Those who think multiculturalism is impossible might perhaps find Surinam a very interesting country. Whites, native Americans, blacks, Asians... Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Hindus... They all live side by side in peace and are proud of their own little country.
Oh, small nation on the Atlantic coast
Tropical wind blows over your green fields
Where mosque and church stand side by side
All colours of the rainbow are present
From white, via yellow, red and brown to black
There where the spirits howl at night
We may perhaps find and example
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Written by Phil (6393 comments posted) 17th November 2007 |
Perhaps, perhaps not. Dogged by civil war and dictatorship in its recent history and according to a few net sources, including the BBC, different cultures keep themselves to themselves at all but the elite level.
I don't think a multicultural society is needed for different peoples to live side by side peacefully and producively. Just a little understanding and mutual respect. In the case of Suriname, its history dictates its cultural mixes. In the UK, the dominant culture is slowly being dismantled by the state and replaced with law.
However, if it's as good as you say, I take it back!
Phil |
Written by gutterkitty (362 comments posted) 17th November 2007 |
| A bit too idyllic for my liking. I don't think any country can claim to have complete peace between the races and religions. Also found the rainbow metaphor clichéd. Sorry. |
Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 17th November 2007 |
Hi Phil.
I haven't been there myself, but I have family over there and some of my friends come from Surinam too. Some people perhaps stick to their own group, but for what I heard they do get along well and many Surinamese are of mixed descent.
Surinamese food is perhaps the best example of multiculturalism: It has borrowed from all those cultures.
The dictature was a typically South American junta. It did try to set up the natives against the Maroons, but I don't think they had much success in doing so. It wasn't based on ethnicity, but because the rebels mainly got their support from Maroon villages, the junta mainly attacked those. Yet that war was very local and it ended about a decade ago.
The country has its problems: Corruption, poverty, drug-trade etc... But not much violence between the many different groups I think (and that while everyone owns a gun over there). |
Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 17th November 2007 |
Thanks gutterkitty.
Hm... Thinking about the criticism Phil offered, I think there's some point in that. People might favour their own ethnic groups, so that could be considered some sort of racism too, but the thing is: Most of them are first and foremost Surinamese and only then Creole, Maroon, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese etc... |
Written by wt (137 comments posted) 17th November 2007 |
Fledermauss
Can you not sense the mouse
That in war scavenges
And compromises the House
Ethnic tension is rife
And with a petty knife
You only have to blame
The Lord of the Manor
Think not, only feel
That on the island you speak of
The English may speak
But the Yank has his piece of
Harmony no
Only the devide
Phil can Explain
There's no where to hide
Life is a battle
And you surely know
You brought up the subject
Who has to Go?
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Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 17th November 2007 |
Thanks wt.
I did not write about England here  Rather about a country which I think did better in that respect than most European countries or even the USA.
Again, the dictature and civil war had nothing to do with ehtnicity: Soldiers took power and shot their political opponents (irrespective of colour). Some people (who are nearly as controversial as the dictator himself) resisted and fought a guerilla war from the jungle.
Whatever problems Surinam has seem to have to do with corruption, drug-trafficking, poverty and a lack of medicines and equipment rather than with ethnic tensions.
Perhaps my friends and family are at what Phil referred to as 'elite level', but they seem to make friends with people from different groups easily.
As for England: It seems to me they still did a better job than the Netherlands... |
Written by wt (137 comments posted) 18th November 2007 |
Fledermauss
The Maroons would surely tell you
That slaves and locals alike
Did the Dutch leave to ponder
Were certainly ethnic in strife
As for the loss of a colony
I'm certain your friends would say
For the Brits and the Yanks around the corner
Today is most truly the day
And where the boxite is really quite ample
As are the oil and the gold
Surely the've only yet sampled
In with the new and out with the old
|
Written by punchy (372 comments posted) 18th November 2007 |
If only us brits could learn some tolerance, we are surrounded with racism and narrow minded bigots, even members of my own family rant on about immigrants and it sickens me to the stomach. I love your poem even if it only gives us a sense of hope at least. If only more poets and writers could stand up for justice and multiculturalism.good for you Fledermaus  |
Hi Fledermaus
Written by jean.day (2196 comments posted) 18th November 2007 |
| I liked your poem too, and found hope in it. |
Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 19th November 2007 |
| Thanks punchy and Jean. :-) |
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