Fish's concept of "boutique multiculturalism" refers to the commodification of diversity in higher education. This approach to diversity reduces it to a commodity that can be marketed to potential students, rather than addressing the underlying issues that perpetuate inequality and exclusion.
In recent years, many universities have begun to promote their diverse student body and multicultural campus as a selling point to attract more students. While this may seem like a positive step towards diversity, according to Fish, it can be problematic because it reduces diversity to a superficial aspect that can be exploited for marketing purposes. This approach to diversity fails to address the underlying issues that perpetuate inequality and exclusion, and instead focuses on the superficial aspects of diversity.
For instance, a university may boast about its diverse student body, but fail to address issues of systemic racism or discrimination that students from marginalized communities may face on campus. This approach to diversity reinforces the idea that diversity is only important as a marketing tool, rather than as a fundamental goal of higher education.
Fish argues that true diversity involves a more radical rethinking of the structures and practices of higher education, rather than simply adding more diverse voices to the mix. This means that universities need to be more proactive in addressing the underlying issues that perpetuate inequality and exclusion, rather than simply paying lip service to diversity and multiculturalism. It requires acknowledging and addressing the systemic issues that create barriers to access and success for marginalized communities.
Example of boutique multiculturalism
An example of boutique multiculturalism in higher education can be seen in the way that universities market themselves to prospective students. Many universities have begun to promote their diverse student body and multicultural campus as a selling point to attract more students. While this may seem like a positive step towards diversity, according to Fish, it can be problematic because it reduces diversity to a commodity that can be marketed to potential students. This approach to diversity fails to address the underlying issues that perpetuate inequality and exclusion, and instead focuses on the superficial aspects of diversity.
For instance, a university may boast about its diverse student body, but fail to address issues of systemic racism or discrimination that students from marginalized communities may face on campus. This approach to diversity reinforces the idea that diversity is only important as a marketing tool, rather than as a fundamental goal of higher education.
Fish argues that true diversity involves a more radical rethinking of the structures and practices of higher education, rather than simply adding more diverse voices to the mix. This means that universities need to be more proactive in addressing the underlying issues that perpetuate inequality and exclusion, rather than simply paying lip service to diversity and multiculturalism.
See also: 5 Thinkers who had something to say about the place of universities in society
Stanley Fish's Reader-Response Theory Explained