Reflections on Multiculturalism...so far...

I wonder whether or not non-white students are “othered” more when there are token “multicultural” and “diversity” celebrations in which such cultures are recognized without white nationalities being explicitly explained or included. Does this not establish an “us vs. them” idea? If white is the “given,” the “norm” that need not be “celebrated,” then we are assuming that for the months out of the year that aren’t “black history month,” etc., than all other times are obviously Caucasian-centered. Would it be less harmful, I wonder, to spend a week on, say, Polish composers in a music class as we move around the world? In other words- to promote a global perspective by discussing white nationalities and European contributions as part of multicultural education, rather than multicultural education merely supplementing the traditional? I feel like multiculturalism and diversity have come to say, “let’s include ‘everybody else’ for a unit or a theme,” and then get back to the standard, implicit dominant culture. If we are going to “celebrate diversity,” then we should acknowledge all our different cultures EXPLICITLY so that no one group is implied as the default. Caucasians might fear explicitness of this sort because, as Delpit observed, liberal whites in positions of power try to underplay their power because it makes them guilty and uncomfortable. This is not critical behavior. Acknowledge the nationalities, classes, races, and religions that have been valued differently in our society. Indeed, it is vitally important to learn about subordinated cultures. However, if we cannot acknowledge dominant cultures and peoples, students will not get the full picture. Instead, they will be schooled into believing that the curriculum gives them a nod for a unit here and there. If we are not all included in multiculturalism and diversity- yes, even whites- these words will continue to evolve into euphemisms for the othered. In traditional curricula, white-centered perspectives are the given. This cannot be reversed without naming.