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Since the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, during an arrest in May, 69% of people in the US report having discussed racial issues with others. Meanwhile, as the Pew research suggests, 82% say they will work with black people in their communities to resolve issues and 67% say they are supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement.

In essence, multiculturalism is the practice of giving importance to all cultures in a society. It rejects the idea that culture should be a “melting pot” and rather supports the notion of what sociologists refer to as the “salad bowl”, where different cultures coexist without domination; and where there is an integration and representation of cultures in various institutions, which can help to foster tolerance, cohesion and understanding.

Critics argue that multiculturalism has had limited impact on improving the lives of black individuals, as the majority benefiting from the oppressive system fail to recognize the need for change. Historically, black people have faced systemic disadvantages, including disparities in education, discrimination in housing and employment, limited access to social amenities, higher rates of police violence, teenage pregnancy, childbirth complications, incarceration, and health issues.

To effect meaningful change for black people, it is crucial for society to acknowledge the benefits of integration. This can be facilitated by teaching a broader curriculum that includes black history and highlighting past and present campaigns for racial and social justice. Such measures contribute to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

Adapted from the Conservation

How the failure of multiculturalism led to the rise of Black Lives Matter

A talented 27-year-old Nashville transplant aims to show the world that 'dancers come in all sizes' [...] Erik Cavanaugh, a Pittsburgh native, first began training in dance when he was 16. He lived in New York for "a hot second" before relocating to Nashville in October 2019, and he now teaches at the Millennium Dance Complex. [...]

"I realized I had almost a duty to create a platform and a space for people who don't fit into the societal norms of a dancer, or even as a gay person," he says. "They now could have someone to reference or look to, to say, "No, I can do this because Erik is." "It's not even just plus-size dancers that I've connected with," he says. "It is actors and singers and anybody really in the entertainment world that doesn't fit what we typically see... in the magazines or in the movies or on TV. So it's been great being able to reach so many different entertainers, from small up-and coming ones to even larger ones that have done major work."

Cavanaugh says he's had followers-often young people and their parents- who've been inspired to stick with dance in the face of bullying and discrimination. He's also aware of older followers who've returned to dance as a hobby after years of inactivity. "Body diversity is definitely my biggest goal, but I don't want to just stop there, because there is still so much to go," he says. "Even when it comes to our skin color in the dance world. A lot of people think just because Misty Copeland was moved to principal [dancer] in American Ballet Theatre, then we're good. But we still have a lot of work.”