There is a great deal of chatter in this country about the need for immigrants, code for Muslims of African and Asian descent, to "assimilate" into the British culture. At least one of the arguments makes sense; learning enough English to communicate in the public square. The rest of the reasoning smacks of hypocrisy, racism and fear. When for instance was the last time anyone went walking through Chinatown or Golders Green thinking "I just wish these people would integrate". I mean if they did where would we go for Kung Pao chicken or salt beef bagels? Why can't these immigrants retain their culture, their religion, their language and their dress whilst continuing to live within the larger British community?
If they don't move to the West with the intent of becoming just like us we feel that they shouldn't come. Yet if a Westerner moves somewhere in the emerging world and learns the language, adopts local dress, eats the local food and lives in the same way as the residents of that country do he or she is said to "go native" rather than saying that they have assimilated.
There wouldn't be any inherent racism buried not to deep here would there?
If they don't move to the West with the intent of becoming just like us we feel that they shouldn't come. Yet if a Westerner moves somewhere in the emerging world and learns the language, adopts local dress, eats the local food and lives in the same way as the residents of that country do he or she is said to "go native" rather than saying that they have assimilated.
There wouldn't be any inherent racism buried not to deep here would there?
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