The Integration of Individuals from Various Cultural Backgrounds within Britain - Essay Example

The notion that one has to force the integration of individuals from various cultural backgrounds within Britain is one that has been explored and debated to a great extent in contemporary Britain. This has been an area of interest especially since British society has been undergoing a metamorphosis wherein it is becoming increasingly multi-ethnic and multicultural and as a direct result faces unique concerns. These concerns relate to many areas of multiculturalism and beg the question of how individuals of varying ethnicity assimilate into British society. Other equally significant concerns relate to the extent to which ethnic minorities retain their own cultural values, mores and identities and operate separately from British society. The degree of interaction between individuals within the British society and their ethnic minority neighbors is crucial in establishing the delicate balance necessary for peaceful coexistence. This issue is clearly multi-dimensional in nature and one that has been identified as a 'wide-ranging question with no easy answers' (The Economist, 8 May, 2003, p. 23). A fundamental issue with regards to this question is one that relates to the degree to which the members of varying ethnic groups operate independent of each other and of the society at large in their daily lives. One constraint relates to the proximity in which the various ethnic groups reside. Within Britain, this situation is not as extreme as within the United States, however, there still remains considerable residential isolation within several ethnic groups especially those originating from Southern Asia (Johnston, Forrest & Poulsen, 2002; Johnston, Poulsen & Forrest, 2002). Much of this can be attributed to a combination of residual discrimination within the labor and housing markets, lower income for individuals within certain demographic areas, restrictions placed on members of certain groups as to where they are able to reside peacefully and the desire of many ethnic groups to live with individuals of like ethnicities within their own communities. The combination of these factors both facilitate, maintain and sustain the cultural identity of ethnic minorities as well as to isolate them from the potential threats posed by the unknown. Dorsett (1998) purports that both the choice to reside in ethnically segregated areas and the constraints which make such a living arrangement necessary may be important in determining residential location and facilitates residential separation. One consequence of the residential separation among ethnic and cultural minorities is one that relates to education and the quality of instruction received by students. This is especially significant in that most publicly funded schools draw their student base from individuals within their local areas and as a direct result, there is a strong tendency for schools to be segregated in areas where there are both purposive and coincidental segregation. For individuals operating with a clear agenda to promote integration and encourage assimilation, this is an unnecessary constraint since such segregation within the school system serves to constrict the contact between individuals of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This essentially promotes a great separation of cultural identity and fosters a feeling of thereby potentially promoting a cultural of separate identity. For some individuals who wish to maintain their cultural identity separate schooling is seen in a positive light while others who embrace the notion of multiculturalism and its potential to promote a deeper understanding of diversity it is seen as a highly negative influence. In examining this issue within the public school system, one issue is raised constantly. That issue relates to the notion of the existence of 'separate but equal' in terms of the quality of the education provided to ethnic minorities and that provided in schools where there is a predominance of white students. The research indicates that there is a tendency for ethnic minorities to suffer as a direct result of their segregation within the public school system. In examining this, it is prudent to note that the cultural gains attained from ethnic segregation are far outweighed by the economic disadvantages realized by the relatively lower quality education (Ouseley, 2001). Despite the fact that the education rendered to ethnic minorities in ethnically segregated school prove to be deficient, ethnic minorities within Britain have higher than average levels of educational attainment. This achievement, however, has yet to be translated into the correlates of economic success. Indian and Chinese immigrants, however, enjoy income comparable with their non-ethnic minority but ethnic minorities as a whole experience a very bleak employment and economic outlook. The national unemployment rate for ethnic minorities as a whole within Britain has been estimated at 13% and within Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities it has been estimated at 20% and 23% respectively. When compared with the 5.8% unemployment rate for white Brits, these rates are definitely astronomical and paint a clear and decisive picture with regards to social disadvantage (National Statistics, 2007). Another ramification of ethnic segregation is that of a decrease in socioeconomic status. The vast body of empirical evidence indicates that segregation along racial/ethnic lines is stronger than segregation realized as a direct result of income disparities. Essentially, race/ethnicity is responsible for sorting individuals of comparable SES into very different neighborhoods. During the decades of the 1980's and 1990's, income segregation only reached moderate levels ( available evidence indicates that segregation by race/ethnicity is stronger than segregation by income; that is, race and ethnicity sort individuals of comparable SES into vastly different neighborhood environments. In 1980 and 1990, income segregation within the United States reached only "moderate" levels (Jargowsky, 1997) while within the same time period segregation among African-Americans was at a high level. The determination of the relative levels is based on sociological definitions (Massey & Denton, 1993). Similar trends can be seen within Britain but the levels are not as pronounced as within the United States. Peach (1996) noted that the degree of ethnic segregation within the ward and enumeration district was nowhere as high as that of the United states but it has continued to rise over the years (p. 221). He, however, noted that the average levels of residential segregation among Caribbean residents were significantly lower than those of their Bangladeshis or Pakistanis counterparts and somewhat lower than that of Indians from other parts of the world. This brings to task another question. This question is one that deals with the notion that the increasing concentration of poverty within certain neighborhoods as seen throughout both empirical research and the literature is one that can have deleterious effects on the lives of those individuals who are forced to live in poverty-stricken areas. Much of this can be attributed to extremely high levels of ethnic segregation, economic factors or a combination of both (Wilson, 1987; Wilson, 1996; Jargowsky, 1997; Massey & Denton, 1993). Furthermore, Massey & Fischer (2000) illustrated that interactions between residential segregation and income disparities exhibited strong effects on the spatial isolation of the indigent population by 1990. In light of the many negatives that can be identified as a direct result of racial/ethnic segregation, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has developed a comprehensive three year initiative for racial/ethnic integration throughout Britain. Their initiative operates under the presumption that in order to achieve integration, there must be an underlying ethnic equality. This equality must be readily enforceable utilizing the tenets of the law as they exist. Operating under this realization, CRE has developed a five-pronged approach. The elements of this approach entails taking steps to build an integrated society, promoting racial equality, promoting good race relations, utilizing their legal power to impact and enforce changes within the area of race/ethnic equality and improving the way in which racial/ethnic changes are impacted (Commission for Racial Equality, 2005). In an attempt to build an integrated society, CRE has make attempts to impact change on an individual basis. Essentially, one of its main strategies was to change the way in which individuals think about racial and ethnic equality within the British society. It took the role of brining racial and ethnic equality into the mainstream rather than thinking about it in terms of marginalization. It began with the notion of multiculturalism which became a global focus during 2004 and forced the powers that be to rethink issues such as citizenship and the notion of what it means to be British. In attempting to assess this, CRE has identified three inextricable qualities of an integrated society. These qualities include equality, cooperative participation and general inter-ethnic interaction. Equity is defined as the fair and equal treatment of individuals within a society irrespective of race or ethnicity. Essentially, it begs for the treatment of individuals wherein no one is afforded special privileges as a direct result of his/her ethnicity nor is penalized based on his/her ethnicity. The notion of participation is one which presumes that all groups and subgroups within a society. The notion of equity is one which presumes fair treatment under the law and ensures that no one individual receives any advantages or disadvantages based on his/her race, ethnicity or other discriminatory factors. Participation operates under the assumption that within a society all group are afforded the same opportunities to share in decision making and to partake in the sharing the responsibility of ensuring peaceful coexistence among all individuals within any given society. Finally, interaction ensures that individuals are not isolated within their own communities based on their race, ethnicity or other factors utilized to discriminate against many individuals (Commission for Racial Equality, 2005). The notion that equality is a precondition for integration is one that is at the heart of the CRE's policy for facilitating racial and ethnic integration within neighborhoods. It operates with the clear intent to eliminate ethnic discrimination across all sectors within the labor force and the service industry. Organizations as well as individuals within both the private and public sectors are becoming increasingly aware of their role in ensuing that racial and ethnic equality is maintained. In so doing, there is an increased accountability as well as a call for professionalism with regards to promoting equality irrespective of racial or ethnic origins. Much of this is embodied in the amended Race Relations Act of 2000 which clearly delineates the scope and ramifications of discrimination by individuals in the position of public trust, special cases and within the scope of national security (Race Relations Act, 2000). The amended Race Relations Act has essentially served to create a positive atmosphere for racial equality as well as a systematic means of detecting racism. In an attempt to influence integration within the neighborhoods of Britain, CRE has embarked on an initiative know as Safe Communities Initiative (SCI). Under this initiative CRE provides the much needed guidance to communities who face tension and are prone to succumb to extreme thought processes with regards to race and ethnicity. In so doing, CRE calls for innovative programs to build strong relationships, facilitating dialogue between feuding factions, finding practical solutions to ever-pressing problems and taking a long-term approach to tackling problems related to racial and ethnic integration (Commission for Racial Equality, n.d.). Finally, the coercive methods utilized by CRE entail an active participation within the legal system through its utility of its legal power. In so doing, CRE offers advice and assistance to individuals who have been victims of racial/ethnic discrimination or harassment. In their quest to rid Britain of racial and ethnic discrimination, CRE has intervened in over 17 cases involving racial discrimination within the penal system (Commission for Racial Equality, 2005). In examining both the detriments of racial/ethnic segregation and the positive impact of the coercive attempts towards integration made by CRE it is prudent to see that integration can have a positive impact on both the economic and social well-being of individuals on either side of the ethnic disparities and the communities at-large. Such initiatives can ensure that there is true equity in educational opportunities, labor engagement, the underlying SES status and housing opportunities. It makes perfect sense that all individuals should be treated equally irrespective of race or ethnicity. An integral part of this equality in treatment is the notion that all individuals within a nation should be afforded the right to share in the decision making process when the decisions made affect their lives, health and wellbeing. This can only be done through active involvement on the part of governmental agencies, individual companies and corporations, the communities at large and the individuals within the communities. It is the responsibility of each and every citizen to ensure that equal treatment is rendered to all. This not only makes perfect sense on a political, economic, social and interpersonal level but it is only ethical for individuals to be afforded equal rights under the law. Clearly, the research and literature highlight the notion that ethnic integration can only be positive. Much of this integration can be achieved by encouraging individuals of diverse ethnicities to live within the same communities. This can only foster dialogue, mutual engagement and multiculturalism. The government holds the potential of further such an engagement and to some degree has taken an active role. We can only hope for a continuation of the trend towards ethnic integration and the slow eradication of discrimination based on race or ethnicity. References Commission for Racial Equality (2005). Citizenship and belonging-What is Britishness A research study. Retrieved 10 February, 2007, from http://www.cre.gov.uk/downloads/what_is_britishness.pdf Commission for Racial Equality (n.d.). Safe Communities Initiative. Retrieved 10 February, 2007, from http://www.cre.gov.uk/about/sci_index.html. Economist (8 May, 2003). Forget Asylum-Seekers: It's the People Inside Who Count, 22-31. Jargowsky, P.A. (1997). Poverty and Place: Ghettos, Barrios, and the American City. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation. Johnston, R.J. (1984) Residential Segregation, the State and Constitutional Conflict in American Urban Areas, London: Academic Press for the Institute of British Geographers-Special Publication 17. Johnston, R.J., Forrest, J. and Poulsen, M.F. (2002) The ethnic geography of EthniCities: The American model' and residential concentration in London, Ethnicities 2: 209-235. Johnston, R.J., Poulsen, M.F. and Forrest, J. (2002) Are there ethnic enclaves/ghettos in English cities Urban Studies 39: 591-618. Massey D.S. & Denton, N.A. (1993). American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. National Statistics (2007). Ethnicity & Identity: Labour market-non-white unemployment highest. Retrieved 10 February, 2007, from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget_print.aspID=462. Ouseley, H. (2001) Community pride not prejudice: making diversity work in Bradford. Retrieved on 10 February 2007, from http://www.bradford2020.com/pride/report.pdf. Peach, C (1996). Does Britain have ghettos Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers-New Series, 21(1), 216-235. Race Relations Act (2000). Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000:2000 Chapter 34. Retrieved 10 February 2007, from http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2000/20000034.htm Wilson W.J. (1987). The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, the Underclass, and Public Policy. Chicago, Ill: University of Chicago Press. Wilson W.J. (1996). When Work Disappears: The World of the New Urban Poor. New York, NY: Alfred A Knopf. Read More