Senator Oliver: Ironically in the midst of the greatest coming together of different races in the history of humankind, the age-old human vices of intolerance and prejudice persist. Discrimination continues and racism remains. As the current Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili sect, a branch of Islam, noted:
People mix and mingle, side by side, to an extent that was once unimaginable. . . . the world is becoming more pluralist in fact — but it is not keeping pace in spirit.
This view is consistent with what Nobel economist, Amartya Sen, calls “plural monoculturalism — groups that live together side by side — but do not touch, fostering resentments based on historic grievances.”
In my view, we need to find new ways, tools and incentives to bring about a change in spirit to motivate a mindset change in our societies — to one that both understands and embraces the benefits of diversity and immigration as much-needed agents of positive change for our societies.
Ismailimail 