The Limits of Multiculturalism
Published Mon, Dec 11 2006 9:24 PM
Technorati Tags: News and Politics, Immigration, Conservatives, Political Correctness, Multiculturalism and Intolerance
SVC Alumnus over at NWBloggers.com has a great summary of some of the more important points in Tony Blair's recent speech. If only American politicians had the guts to speak out like this instead of towing the politically correct multi-cultural line...
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and other faiths have a perfect right to their own identity and religion, to practice their faith and to conform to their culture. This is what multicultural, multi-faith Britain is about. That is what is legitimately distinctive.
But when it comes to our essential values - belief in democracy, the rule of law, tolerance, equal treatment for all, respect for this country and its shared heritage - then that is where we come together, it is what we hold in common; it is what gives us the right to call ourselves British. At that point no distinctive culture or religion supercedes our duty to be part of an integrated United Kingdom.
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Partly the answer lies in precisely defining our common values and making it clear that we expect all our citizens to conform to them. Obedience to the rule of law, to democratic decision-making about who governs us, to freedom from violence and discrimination are not optional for British citizens. They are what being British is about. Being British carries rights. It also carries duties. And those duties take clear precedence over any cultural or religious practice.
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But we protect this attitude by defending it. Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain, Britain. So conform to it; or don't come here. We don't want the hate-mongers, whatever their race, religion or creed.
If you come here lawfully, we welcome you. If you are permitted to stay here permanently, you become an equal member of our community and become one of us. Then you, and all of us, who want to, can worship God in our own way, take pride in our different cultures after our own fashion, respect our distinctive histories according to our own traditions; but do so within a shared space of shared values in which we take no less pride and show no less respect. The right to be different. The duty to integrate. That is what being British means. And neither racists nor extremists should be allowed to destroy it.
SVC Alumnus concludes his post with this...
You can arguably substitute many - if not all - references to Britain and replace them with America. I encourage you to read the whole speech.
While you're at it, go give the post on NWBloggers.com a read!
Where are the American conservative politicians that have the guts to speak out like this? I'd happily vote for such a man, or woman, if they only would show themselves openly, with a consistent message of conservative values. I wonder if we'll ever see a true conservative leader again in this age of political correctness and "moderates" who are simply a stealth version of liberal socialists.
Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, Permanent Floating Ping Festival, third world county, The Bullwinkle Blog, bRight & Early, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
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SVC Alumnus responded with: Thanks for the kind words
 | Thanks for being so thoughtful. America deserves better than the... pulp muck they are getting now in leaders. Maybe we should require our politicians to pass a standardized test before they can seek substantial office... |
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