Posted on 08/05/2007 7:48:56 PM PDT by george76
IT HAS BECOME increasingly popular to speak of racial and ethnic diversity as a civic strength. From multicultural festivals to pronouncements from political leaders, the message is the same: our differences make us stronger.
But a massive new study, based on detailed interviews of nearly 30,000 people across America, has concluded just the opposite. Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam...has found that the greater the diversity in a community, the fewer people vote and the less they volunteer, the less they give to charity and work on community projects.
In the most diverse communities, neighbors trust one another about half as much as they do in the most homogenous settings. The study, the largest ever on civic engagement in America, found that virtually all measures of civic health are lower in more diverse settings.
"The extent of the effect is shocking," says Scott Page, a University of Michigan political scientist.
The study comes at a time when the future of the American melting pot is the focus of intense political debate, from immigration to race-based admissions to schools, and it poses challenges to advocates on all sides of the issues. The study is already being cited by some conservatives as proof of the harm large-scale immigration causes to the nation's social fabric...
"We can't ignore the findings," says Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. "The big question we have to ask ourselves is, what do we do about it; what are the next steps?"
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
There is diversity of race and gender, and then there is diversity of cultural values. The first kind of diversity can be a good thing, but the second kind will never work.
I don’t go to McDonald’s or any other fast food place anymore (mainly because of the hygiene habits of the illegals who work there,) but at the grocery and other stores around here, the Hispanics are horribly rude to us gringos. Never a “please.” Never a “thank you.” The baggers literally shove the groceries at you. Forget about getting help finding anything or reaching items on high shelves. The workers have a total attitude. I go out of my way to shop in another neighborhood, just to get pleasant, friendly, helpful service.
Why?
No one can actually explain the substance of this premise to me.
What are the benefits of "embracing" other people's cultures any more than taking in other people's washing?
Should we perform Voodoo ceremonies in public to "embrace" West Indian culture?
How about some public hangings or honor killings to embrace Islam?
Got any more suggestions? Perhaps a Mayan human sacrifice or two?
Why?
No one can actually explain the substance of this premise to me.
What are the benefits of "embracing" other people's cultures any more than taking in other people's washing?
Should we perform Voodoo ceremonies in public to "embrace" West Indian culture?
How about some public hangings or honor killings to embrace Islam?
Got any more suggestions? Perhaps a Mayan human sacrifice or two?
Diversity of race and sex (not gender) are only meaningful in this context if there is a distinctly unique racial and sex-based way of thinking that can’t come from someone outside of that particular race. So unless there is a unique ‘black’ way of thinking, for example, that only a black person can give you, it’s not so meaningful.
Get any 10 people together, even if they are of the same sex and race, and there is more likely than not no unanimity of opinion and a good diversity of ideas.
We see many who refuse to speak English even if they can.
They take over small towns and / or communities with no intention to blend in. Some places are having turf wars between different Mexican drug gangs.
I agree with you, but that’s got nothing much to do with what I wrote.
Stating the obvious.
Sounds good, but rings false if the "diverse" ideas are from fools or people of "diverse" objectives preventing progress.
Cases in point -- look at all the accomplishments of our "diverse" Congress...
Observe the joy the diversity of Shiite, Sunni and Kurd brought to Iraq...
Diverse opinions and ideas can be a powerful tool -- assuming they come from folks who SHARE culturally compatible objectives, working as a TEAM.
Unfortunately, lots of folks haven't progressed to that level of civilization..
What? There’s an upside? ;’)
I’m actually surprised they are admitting it.
I’m not shocked at all. All one has to do is look at the childish political bickering and inefficiencies of virtually every big city council or school district to see that “diversity” is anything but a strength.
Not so much a question of whether diversity has a downside...but is there any genuine upside?
It is not diversity, it is because we are letting in people who are too racist (La Raza) and only think about their own race. Only White Europeans are stupid enough to let its culture be destroyed by uncheck immigration.
thanks, bfl
This “downside” is only a temporary dip before the eventual rise. The reality is that diversity of thought, value systems, experience, and ideas can only help in solving any and all problems society may have.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same result. Well, with diversity, no one will ever try and solve a problem in the same way, thus increasing the probability that any and all problems of society will ultimately be solved in the least time consuming way.
Additionally, aren’t the chances of producing genetically diseased babies markedly reduced when diverse couples intermarry? Recessive and harmful genetic traits are totally killed off in populations that enjoy interexchange of DNA, and this is symbolic of the societal benefits as well.
Rome forged a new people - so will we.
RE: Your definition of insanity fits your unfounded assumptions about the benefits of ‘diversity’ read the article also see replies 30 and 36.
The basic assumptions underlying your statement about the benefits of diversity is wrong. Among other things you assume that there is 1)a shared interest in solving the problem; 2) a shared definition of the problem/situation; 3) a shared commitment to participate in implementing a solution; 4)a commitment to risk implementing a solution.
Not one of those is a safe assumption when dealing with cultures that do not share some significant basic values, principles and world view. There are basic contradictions in values (e.g. embracing children as living civilian bombers), taboos (using women and children as human shields in combat), etc.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.