Recentering Multiculturalism

Abstract

In this article, the authors examine the perspectives of2J educators in a qualitative study about how they believe multiculturalism fits in their classrooms and pedagogies. The authors analyze four themes: "Multiculturalism means diversity," "It is difference and the melting pot, " "We don't need it here," and "We lack the resources and the means. " The authors based their analysis of the data for recentering multiculturalism on the notion that, by accepting that as a nation we are multicultural, we face the question of how to understand one another and live together given our diversities. The authors argue that many of the perceptions they found foster domination despite implicit goals of community building and social change. The authors offer reflections and suggestions for teachers to build community through both how and what they teach.