Multiculturalism in Britain

Azhar Bhatti discusses multiculturalism in Britain

So, what does it mean to be British in 2007?, Is there a core British identity, and can we all subscribe to it in equal measure
These, you could suppose are the crucial questions of the multi cultural debate. They are by no means simple questions; however Britain is one of the prime countries in which these questions are not only relevant and applicable, but also highly pertinent.

But before we can really tackle these questions we have to ask what do we understand by the term multiculturalism and how is it practiced here in Britain. We have to remember that things were not always the way they appear. My father tells me about the days when it was a regular occurrence to see signs reading “No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs”. But I never got to ask if that meant Asians as well.

Flippancy aside, in 2007 this would be a criminal offence. One could go as far saying that this is multiculturalism, because laws in this country have progressively tried to ensure equality of access to all, regardless of race, religion, colour, or creed.

But can laws really enable people from totally diverse backgrounds, values and religion to see and appreciate what is similar about people and what they have in common rather than what they do not.

Without pointing out the obvious, the law was not able to stop the Brixton riots, Bradford riots, Muslim sensibilities being offended during the Rushdie affair, or even the 7/7 bombings. It cannot stop people from being racially motivated to verbally abuse another or even murder.

We are now in a position when the term has come under increasing attack with prominent politicians and the media openly declaring its demise.

At the moment there is no community in Britain that has more strained relations with the “Host” community than the Muslim community. We are now at the point when even what they wear is challenged.
Are we getting back to this issue of a core sense of Britishness? Can we only be British if we pass the Tebbit Test. Excuse my indulgence but I cannot resist expounding on this point?

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Revised on 24 May 2007