multiculturalism

multiculturalism

the acknowledgement and promotion of cultural pluralism. In opposition to the tendency in modern societies to cultural unification and universalization, multiculturalism both celebrates and seeks to protect cultural variety (e.g. minority languages), while at the same time focusing on the often unequal relationship of minority to mainstream cultures. After decades of persecution, the prospects of indigenous or immigrant cultures are now helped somewhat by the support they receive from international public opinion and the international community (e.g. the United Nations). see also PLURAL SOCIETY.

Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000

Multiculturalism

(pop culture)

During comics’ Golden Age (1938–1954), the nascent medium of superhero comic books was overrun with cultural stereotypes, a manifestation of societal prejudices widely, and sometimes innocently, held at the time. Captain Aero’s “little Chinese pal,” Chop Suey; the Lone Ranger’s “faithful Indian companion,” Tonto; and Mandrake the Magician’s “obedient African aide”, Lothar, were among the characters that marginalized the value of minorities.

The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes © 2012 Visible Ink Press®. All rights reserved.