does multiculturalism fail?

The other day, T-rav found a goldmine of a book: The Islamist by Ed Husain. He said the caption was what caught his eye: "Why I became an Islamic Fundamentalist, What I saw inside, and Why I left." I just finished it and reading that makes me want to read it again! This was a great book, the kind that I think everyone should read because it's well written and interesting and a fascinating insight into someone's life and culture.

Husain became involved with Islamic Fundamentalism when he was a young teenager, something he partially blames on the lack of cultural identity he felt in Britain. Was he Bangladeshi? Muslim? British? British-Muslim? British-Bangladeshi? And if the latter two, what did that entail? He says that during his childhood (and still today) most immigrants developed confused identities because they grew up in a multicultural society where they were not forced to integrate with the dominant culture develop confused identities, making them an easy target for extremist groups.

I think this part deserves quoting: "In its attempt to support and recognize all cultures as equal, multiculturalism fails to empower minorities. How can the children of immigrants secure jobs in the workplace and advance economically and socially when they aren't even expected to learn English...A nation bonds through its language and shared culture; separate these two things and you have the vital precursors to self-destruction."

Is this happening in America? Are we, like Britain, in trying to be nice to all our minority groups, by embracing our liberal, open-minded multiculturalism, actually damaging our culture, creating a division among people instead of bridging cultural gaps? Maybe. Our government is ever eager to appease the social and cultural (and linguistic) demands of all minorities (be it women, Hispanics, Lesbians, Native Americans, etc). But do we go too far in accepting everything? Would it be better for immigrants to simply adopt American culture and start speaking only English? Does that mean they should also abandon their own culture and langauge?

In the final pages of The Islamist, Husain implores the reader to prevent future fundamentalists (or any kind of cultural extremism) by helping our immigrants find a place in society. I thought of it like an "adopt an immigrant" plan...find the nearest non-native English speaking person on your street and become their friend, let them see American culture, help them learn how to vote and have a voice in society. In this way, an immigrant's acculturation becomes our responsibility: if we want to keep America safe and peaceful, it is our job, as American citizens, to ensure that those living in our country don't find the wrong people in their search for an identity.