How and why have multiculturalists supported minority rights?

Minority rights, otherwise referred to as multicultural rights are rights given to minority groups such as ethnic or religious. They are special in two ways; 1. They are established to certain groups. 2. They offer advantages to certain groups.

INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM – INDIVIDUAL SELF-RESPECT + CULTURAL MEMBERSHIP:
One reason as to why multiculturalists may agree with minority rights is that it advances individual freedom, this is supported by liberal multiculturalist Charles Taylor who saw a link between individual self-respect and culture membership. Therefore, culture is vital for minorities to live an autonomous life and hence minority rights must be safeguarded.

PREVENTS OPRESSION – FAILURE OF RECOGNITION + CULTURAL IMPERIALISM:
A second reason is the argument that it prevents oppression. It is possible that a state can harm their citizens by ignoring their cultural identity – a process Charles Taylor calls failure of recognition therefore, there must be minority rights to avoid cultural imperialism (domination) by the host country.

REDUCES SOCIAL INJUSTICE – AFRICAN AMERICANS SOCIAL DISCRIMIBATION:
Lastly, the argument that minority rights reduce social injustice is supported by multiculturalists. Such examples the underrepresentation of cultural groups. This is done through positive discrimination as evident with black Americans in 1978 with the case of University of California v Bakke where African Americans were able to enter University with lower grades.

SIMMERING MELTING POT – DIFFERENT TASTES AND PERSPECTIVES:
Cosmopolitan multiculturalists may argue that giving minority rights will allow for diversity and other are able to taste and have different perspectives – society becomes a simmering melting pot – James