Cultural assimilation reflects the fusion and the interpretation of the different ethnic minority groups in the dominant culture of the society. The immigrant group is expected to assume the behavior, norms and values of eth dominant group and their challenges stem from the lack of tolerance for these groups by the majority groups that are not tolerant of the differences in the racial and ethnic of the minority groups. The minority group cannot effect any change in the society and as a result, the ethnic characteristics or beliefs of these minority eventually disappear. On the other hand cultural diversity reflects the different cultural groups in the society. Cultural diversity also reflects the different norms and that makes directs the way in which culture impacts the standard for the society. Both Orwell and Goldsmith address the issues of cultural diversity and assimilation in the society and reveal the ways in which these issues impact the society.
In many cases, the members of the majority groups do not accept the diversity in culture and neither do they accept the addition of culture to that of the majority groups. In fact, many persons in the majority groups believe that persons from different groups are wrong in their beliefs and practices, but the reality is that cultural diversity and cultural assimilation can help to improve the society and create a richer culture. On the one hand, Orwell makes use of the vivid imagery which reveals that the people of Marrakech formed a part of the harsh reality of the lack of cultural identify. He points out that there is “no gravestone, no name, no identifying mark of any kind” (Orwell 2) which suggests that these dead persons could not be identified by those who lived in Marrakech. In contrast, Goldsmith offers the views that the majority groups can accept the diversity of the culture of the minority groups in the society without losing their love for their country.
The differences in the cultural diversity were clear as Orwell makes references to the oppressive ruling that came through the Imperialist European regime. Orwell points out that these persons rise out of the earth, they work ad starve for a number of years and yet there labor goes unrecognized. The truth is that persons who are a part of a culturally diverse society often face the challenge of being unaccepted by the minority groups in the society. The reference to the term underfoot also points to the majority groups in the society taking advantage of the peoples who form the minority groups. Orwell also understands the lack of acceptance for the minority groups in the society, but is adamant that persons should attempt to understand that these other cultures and assess the “the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy” (Goldsmith 4) and not become biased in the judgment of other cultures.
Orwell also makes references to the Imperialist regime that existed at the time and formed the dominant group. This group hopes to change the lives of the natives because the dominant group in the society often believes that their culture is better and as such they impose their dreams and policies on the minority groups. The reference to the different races in Marrakech and the going through the Jewish quarters makes it clear that the minority groups are often invisible in the society (Orwell 7). Their inability to own land outside of the restricted areas also reiterates the acceptance that comes with the years of acceptance as of the inferior positions these persons hold in the society.
In concluding culturally diverse societies allow for discrimination of the minority groups as the majority groups tend to assert their power and control of the society. In addition, the minority groups are expected to work hard for their earnings but often, they are not recognized for the services they provide to the society. Orwell and Goldsmith offer similar views on the desolation that comes with cultural diversity and cultural assimilation are not always wholly accepted by the majority groups in the society. Goldsmith suggests that cultural diversity and assimilation become negative when persons do not understand the minority culture and this can be changed if one begins to accept the diversity of the different culture.
Works Cited
Goldsmith, Richard “National Prejudices” 2014 Web 17 Feb 2016
<http://grammar.about.com/od/classicessays/a/goldsmithessay7.htm>
Orwell, George “Marrakech” (n.d) Web 17 Feb 2016
<http://orwell.ru/library/articles/marrakech/english/e_mar>
