Introduction: Celebrating Diversity

Abstract

Celebrations of diversity are the public face of multiculturalism in Canada, but there is more to it than simply overcoming fears of “difference” and developing a welcoming attitude towards new musical, culinary, and romantic experiences. Its broader meaning will be seen more clearly only after seeing through or around its simplest self-presentations, and this requires a careful, detached, “positive” examination of the multicultural values that define it as a political project, namely, diversity, tolerance, equality, freedom, recognition, authenticity, and openness. The meaning of these terms can be best understood, this introductory chapter suggests, by considering what has to be done in practice to increase the values in question.