Multiculturalism and ethnic identity: the relationships between racism and resistance

With the massive changes occurring in global migration, one issue which continues to attract particular attention is that of immigration policy and its effects on migrants’ ethnic identity or ethnicity. An associated issue of great concern is the effects that immigrants have on national identity. In Australia, multiculturalism has taken on a generally positive meaning, especially for migrants, as an arrangement of specific social policies and programs. However, both multiculturalism and ethnic identity are frequently under attack from various sectors of the community. This paper examines both multiculturalism and ethnic identity and the relationship between them in order to understand the contradictions and ambivalences embedded within them today. Further, in order to understand the shifting position of multiculturalism, ethnic identity and national identity, the analysis focuses on the relationship between racism and resistance