The Authors of a new book on multiculturalism say they hope it will spark debate about the subject in Ireland.
Alana Lentin and Gavan Titley were at the launch of their book The Crises of Multiculturalism: Racism in a Neoliberal Age at The Workman’s Club in Dublin last month.
Multiculturalism is a notion difficult to define, they said, explaining that the concept has evolved over the decades and is perceived in different ways by different communities.
In Europe, they added, colonialism has taken a huge place in history and in turn influences the way multiculturalism is seen nowadays.
The authors analysed both theoretical works and contemporary events in Europe for their book, concentrating on case studies in Britain, Germany, France and Sweden.
Lentin also spoke about the evolution of the “post racism society” where “people speak about the problem of multiculturalism instead of racism”.
She said writing the book was a good way to create debate around multiculturalism in Europe and link it to international issues.
On their website, the authors explain that “the crisis of multiculturalism should more correctly be viewed as a problematisation of lived multiculture, or the fact that, due to post-colonial and globalised migration, European societies have become more noticeably diverse.”