Q2.2 Ethnic diversity PDF

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Q2.2 Ethnic diversity Immigration - Britain’s booming economy and the open-door policy of recent governments has resulted in the largest influx of immigrants since WW II - immigrants from new entrants to the European Union  Poland, Slovakia, the Baltic States - most of the immigrants from countries of the Commonwealth  particularly the Indian subcontinent - British Muslims have made a big contribution to British culture and everyday life  Asian restaurants + “corner shops” are part of every British townscape  especially Indian and Pakistani  popular movies + TV series have made Indian lifestyle and habits known and appreciated among the British  Indian entrepreneurs have created thousands of jobs and made a big contribution to the UK economy - no integration of a growing number of British Muslims  1980s: process of isolation when young Muslims began to adopt fundamentalist religious ideas  no speaking English at homes of British Muslim families  don’t join the social life of the wider community  unemployment among young British Muslims higher  some British employers find it difficult to employ British Muslims   

different religious festivals different days of worship and fasting among women: the wearing of the hijab

- “parallel societies”  parts of the British Muslim community seem to be in danger of growing up in that - workers from Easter Europe who adapt more easily and who often work in the social services  find themselves being accused of stealing jobs and living off benefits

Multiculturalism

Ethnic diversity and immigration in the UK 

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Britain: long history of cultural diversity and immigration 

During the last two centuries over 9 million people have moved to Britain

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Since 1945 migration focuses on former British colonies (Britain needed workers to rebuild its economy, Commonwealth enabled migration)

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Mostly immigrants from Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, etc.), but also from Africa, the Caribbean and other parts of the world

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About 8% of the population belongs to ethnic minorities (half of the members of these ethnic minorities were born in Britain, most of them live in England)

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Over 270 nationalities and approximately 250 daily spoken languages

Massive influx led to tensions, culminating in riots and racism (AntiBlack racism and racism against immigrants from South Asia) 

Public debate around multiculturalism, segregation and integration

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Ethnic communities live “parallel lives” apart from mainstream, no integration

Ethnic and cultural diversity is largely an urban phenomenon 

Largest groups live in and around London and other industrial centres

Pro  cultural diversity enriches Britain  British society becomes mixed, not segregated  learn / benefit from each other’s culture by exchanging music, tradition, food  broaden your horizon, become more tolerant, more openminded person and experiences  contribute to their culture  racist attacks have declined

Contra  fear that “Britishness” will eventually be lost (dissolution of British culture)  the British become a minority in their own country  discrimination & racism, no integration  ethnic minorities become excluded and isolated  inequality between ethnic groups  ghettoisation, riots,

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multiculturalism turned London into an economically & culturally successful and sophisticated city Britain needs immigrants (to abandon multiculturalism would make Britain a less liberal country)

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delinquency too much immigration could harm the country putting pressure on school places, housing and jobs too many immigrants have entered Britain

Integration of immigrants 

integration is important but does not mean complete assimilation 

not expected to lose their national identities but to have shared identities (upholding their cultural heritage but still being “British”)

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ethnic minorities need to get more involved in society (better integration through less discrimination and more chances for immigrants)

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in a multicultural society cultural diversity based on mutual tolerance and acceptance

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still huge inequality and discrimination of ethnic minorities (education, wealth distribution, poverty, justice system, labour market, everyday life, etc.)

conflicts and tensions between ethnic minorities and the white majority often leads to riots, mainly provoked by far right groups (racism)

Immigration - since 1948 all British Empire and Commonwealth citizens have the right to enter Great Britain - most of the immigrants are from countries of the Commonwealth (citizens of those countries have residence permits in Britain), particularly the Indian subcontinent; some are from new entrants of the European Union (e.g. Poland, Slovakia) - after WW2, Britain invited workers to fill job vacancies such as labourers and transport workers in order to help rebuild post war Britain → rise of immigration → rise of racism & racial violence - British government has tried to control immigration & its problems with laws like Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act → also makes immigration for people that are already in UK more effective

reasons for immigration - Britain: suffering from labour shortage after WWII -Immigrants: better wages, life conditions, job chances (booming economy), education for the children & aspects like democracy, more rights, freedom - Integration is important but doesn't mean complete assimilation →Immigrants aren't expected to lose their national identities, salad bowl reference: "The Character of a Nation" text → diversity, mix of cultures, most have successfully integrated

Multiculturalism - after 1945 Britain has developed into a multicultural and multi-ethnic society - pluralism & diversity - there are over 30 different ethnic groups living in London - Indians are largest & most prosperous ethnic minority group in Britain (1.4 million Indians in the UK) - black Africans have biggest unemployment rate (18 %) - almost 1 in 4 Pakistani men are taxi drivers, half of all Bangladeshi men work in restaurants → in contrast 43% of Indians work in the highest skilled professions - immigrants aren't expected to lose their national identities but to have shared identities - example for government's response to racism/xenophobia: to stop racial discrimination & to promote good relations between immigrants & the native British, Britain has founded the commission for racial equality (1967) - racism - mass of immigrants → fear of losing “Bitishness”

- through the huge inflow of immigrants after war, more & more people developed a racist attitude - at that time, many immigrants were skilled workers but racism & discrimination meant that semi or upskilled work was only option for them - when Britain's society declined in the 1960's, foreign workers & immigrants were the first to lose their jobs - reference: "We mustn't allow Muslims in public life to be silenced", blog entry by Mhedi Hasan in 2012 → describes situation as a Muslim blogger in Britain; suffers a lot of insults, harassment & even death threats because of his religion; gets calls "terrorist“, „extremist",.. → prejudices PRO Multiculturalism - pluralism/diversity created a cultural & economical vitality → f.e. due to the linguistic variety → food (Chicken Tikka Massala) - learning from each other - forms an open minded & cosmopolitan society - gives people great individual choice b.c of different cultures / offers in many ways - equality - skilled workers from foreign countries - Britain continues to be the preferred location for multinational companies setting up in Europe

CONTRA Multicultuarlism - loss of "Britishness" / loss of culture of immigrants - language problems - racial tensions & racism - cultural clash, racism - creation of cultural areas/ghettos, most immigrants live and work with people belonging to the same race - doesn't provide a vision of society - fear of spread of extremism & radical religions/beliefs - fear to be seen as a racist country, Britain does not enough to prevent mass of immigrants → Birmingham Speech (1968) by Enoch Powell

→ Chicken Tikka Massala (2001) by British foreign secretary Robin Cook

Typical problems and conflicts of second generation immigrants Clash of cultures 

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most of them experience a clash of cultures  outside: adopt a western lifestyle  at home: live according to values, beliefs and traditions which is typical for their parent’s home countries often the biggest challenge is how to become committed citizens in a modern Britain without forgetting about their roots and home country caught between two cultures (modern – traditional) cultural identity problem: split cultural identities and live a double life especially for woman and girls: problem of role identity (different gender roles)

Difficulties and pressure to conform to certain standards and expectations problems when it comes to living up to the expectations of their parents, friends, teachers, etc. (feeling judged, excluded, discriminated and treated unfairly) sometimes instead of following their parent’s path of job, integration and material prosperity, they turn to religion to give their life a meaning

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Integration vs. Assimilation The ethnically diverse nature of Muslims communities in Britain has been at the centre of debate about what it means to be ‘British’, and the place of Muslims within ‘British’ society. Should people from ‘minority’ communities be expected to assimilate, or integrate? Indeed what is the difference between these terms? Assimilation can be described as the process whereby outsiders, immigrants, or subordinate groups become indistinguishable within the dominant host society, eventually conforming to the existing cultural norms of society. In contrast, integration involves adding to the existing culture which in turn transforms and enhances society. Many Muslims reject any call for assimilation. For them, assimilation is tantamount to a loss of cultural, religious, ethnic identity, and an expectation of conformity to the norms of the majority. But most British Muslims are enthusiastic about integration in order to live, and to let others live, in a fair and free society. In fact, it can be argued that the majority of young Muslims are already integrated. Most third and fourth generation Muslims were born in Britain, have been to school here, and live and work in local communities that contribute to society at large. Perhaps not surprisingly, Muslims are sometimes critical about calls for their ‘integration’ where the assumption is that ‘they’ will integrate into ‘our’ ways as if ‘our’ ways (whatever they are?!) are somehow ‘better’ or superior. Instead, many British Muslims are keen to engage in a more dialogical process which sees their religious and cultural traditions contributing to British society. Muslims are often told they need to ‘assimilate’ or ‘integrate’ to become better members of society. But is this call really about religion? Are the thousands of ethnically British people who have converted to Islam similarly asked to assimilate or integrate? Christianity was once itself an imported Middle Eastern religion, so perhaps the pressure on Muslims ‘to fit in’ is aimed more at their cultures, rather than their religion? Integration is not about losing identity. Rather it is about maintaining identity and belief while being able to celebrate differences and work with

others in civic society. This is not to say that it is an easy process; for many Muslims, aspects of British culture are at odds with their own norms and traditions. Integration is perhaps best seen as mutual compromise, a process that requires mutual respect from all parties. We might use a culinary metaphor to make the point. Assimilation is rather like the process of making soup, where the ingredients lose their identity as they are blended together. Integration can be likened to a fruit salad where the individual fruits, with their varying colours and sizes contribute to the beauty of the dish. In the next part of the course, we will see how the British Muslim photographer Peter Sanders explores the notions of assimilation and integration. Through the lens of his camera, we see a wide range of British Muslims living and working as ‘integrated’ citizens in our society.

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FANATIC (HANIF K UREISHI)

Plot: - Parvez is a Pakistani immigrant living in England; he works as a taxi driver & has assimilated to Western ways of life - Parvez’ son, Ali, seems to embrace the lives of his British friends - Parvez is growing more & more suspicious of his son as he notices apparent changes in Ali’s behavior - Parvez talks to his colleagues & to his friend Bettina, a prostitute - All his “dreams of doing well in England” crumble when his son confesses that he is disgusted by his father’s neglect of Muslim precepts & his disregard of the ban on alcohol & pork meat - Increasingly disturbed by Ali’s religious fundamentalism & his contempt for assimilation, Parvez one night repeatedly hits his son  Ali reacts with only the question “So who’s the fanatic now?” Point of view & effect on the reader: - Parvez as the story’s protagonist - We perceive Parvez’ thoughts & feelings  the reader emphasizes with him - The reader judges Ali through his actions & Parvez’ opinion - Ali’s character remains indistinct  impression of aloofness

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Bettina & her role: - Female prostitute; her clothing responds to her job - Knows Parvez for three years; they see each other most nights; they talk about everything - Cares about Parvez; does not judge him & Ali; gives Parvez useful advice Parvez & Ali: Western way of life

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View on religion

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Parvez Welcomes the western way of life Assimilated Accepts the rules of western societies Recognizes the possibilities of western countries Made negative experiences with Islam as a child Totally disinterested in the Koran Does not obey Islamic rules

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Ali Hates to live in the west Western civilization = evil Wants to go back to the country of his origins Ungrateful to England & to the possibilities he has Sees Islam as a liberator from evil Disgusted by his father’s negligence towards Islam Feels as if Muslims were inferiors in the western world...