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foodcourt multiculturalism (FOOD.cort mul.tee.KUL.chur.uh.liz.um) n. The practice of enjoying the attributes of several cultures other than one's own in a superficial and temporary way. Also: food-court multiculturalism.

Example Citation:
Cultural conservatives have never really understood diversity, preferring to equate it with a superficial food-court multiculturalism and with the apparatus of coercion: affirmative action, political correctness and lawsuits, lawsuits, lawsuits.
—Philip Gold, "New tactics needed for cultural wars," The Washington Post, March 8, 2002

Earliest Citation:
When multiculturalism means more than the (literal) wearing of different hats, or the assortment of fast food options available at the food court in a suburban mall, accommodating diversity becomes far more complicated. (5)...

(5) What I call the "food court multiculturalism" resembles Fish's discussion of "boutique multiculturalism."
—Alyson Cole, "The Empowered Self: Law and Society in the Age of Individualism (Review)," Michigan Law Review, May 1, 2001

Notes:
Thanks to Patrick Kalaher for suggesting this phrase.

Related Words:
bubble tea
diversity fatigue
dumb up
emotional correctness
molecular gastronomy
theme dormitory
transnational suburb

Subject Category:
Culture - Food and Drink

Posted on December 1, 2002 at 4:38 PM
Updated on December 1, 2002 at 4:38 PM


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