A friend of mine has been teaching Mathematics for many years at a high school located in one of the most racially challenged neighborhoods of New York City. She is a very dedicated person and race was never a consideration or an obsession in her personal or professional life.
In that recent day, an African American child was loudly complaining to a Puerto Rican buddy about how the teacher is showing discriminatory attitudes when grading him. My friend, the teacher was present, and needless to say, overheard the conversation the children were not even trying to hide. The explanation supporting the discriminating pretense didn’t take long to be revealed: “You see” the child submitted to his friend, “it is simply because she is white and I am black”. To which the Puerto Rican kid promptly and surely contradicted “No!, this teacher is not white, …she is Romanian!”
The idea of continuous civilization and common culture, based on traditions and pride is succumbing to the notion of globalization. Some “traditions and prides” are hailed in spite of other “traditions and prides” with a sick misunderstanding that certain ones are better or more self-evident.
The point is, while diversity in civilizations and cultures should be listed as assets and countries around the world should cherish and celebrate them, the reality on this concept is not only far from perfect but it is simply reduced to wishful thinking.
A successful multicultural dialogue will help the partners in talks by explaining to each other the origin of their misunderstandings and exploring the possibility of common grounds. As seen above, a hard and too complicated of a goal to be achieved in our times. Moreover, trying to overcome those separating boundaries may prove to be a worthless effort when these boundaries are not clearly defined to start with. Besides, the dialogues are but a first step. As soon as a flicker of hope sparks, real steps in consolidating the achievement, no matter how small and insignificant, must be taken on the ground, beyond the negotiation table. Only such steps stand a chance in furthering the desired prospects of reconciliation.
Synergy among economic partners, the possible intended purpose of any dialogue has chances of success only in peaceful times. In absence of peace and quiet, economic and cultural development of emerging countries is unfortunately stagnated. Charming touristic sites, no matter how much structurally improved, decline in absence of tourists and the related funds they bring. Cultural exchanges dim while prejudices rise. New generations develop, needlessly pounded by renewed sacrifices, displacements and horrors.
Peace is scarce, war is permanent.
And, I am sorry to conclude that except for small, local and uncharacteristic achievements, the hopes for multicultural dialogues seem to be dead on arrival, at least for now.