Final answer:
Ethnicity conflicts in a multicultural society often occur when the dominant community's values feel threatened by those of specific ethnic groups, leading to misunderstanding and conflict. Healthcare inequalities and systemic issues further exacerbate these tensions, despite the potential positive aspects of multiculturalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The growing multiculturalism of American society can contribute to ethnicity conflicts when the greater community's values are jeopardized by specific ethnic values. This may arise from ethnocentrism, which can cause misunderstanding, stereotyping, and conflict. A powerful example of such ethnic tension is the case described in Anne Fadiman's book, which explores the clash between Hmong cultural beliefs and the biomedical healthcare system in the United States.
Additionally, ethnic conflicts can emerge due to disparities in healthcare quality and access, as noted in the National Healthcare Disparities Report. This inequality often stems from systemic issues within the healthcare system that affect ethnic minorities disproportionately. While mutual support within ethnic enclaves can reduce some conflicts, greater issues arise when there is a perceived threat to the dominant group's cultural norms and values, leading to social tensions.
Understanding and navigating multiculturalism is further complicated by varying perspectives on identity and sensitivity to ethnic labels, which can both enhance understanding of diversity and fuel backlash. Efforts to foster appreciation for diversity, such as diversity training, sometimes face criticism for inadvertently perpetuating stereotypes. In essence, conflicts escalate when the integration and celebration of diverse cultural practices are seen as undermining or conflicting with the predominant culture's standards.