The Canadian Mosaic vs. The U.S. Melting Pot

[Tkill93]

[We haven't had a serious discussion in a while]

 

Canada, the cultural mosaic, is known for going out of its way to try and allow foreign immigrants to maintain as much of their culture as possible. Allowing them to change paid holidays from Christian days to ones of their faiths, protecting the right of employees to take breaks for daily prayer and so forth, as well as having government support to publically celebrate various festival days and holidays. While a given immigrant is generally expected to be conversant in either English or French, there is strong support for allowing each small cultural subsection of major cities (Toronto here is the key example, there's a little ____ for pretty much every nationality you can think of) to exist with a fairly large degree of autonomy.

 

We are taught formally, that "canadianity" is predicated on the inclusion of as many cultures as possible into our society, there's really no such thing as "Canadian Culture" except as an ever-increasing amalgam of other cultures coming together.

 

Perhaps conversely (Though these are hardly opposite ends of a scale, so much as alternate forks on a path) the United States has a wide reputation for integration and assimilation. The melting pot image is generally designed to communicate that each separate and distinct ingredient is, through time, mixed into one homogeneous whole.

 

It is generally historically shown that immigrants were more encouraged to give over previous cultural traditions and take on the existing American traditions. While certainly the rights of a host of faiths and cultures are respected, and protected by US laws, the emphasis has long been on "becoming an American" a concept with plenty of objective qualities, as opposed to the more nebulous idea of "A Canadian"

 

This raises the question: Which seems like the better course generally? In terms of Canada and the US, both are relatively young nations, both were forged out of previously existing national colonies, and so were searching for an individual identity.

 

Like the Irish and Scots in relation to Great Britain in the past, the United States seems to have gone the route of creating their own new identity, and strongly encouraging anyone entering the system to adapt to that existing image, while Canada seems to have gone the route of simply modifying the state of the identity to suit the members.

 

From my more socialist standpoint, I'm a much stronger supporter of the mosaic method of cultural integration, but it lends it self to the question: What happens in a society when the rights of all its constituent groups are equally protected when those rights are at odds with one another?

 

By leaning more towards the melting pot analogy you can avoid a number of these problems. If everyone is generally encouraged to lean towards one specific set of rules, those rules can take precedence, and go a long way to keeping a culture unified and intact, but at the same time, it breeds resentment from people who feel forced to change in order to be accepted.

 

I find it interesting that I see a lot more "Americanized" names than I do "Canadianized" ones.

 

What do you think?

[Static]

[We haven't had a serious discussion in a while]

 

No we have not.

 

I removed the information on the subject' date=' so my post is not as long.

 

This raises the question: Which seems like the better course generally? In terms of Canada and the US, both are relatively young nations, both were forged out of previously existing national colonies, and so were searching for an individual identity.

 

I am a Socialist myself, but I like the melting pot Idea more.

 

Why?

 

Socialist Regimes, and society in general, work a LOT better when there is less difference between the people. Different beliefs teach different people different intolerances, and if those beliefs are eliminated, then society runs more smoothly.

 

If people are encouraged to accept something, they either will accept it in fear of being different, nit pick what they like from it and only expose that to seem similar, or just outright express their culture. I personally think it is better if everyone is of similar ideals, so civil controversy doesn't divide the people like it does in America now, and its politicans make A LOT OF MONEY from it.

 

Is the American melting pot flawed? Yeah, of course, it doesn't ENFORCE assimilation, doing so would create unified people who share common beliefs.

 

Canada's Mosiac does not cause enough unification in the people. The people can still stick to their groups, and not be one unified nation. The people will have different interests, and if not all of them can be addressed, or if ones interests interferes with anothers' practice, then controversy is caused.

 

From my more socialist standpoint' date=' I'm a much stronger supporter of the mosaic method of cultural integration, but it lends it self to the question: What happens in a society when the rights of all its constituent groups are equally protected when those rights are at odds with one another?

 

By leaning more towards the melting pot analogy you can avoid a number of these problems. If everyone is generally encouraged to lean towards one specific set of rules, those rules can take precedence, and go a long way to keeping a culture unified and intact, but at the same time, it breeds resentment from people who feel forced to change in order to be accepted.

 

I find it interesting that I see a lot more "Americanized" names than I do "Canadianized" ones.

 

What do you think?

[/quote']

 

I like your thinking :)

[Poc]

I agree more with the mosaic, not only does it bring in more culture into a country it produces less ignorant people, they are raised with people of different backgrounds and different belifes. This makes people less prejudice to people of a specific race or religion and makes better people overall.

[Bloodrun]

hmm well, this is really a much better topic theen, "The End" lol, and my opinion, warning lol this might be a little broken and mixed up lol i appologoize ahead of time. my opinion is that first of all, Canada can do what ever they want to, to try and get people in their in their favor, if it works for them, hey more power to them, but america, america has this "melting pot" becuase with all the people in america, all the different types of cultures and religion, it is certainly not safe, to let people freely expose these beliefs, because if they do, who knows, one person from a different culture, might be offended, and take it the wrong way, and things might happen, if you know what i mean. now when i say "freely" i dont mean like take it away completely, but from the works space, where their is more likely to be diffrent cultures, as well as public schools. and to focus on a point you said at the end your statement: "What happens in a society when the rights of all its constituent groups are equally protected when those rights are at odds with one another?" what happens is that it cuases more religious mixture, by having those rights protected, it opens doors for, more religious belifs and customs, to open up to a wider audience, allowing different cultures to mix together, without fear of harm. Now, I believe you said something about, how do these immigrants feel about not being able to express what they want to in the work place? well first off the immigrants wanted to come here, we didnt force them to come here. we accepted them in, so they should at least be able to obey to that rule, i mean we didnt take it away from the household, the churches, or in public... and i know someone is going to bring up the fact, that we did force African Americans, into the U.S. that was back then, way back then, these religious rules, were formed after the slave era, and have nothing to do with the slave era, they put in place to try and form a more elite nation, i dont necc. want to use the word elite, but the best word i could come up with. and i think i covered all my ideas, lol if not, ill put them down lol

[Static]

hmm well' date=' this is really a much better topic theen, "The End" lol, and my opinion, warning lol this might be a little broken and mixed up lol i appologoize ahead of time. my opinion is that first of all, Canada can do what ever they want to, to try and get people in their in their favor, if it works for them, hey more power to them, but america, america has this "melting pot" becuase with all the people in america, all the different types of cultures and religion, it is certainly not safe, to let people freely expose these beliefs, because if they do, who knows, one person from a different culture, might be offended, and take it the wrong way, and things might happen, if you know what i mean. now when i say "freely" i dont mean like take it away completely, but from the works space, where their is more likely to be diffrent cultures, as well as public schools. and to focus on a point you said at the end your statement: "What happens in a society when the rights of all its constituent groups are equally protected when those rights are at odds with one another?" what happens is that it cuases more religious mixture, by having those rights protected, it opens doors for, more religious belifs and customs, to open up to a wider audience, allowing different cultures to mix together, without fear of harm. Now, I believe you said something about, how do these immigrants feel about not being able to express what they want to in the work place? well first off the immigrants wanted to come here, we didnt force them to come here. we accepted them in, so they should at least be able to obey to that rule, i mean we didnt take it away from the household, the churches, or in public... and i know someone is going to bring up the fact, that we did force African Americans, into the U.S. that was back then, way back then, these religious rules, were formed after the slave era, and have nothing to do with the slave era, they put in place to try and form a more elite nation, i dont necc. want to use the word elite, but the best word i could come up with. and i think i covered all my ideas, lol if not, ill put them down lol

[/quote']

 

I agree for the most part, and I would like to comment on the Slave part.

 

They ("The Black Slaves") seemed to have been assimilated well enough into Christianity that it is an irrelevant counter argument that they were forced here, as nowadays, it makes no difference.

[Bloodrun]

hmm well' date=' this is really a much better topic theen, "The End" lol, and my opinion, warning lol this might be a little broken and mixed up lol i appologoize ahead of time. my opinion is that first of all, Canada can do what ever they want to, to try and get people in their in their favor, if it works for them, hey more power to them, but america, america has this "melting pot" becuase with all the people in america, all the different types of cultures and religion, it is certainly not safe, to let people freely expose these beliefs, because if they do, who knows, one person from a different culture, might be offended, and take it the wrong way, and things might happen, if you know what i mean. now when i say "freely" i dont mean like take it away completely, but from the works space, where their is more likely to be diffrent cultures, as well as public schools. and to focus on a point you said at the end your statement: "What happens in a society when the rights of all its constituent groups are equally protected when those rights are at odds with one another?" what happens is that it cuases more religious mixture, by having those rights protected, it opens doors for, more religious belifs and customs, to open up to a wider audience, allowing different cultures to mix together, without fear of harm. Now, I believe you said something about, how do these immigrants feel about not being able to express what they want to in the work place? well first off the immigrants wanted to come here, we didnt force them to come here. we accepted them in, so they should at least be able to obey to that rule, i mean we didnt take it away from the household, the churches, or in public... and i know someone is going to bring up the fact, that we did force African Americans, into the U.S. that was back then, way back then, these religious rules, were formed after the slave era, and have nothing to do with the slave era, they put in place to try and form a more elite nation, i dont necc. want to use the word elite, but the best word i could come up with. and i think i covered all my ideas, lol if not, ill put them down lol

[/quote']

 

I agree for the most part, and I would like to comment on the Slave part.

 

They ("The Black Slaves") seemed to have been assimilated well enough into Christianity that it is an irrelevant counter argument that they were forced here, as nowadays, it makes no difference.

 

right i agree, but some people, some "ignorant" (ignorant means without knowledge btw) still believe that there is still unjust between whites and blacks.

[Mod David]

I guess your country is better, in the usa people are infested with drugs is it like that in canada?

[Bloodrun]

I guess your country is better' date=' in the usa people are infested with drugs is it like that in canada?

[/quote']

 

dude, U.S is not the only one, i mean canada has a lower age limit on alcohol, they dont have any lawas against MJ, and there are a whole bunch of other countries with drugs, where do you think we get them from?!

[Mod David]

wow they dont, ty my country is better haha (~~) we are smarter you smoke weed and loose your cells(@@)

[Poc]

wow they dont' date=' ty my country is better haha (~~) we are smarter you smoke weed and loose your cells(@@)

[/quote']

 

What a mature comment

 

/sarcasm

[Bloodrun]

wow they dont' date=' ty my country is better haha (~~) we are smarter you smoke weed and loose your cells(@@)

[/quote']

 

and what country would that be? would it happen to be in Europe, if it is, don get me started on the "stupid" things you do, acuse another country, ill accuse yours =/

[Tkill93]

On Marijuana

 

The effects of smoking marijuana have been described as follows: "euphoria, reduction of fatigue, and relief of tension . . . [it will] also increase appetite, distort the time sense, increase self-confidence, and, like alcohol, can relax some inhibitions." (Fort, 1965) A heightened awareness of color and of esthetic beauty, and the production of rich and novel mental associations are also commonly reported effects. Some users report that the marijuana experience is "psychedelic": can result in heightened awareness, or in a consciousness-expanding change in perspective, ideas about the self, life, etc. Marijuana is not, however, like LSD---a very powerful psychedelic. Whereas LSD drastically alters thoughts and perspective, often "jarring" the user into heightened awareness, marijuana "suggests" or points the way to a moderately deepened awareness. The user is free to follow these potentials or not, as they present themselves. (Mayor's Committee on Marihuana, New York City, 1944; Fort, 1965a, 1965b ; Panama Canal Zone Governor's Committee, 1933; Goldstein, 1966; Becker, 1963; De Ropp, 1957; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894) Pharmacological studies of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (the major active ingredient) are as yet inconclusive, both because of insufficient research and because of the subtlety and complexity of its effect on the human mind. Garattini (1965) tested maze-learning in rats and found that marijuana caused no change or very slight impairment; Carlini and Kramer (1965) found that maze-learning was significantly improved by an injection of a marijuana extract. Multiple active ingredients are present in the marijuana plant, and these could vary in concentration (e.g., one of the components is sedative, and another is euphoric/psychedelic). (Wolstenholme, 1965; Watt, 1965; Carlini & Kramer, 1965)

 

As with other psychedelics, the effects of marijuana depend in part on how one interprets, uses, and learns to develop them. As pointed out by many researchers in the area of philosophical/psychological effects, the environment ("setting") is of great importance. Many people have no effects whatever the first time they smoke a marijuana cigarette, but do the second or third time---and thereafter. Everyone has to learn the effects before he can use them to his own benefit. (Becker, 1963; Fort, 1965a, 1965b; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894)

 

 

And in case you haven't noticed, Canada isnt the only country which uses Pot.

[Bloodrun]

On Marijuana

 

The effects of smoking marijuana have been described as follows: "euphoria' date=' reduction of fatigue, and relief of tension . . . [it will'] also increase appetite, distort the time sense, increase self-confidence, and, like alcohol, can relax some inhibitions." (Fort, 1965) A heightened awareness of color and of esthetic beauty, and the production of rich and novel mental associations are also commonly reported effects. Some users report that the marijuana experience is "psychedelic": can result in heightened awareness, or in a consciousness-expanding change in perspective, ideas about the self, life, etc. Marijuana is not, however, like LSD---a very powerful psychedelic. Whereas LSD drastically alters thoughts and perspective, often "jarring" the user into heightened awareness, marijuana "suggests" or points the way to a moderately deepened awareness. The user is free to follow these potentials or not, as they present themselves. (Mayor's Committee on Marihuana, New York City, 1944; Fort, 1965a, 1965b ; Panama Canal Zone Governor's Committee, 1933; Goldstein, 1966; Becker, 1963; De Ropp, 1957; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894) Pharmacological studies of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (the major active ingredient) are as yet inconclusive, both because of insufficient research and because of the subtlety and complexity of its effect on the human mind. Garattini (1965) tested maze-learning in rats and found that marijuana caused no change or very slight impairment; Carlini and Kramer (1965) found that maze-learning was significantly improved by an injection of a marijuana extract. Multiple active ingredients are present in the marijuana plant, and these could vary in concentration (e.g., one of the components is sedative, and another is euphoric/psychedelic). (Wolstenholme, 1965; Watt, 1965; Carlini & Kramer, 1965)

 

As with other psychedelics, the effects of marijuana depend in part on how one interprets, uses, and learns to develop them. As pointed out by many researchers in the area of philosophical/psychological effects, the environment ("setting") is of great importance. Many people have no effects whatever the first time they smoke a marijuana cigarette, but do the second or third time---and thereafter. Everyone has to learn the effects before he can use them to his own benefit. (Becker, 1963; Fort, 1965a, 1965b; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894)

 

 

And in case you haven't noticed, Canada isnt the only country which uses Pot.

 

which i stated above =/ btw, where did your enemy of the people thread go? sorry about the PM =/

[Static]

On Marijuana

 

The effects of smoking marijuana have been described as follows: "euphoria' date=' reduction of fatigue, and relief of tension . . . [it will'] also increase appetite, distort the time sense, increase self-confidence, and, like alcohol, can relax some inhibitions." (Fort, 1965) A heightened awareness of color and of esthetic beauty, and the production of rich and novel mental associations are also commonly reported effects. Some users report that the marijuana experience is "psychedelic": can result in heightened awareness, or in a consciousness-expanding change in perspective, ideas about the self, life, etc. Marijuana is not, however, like LSD---a very powerful psychedelic. Whereas LSD drastically alters thoughts and perspective, often "jarring" the user into heightened awareness, marijuana "suggests" or points the way to a moderately deepened awareness. The user is free to follow these potentials or not, as they present themselves. (Mayor's Committee on Marihuana, New York City, 1944; Fort, 1965a, 1965b ; Panama Canal Zone Governor's Committee, 1933; Goldstein, 1966; Becker, 1963; De Ropp, 1957; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894) Pharmacological studies of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (the major active ingredient) are as yet inconclusive, both because of insufficient research and because of the subtlety and complexity of its effect on the human mind. Garattini (1965) tested maze-learning in rats and found that marijuana caused no change or very slight impairment; Carlini and Kramer (1965) found that maze-learning was significantly improved by an injection of a marijuana extract. Multiple active ingredients are present in the marijuana plant, and these could vary in concentration (e.g., one of the components is sedative, and another is euphoric/psychedelic). (Wolstenholme, 1965; Watt, 1965; Carlini & Kramer, 1965)

 

As with other psychedelics, the effects of marijuana depend in part on how one interprets, uses, and learns to develop them. As pointed out by many researchers in the area of philosophical/psychological effects, the environment ("setting") is of great importance. Many people have no effects whatever the first time they smoke a marijuana cigarette, but do the second or third time---and thereafter. Everyone has to learn the effects before he can use them to his own benefit. (Becker, 1963; Fort, 1965a, 1965b; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894)

 

 

And in case you haven't noticed, Canada isnt the only country which uses Pot.

 

Must we discuss Marijuana?

 

It should be legal in the US, its the individuals choice what to do with their body. Why should we stop them from making a bad decision?

 

And on the topic of LSD, May we establish it fact that LSD does NOT make your spine bleed, or cause any other physical ailments!

[Mad Hopz]

 

Must we discuss Marijuana?

 

It should be legal in the US' date=' its the individuals choice what to do with their body. Why should we stop them from making a bad decision?

 

And on the topic of LSD, May we establish it fact that LSD does NOT make your spine bleed, or cause any other physical ailments!

[/quote']

 

Yes. I agree. Why should the government enforce the people of a country to do something that they want to do? It's their own body that they are harming. The government should allow for individual decision making.

[Bloodrun]

On Marijuana

 

The effects of smoking marijuana have been described as follows: "euphoria' date=' reduction of fatigue, and relief of tension . . . [it will'] also increase appetite, distort the time sense, increase self-confidence, and, like alcohol, can relax some inhibitions." (Fort, 1965) A heightened awareness of color and of esthetic beauty, and the production of rich and novel mental associations are also commonly reported effects. Some users report that the marijuana experience is "psychedelic": can result in heightened awareness, or in a consciousness-expanding change in perspective, ideas about the self, life, etc. Marijuana is not, however, like LSD---a very powerful psychedelic. Whereas LSD drastically alters thoughts and perspective, often "jarring" the user into heightened awareness, marijuana "suggests" or points the way to a moderately deepened awareness. The user is free to follow these potentials or not, as they present themselves. (Mayor's Committee on Marihuana, New York City, 1944; Fort, 1965a, 1965b ; Panama Canal Zone Governor's Committee, 1933; Goldstein, 1966; Becker, 1963; De Ropp, 1957; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894) Pharmacological studies of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (the major active ingredient) are as yet inconclusive, both because of insufficient research and because of the subtlety and complexity of its effect on the human mind. Garattini (1965) tested maze-learning in rats and found that marijuana caused no change or very slight impairment; Carlini and Kramer (1965) found that maze-learning was significantly improved by an injection of a marijuana extract. Multiple active ingredients are present in the marijuana plant, and these could vary in concentration (e.g., one of the components is sedative, and another is euphoric/psychedelic). (Wolstenholme, 1965; Watt, 1965; Carlini & Kramer, 1965)

 

As with other psychedelics, the effects of marijuana depend in part on how one interprets, uses, and learns to develop them. As pointed out by many researchers in the area of philosophical/psychological effects, the environment ("setting") is of great importance. Many people have no effects whatever the first time they smoke a marijuana cigarette, but do the second or third time---and thereafter. Everyone has to learn the effects before he can use them to his own benefit. (Becker, 1963; Fort, 1965a, 1965b; Indian Hemp-Drug Commission, 1894)

 

 

And in case you haven't noticed, Canada isnt the only country which uses Pot.

 

Must we discuss Marijuana?

 

It should be legal in the US, its the individuals choice what to do with their body. Why should we stop them from making a bad decision?

 

And on the topic of LSD, May we establish it fact that LSD does NOT make your spine bleed, or cause any other physical ailments!

 

lol you had a thread about this, didnt you? and the reason its not legel in the U.S, is becuase, who is to stop the parenst and what not, from giving it to the younger kids like 5 below, and up =/

[Tkill93]

Okay lets get back on topic now :/

[Static]

*Gets Back On Topic*

 

Brief stance, you can read above for more detail:

 

Melting Pot > Mosiac

 

Why?

 

1. Promotes unity.

 

2. Discourages difference, and thus discourages civil controversy.

 

3. Makes understanding and communicating a lot easier. Body language is difference from culture to culture, but if we all are one melted culture, the body language, and the spoken language, would be the same or similar. (in the sense that Dialects apply to language)

 

*Goes To Bed... Maybe...*