to it, or have a sense of belonging nor share the culture but still stand for a common goal. According to Moran (2011, p.3), people don’t have to share emotions or possess the same related feelings of letting us say sympathy for one another’ to uphold the sense of commitment to their organization or to support social justice or broader policies of redistribution.

Moran (2011, p.9) states that, when multicultural policy officially occurred in Australia in the early 1970s, it was meant to make all groups have a sense of belonging to the nation despite the religion, gender, race, and political affiliation. This was a very significant move for the development of the national identity. The unambiguous declaration of the nation as a multicultural society clearly stressed the essence of diversity, it was considered a good thing as it enables different cultures to interact exchanging ideas and with this, a creation of uniquely Australian identity was created (Moran 2011, p.11). Moran (2011, p.9) mentions that the fact that multiculturalism did not act as if it was fighting the indigenous Australian custom and beliefs and values actually enhanced the recognition such core values are prone to evolution but remain to be unique and distinctively identified to the Australian culture or identity.

According to Kickett-Tucker what is a “strong racial identity” and why is it important? Include some examples in your response.

Kickett-Tucker (2009, p.119) states that racial identity in the definition is an aspect of a person’s sense of self. According to Kickett- Tucker (2009, p.119), racial identity is a single component that is relatively positive towards building a person’s self-esteem.

According to Kickett-Tucker (2009, p.119), a strong racial identity is a combination of key aspects of what builds an individual’s personality. Kickett-Tucker (2009, p.120) points out that the key aspects that build the definition of ‘strong racial identity’ include cultural identity, collective identity, group identity, ethnic identity, as well as, self-conceptualization.

Strong racial identity is important to an individual’s growth and development, not only psychological health but mental and physical health as well. As per Kickett-Tucker (2009, p.120), a strong racial identity is significant mostly for the school children as it enhances their school outcomes in both academic and extra curriculum activities like sports. For instance, a study conducted in Australia showed a racial identity positivity blended with merit in the identity of a student as a native student enhances the probabilities of success in school results such as academic grades, class attending, and knowledge retaining for the native youth and children. Also, Kickett- Tucker (2009, p.121) found that the school sports set up accorded the native students the chances to embrace by progressively affirming their distinctive racial identities.

Kickett-Tucker (2009, p.120) expresses that children, particularly the indigenous youth as well as children begin to learn, feel, and think of their racial identity within particular contextualized and certain settings. This knowledge helps them appreciate themselves and their distinctive native humans from centuries back as early as 14th century. It has been a backbone of cultures. Furthermore, embracing one’s racial identity encourages good health and well being particularly amongst young individuals due to their respect, love, and respect for themselves (Kickett-Tucker 2009, p.121).

What is the next stage of humanity? Are humans going to continue to evolve or become extinct? Why?

The next stage for humanity according to Rees and Price (2015, p.7) is the posthuman evolution. Posthuman evolution is defined as the evolution beyond the current age, and after Darwinism; it refers to the evolving of human beings genetically, bionics augmentation as well as culturally and behavioral. Rees and Price (2015, p.7) point out that the post-human evolution is likely to take a considerably long period just as the Darwinian evolution that led to today’s world did. However, with today’s technologically determined time scale, the post-human evolution will go by significantly faster than the natural selection through the drastic advancements in artificial intelligence as well as genetics (Rees & Price 2015, p.7).

Chances are more likely that humans will eventually become extinct. According to Rees and Price (2015, p.7), people are living today with the fear of extinction due to various reasons. First of all, humans are living with the possibility of being eliminated by the evolution of machines. Rees and Price (2015, p.7) explain that there are significant development and investments in artificial intelligence towards making machines more human by programming and building them to entail more human capabilities. Furthermore, there has been substantial investment input in developing synthetics biologies (Rees & Price 2015, p.8). Therefore, creating a fear of human extinction by the new technological advancements in synthetic biologies as well as artificial intelligence, by creating no future for the future human generations.

Second of all, astronomers predict extinction by the occurrence of a cosmic catastrophe. Rees and Price (2015, p.8) mention that astronomical studies predict that humanity will face extinction by a cosmic catastrophe, most likely by an asteroid impact. They explain that an asteroid impact is most likely to cause significant destruction of the earth. Thus, presenting fear of extinction by cosmic catastrophe.

References List

KICKETT-TUCKER, C. S. (2009). Moore (Black)? Djardak (White)? How come I don’t fit in Mum? Exploring the racial identity of Australian Aboriginal children and youth. Health Sociology Review. 18, 119-136.

MORAN, A. (2011). Multiculturalism as nation-building in Australia: Inclusive national identity and the embrace of diversity. Ethnic and Racial Studies. 34, 2153-2172.

REES, M., & PRICE, H. (2015). Will Evolution Leave Humans Behind in the Long Haul? New Perspectives Quarterly. 32, 7-9.