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Is Integration a One-Way Street?
Posted by: The Platform
Tags: community,integration,minorities,multiculturalism Posted date:
June 23, 2011 |
11 Comments
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By Dr Salman Al-Azami
In a previous post I discussed why ethnic minorities should integrate with the majority community. This time I would like to look at the other side of the coin: is it possible for ethnic minorities to integrate if the majority community is not ready to accept them? If members of an ethnic minority are looked at with suspicion, sometimes even hatred, just because they look different or dress in a way others do not like, can we expect to see an integrated society?
Five years ago, I and my wife rented a property in Chigwell, Essex. When we first went to see the house, the next-door neighbour was standing outside his door with visible suspicion in his eyes. During my next visit to the property, the outgoing tenants, a couple from New Zealand, told me how that particular neighbour reacted to them about our potential move, saying that he was not culturally sensitive – indicating to my wife’s hijab. After we moved to the house, we observed that the neighbours on the other side, an elderly couple, would also often look out of their window with suspicion whenever we passed, as if we came from a different planet. We felt extremely uneasy about this and thought that the best way to minimize any hostility from the locals would be to mix with them, so we decided to invite the neighbours for coffee. The elderly couple rudely said ‘no’ to my face, whilst another neighbour was more diplomatic in her declination by saying she had other engagements. We understood that we would not be welcome even if we tried, so we decided to carry on with our lives.
Did we deserve this behaviour? I understand the grievances of many people about immigration, but this was completely unacceptable. I am pretty sure that many readers have had similarly bitter experiences. The government and the media never stop talking about the failure of ethnic minorities in integrating with the mainstream society, yet they seldom talk about the responsibility of the majority community. I have no doubt that ethnic minorities have a major role to play, but is integration a one-way street? How can an immigrant integrate if the host community is not ready to accept them? It is true that hardly anyone says anything directly because of race issues, but many people certainly make ethnic minorities feel that they are not welcome in this country. This further alienates minorities and the end result is that the communities often lead completely separate lives while living just next to each other. This separation is passed on from one generation to the next and is exemplified by segregated schools, which are very common in areas with a significant ethnic minority presence.
An important reason for segregation is prejudice. If you have no idea about a community, you may end up believing whatever the media or anyone else says about them. Remember the uproar when the Archbishop of Canterbury talked about applying some aspects of Sharia law in this country? I teach a module called ‘Language and Cultural Identity in Britain’ where I and my students often discuss these controversial issues in a ‘politically incorrect’ environment so that everyone can give their opinions freely. I once asked them what they felt about ‘arranged marriage’. To my surprise, many of them thought it to be similar to ‘forced marriage’. Some even thought that ‘honour killing’ was an Islamic phenomenon. They seemed to have developed all these misconceptions through media representations without actually mixing with people from those communities.
Things do change if communities come closer to each other. With good knowledge of ‘the other’, prejudice generally disappears. My students often ask me questions about Asian and other cultures, and hearing from me removes a lot of the prejudices they may previously have held. This works the other way round as well. Ethnic minorities may also have some prejudices about the majority community, which, again, can change through interaction and integration.
The official policies in this country in terms of equal opportunities and race relations are fantastic, and ethnic minorities here are much better off than many other western countries. However, there is lack of understanding and mutual cooperation between communities because of prejudice. We must put an end to the blame game that many of us have developed across communities. In addressing these problems, the government often uses the term ‘tolerance’; apparently communities must ‘tolerate’ each other . I prefer the word ‘respect’, which is more positive. We may tolerate someone even if we dislike the person, but ‘respect’ does not have that pessimistic attitude and therefore may act as a positive motivation to know other cultures.
It is not easy to change attitudes and I do not profess to have a magic formula. My humble advice however, would be for everyone to put some effort in to knowing the person from the other community who lives next door; or who we often meet at the local shop but never speak to; perhaps a colleague whom we know very well professionally but not personally. This may be a positive step towards the integrated society we all would like to live in.
Dr Salman Al-Azami holds a PhD in Linguistics and is a Lecturer in English Language at Liverpool Hope University. His research interests include bilingualism, language in education, religious discourse & media and language of advertising.
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11 Comments
Jackson
Isn’t the last line imposing author’s own wish on everyone? How does he know we all would like to live in an integrated society? And can those who don’t want it be blamed? If a kid from the streets comes and wants to be just part of a family would that be easy for everyone in the family to just accept that? And let’s face it, immigrants aren’t here for cultural exchange or anything, they’re here for the money and the opportunity. They don’t go to Africa and integrate to their society! We’re sharing everything and they want respect too! Should’ve thought of that before abandoning your own country. Who’d respect a foster kid who abandoned his own family just to get into a better family?
I may sound harsh but truth is reality is harsh. They talk about how they’re treated, how about how they welcome immigrants? Most asian countries don’t even give citizenship. And a person from west living the western lifestyle in those countries will get a lot more stares and frowns than immigrants get here! Actually in countries like Saudi arab they’d give severe punishments, and here not saying hi is a big deal!
Why not fix your own countries attitude before criticising west? Better yet, why not stay there fixing your problems? Why it is so important to integrate into another society and trying to force others to accept you as it’s part when you already have a society? And you want respect for a culture and society that you yourself thought wasn’t good enough for you!
I know time is changing and many are comfortable with this, but don’t expect everybody to get along well with the foster kid who wormed his way in into the family.
saleh
u said that,we are here for opportunities!funny,very funny,u guys took all from Asia and then built ur nation…what u have some way it was our…so pls know the true history,how so called business became lord…where we are it because of u,
Shaheen
I guess the author has good intentions but I don’t see the point of a blog like this. The minority can’t force the majority into changing themselves, and certainly not by criticising them. Maybe it’ll make a few people understand, probably those who were already understanding. But it’ll make most feel bitter, no one likes criticism! Things like this lead to arguments which only increase the resentments and conflicts. So in my opinion the harms of such blog easily outweighs the benefits.
Jackson
Actually what YOU say is funny. And very pathetic!
So the true history is, west had nothing, then they came to asia, took everything from them and then build their own nation? If they had to build their nation with things from asia then how did they defeat the asians in the first place? Were the asians in that generation as pathetic and stupid as this one!?
Even if nothing was taken from you, your countries will still be just as miserable. You’d have spent all that as stupidly as you’re doing with what you have now. Many countries in asia have hit oil, what good that is doing them?
So you’re saying if my grandfather stole something from your grandfather, you’ve every right to rob me of everything I have now!? Well, whatever you think we owe you, take it and go back to your own country! We didn’t try to ‘integrate’. Your ancestors made war against us. Now you’re taking things and still mind if you don’t get a ‘hi’ from everyone!
Yeah, businessmen became lord and they were driven out. Now that the ethnic community in name of integration is becoming a parasitic infestation what should be done with it? Tolerating it is pushing the limits. Asking respect is actually a quite shameless thing to do from that position.
saleh
I never mean this way.we are for opportunities thats true.Mate,keep one thing in ur mind,”Only one nation did not build this world,it was a join effort”.As I have mentioned we are responsible for our bad luck,you guys too.I respect the hard work of western world.They have something positive thats why they are now on top.
We are not looking for respect from you guys, as it comes naturally. You talking about pay back…something you cannot pay back.They destroyed our structures.This treatment is not about Asia but also in Australian Aboriginal history.For opportunities,the settlers killed thousand of unarmed people. But they got pardon under Governor General as under the “Flora and Fauna act”.If Aboriginals shot -will be considered accidental shooting of Flora and Fauna,I am talking about this true history.
Now You taking about “human right” but you forefather considered the aboriginal as apt,so how can we expect respect from you guys,you learnt from them,don’t you?In 1805,colony’s deputy judge advocate Richard Atkins –stated that Aborigines could not be witnesses or criminals before a court as “Aborigines are at present incapable of being brought before a criminal court. They should be pursued and inflict punishment as they merit.What do you know about “Black War” in Australia?In 1834,killed 40 Aboriginal people,children were decapitated,women were raped,babies were thrown on the fire alive and two girls were kept alive for sexual pleasure, can you pay back their society.Rat poison was put in flour and given to the native Aboriginals in an attempt to “CULL” the local population.It is funny,when you talked about payback. They were really innocent,your forefather killed them. Neither Aboriginal nor Asian people looked for help from you guys,you went all the areas to build you fortune.
Anyway,when you needed to build your nation,you took many of us as migrant.Now that are burden.You are the best to use other.I would like to say it again,”one nation did not build this world”.We don’t want any respect from you,you guys gave us a lot!
Robin
So that’s why some asians evade tax or get benefits without trying to do anything or steal or mug 😮 They think it’s their own money! They actually believe what they do are justifyable! Funny indeed o.0
Jackson
You’re saying the same things again. That because our forefather did something bad to your forefathers now we’ve to bear you. Whoever did any crime only they should pay, not their sons or grandsons.
Yeah one nation didn’t build this world. I’m here not by my own efforts alone, but I still won’t let people from the street stay in my house.
The author talked about respect, so you disagree with him on that regard? Well, if immigrants can admit that they’re opportunists, they should live as one as well. Realize what you are and be satisfied that you’re tolerated. Why ask about respect and not getting a hi!?
Abdul Aziz
I read this article (and some of the subsequent comments) with much interest.
Dr Salman, many of the comments are commensurate with my own views and I particularly read with interest where you applied your expertise insofar as identifying political rhetoric and the missed opportunity, as it were. The word ‘tolerance’ is indeed characterised by negative undertones, and perhaps your suggestion of using the word ‘respect’ would be a better idea.
I also read Jackson’s views with much interest. Jackson raised one valid points; it’s true- who says everyone wishes to live in an integrated world? However, I’d suggest he/she look at this topic holistically and realise that in a globalised world, such narrow views are not the way forward.
Margaret Cooper
Margaret Cooper
Email; riyadhsaudi@yahoo.com
and would appreciate it if you can respond to enclosed pls
Q1what are the top 10 priorities that Muslim youths wish to change to improve their future?
Q2) how do they intend to go about making these changes? & at who’s costs?
Q3) should the EU or any other country’s existing populations have to change to accommodate these changes? If so, what are the profits to be retained from these changes? Would any EU/USA/Asian nationals have the right to do the same to the existing Muslim in their own Muslim countries, just to accommodate the lifestyle of the EU/USA/Asians?
Q4) the Muslim women are the biggest spenders in the global beauty industries! How do you account for justifying what the Muslim veil represents, when Muslim women want exactly the same as any modern western women wants? & that is to belong to groups, to be viewed as beautiful? the only difference in the use of the clothing between western women and Muslim women, is that Muslim women use their beauty as a bait for a target of 1-which in most cases works out to be the highest bidder for their affection and a contract is signed to secure payment for the use of this beauty-whereas western women take a wider fishing bait, and they show the whole world all their beauty and clothes/makeup/perfume used to create this beauty, unlike the Muslim women who hide all this until it’s been paid for by their contracted admirer!
Q5)would your Islam religion and law respect a Divorce Law as they provide in the UK, in particular case no; OUC68065-is this the freedom muslim women are seeking to come to UK to be abused by the divorce law, just as in my case?
Q6) would you be interested in co-producing a global interactive festival to make this happen?
Reality is always harsh when you see it in Black and White! Yes, I should know, I have lived in Libya and Saudi Arabia, and there was no way that the women nor the men, was going to change to accommodate me, or any of the expats, or the men/women married to Muslim persons! So why should we in the EU/USA/Asia change to accommodate Muslim beliefs?
George
I have no problems Brits sending foreigners home as long as they take back the Brits, especially the white English who work abroad on fat salaries and perks. All the English want is a one way street. They love their fat salaries abroad, but don’t want to reciprocate.
Sir, you have depicted a nice picture of multicultural society, which is very true.We (me and other) live Australia, we often experience this kind of situation. Some of our neighbour are ok (20%), some are so called multicultural mentality (30%), and some are very bad-mannered (50%), they cannot tolerance other community. Most of them do not like to say hi, so called “stranger danger”.
One day I was listening Bangla music, just after few moment someone knocked my door and put a note saying that,” Your choice is not similar to ours”. The lady who used to be my neighbour, she often did these kinds of activities, but pretended that she was so good to me. (Anyway, before leaving her flat, she presented me some chocolates).This does not happen only in community level, but also at work.
We often have been stereotyped. However, I would like to say, to some extent we are responsible for this, last few decade who came here from our country, they sometime misrepresent our culture and values. Our media, government and many non-governments are responsible for this. They only show our poverty and flood to them for their own benefits, we are the true representative of poverty, flood and corruption. I do not know about UK, but here “Middle-east” people’s attitude toward Asian community is worse than other. They not only harass and beat Asian (Indian, Bangladeshi) but also mug.