Assimilation, in the 21st century?

[Jan Tucker]

Don, How about discussing cultural pluralism and how will cultural diversity
survive in the "global culture"?
How are individual cultural traditions and languages changing, being
preserved, being revitalized?
What is loss to human kind if assimilation takes place? Are there models to
look at that will shed light on cultural preservation in an era of rapid
assimilation by subtraction?

Talking about assimilation is more in line with the colonial perspective and
after the fact. Talking about this
issue from the pluralist view point or even separatist viewpoint you can
highlight what groups have done to adapt to the changing world and the
impact of their actions assimilationist or pluralist on the groups affected.
I prefer to look from that other side of assimilation myself.

jan tucker
adjunct professor
applied cultural anthropology
Lake City Community college
Saint Leo University

-----Original Message-----
From: Indigenous Languages and Technology
[mailto:ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU]On Behalf Of Donald Z. Osborn
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 8:16 AM
To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: Assimilation, in the 21st century?


I would like to invite anyone interested to participate in a consideration
of
the concept of assimilation on the Assimilation list - see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Assimilation/ .

Assimilation, of course, is a process by which individuals of a more or less
distinct group are subsumed into the identity of a larger society. As such
it
has long been a goal of many plural states, and also of many immigrant
groups
settling in different countries. Often its meaning seems to be assumed
without
much clarity as to what the implications are. Sometimes the implications are
too clear, with minorities obliged one way or another to conform.

The "Assimilation" group seeks to explore
* what "assimilation" means in an era of globalization, integration (i.e.,
transnational, like the European Union, etc.), and migration, and
* what other similar terms like "acculturation" mean in this context.

These questions bring up other issues, such as the future of the
nation-state,
and forms of multiculturalism and national identities. And other related
questions too, such as: Is it possible to speak of assimilation to an
emerging
"global culture," and if so what would that mean for cultural traditions and
discussion of assimilation within countries?

Does it make any sense to talk of assimilation in the 21st century? If so,
how
and in what ways? If not, is there another term/concept that is more
appropriate and productive for changing realities that peoples and nations
are
living today?

Don Osborn