Wake up! England has been multicultural since the dawn of time. London is a roman word and the royal family can hardly be called English.
I think it is wonderful to see different cultures and races learn from one another. If people were less afraid of knowing different cultures, I agree some people from all cultures tend to keep themselves away from mixing with other groups and that is not beneficial to any society. If I go to Italy, I am going to meet Italians and show them my culture just as I am going to learn some of their ways. I therefore believe such give and take should be practised in this country... but if Brits go abroad and refuse to mix with the natives of those lands then why should it be expected that other cultures be expected to adhere solely to British ways? British ways are not always the best ways... we need to appreciate other cultures because a broadened society makes a better life for all of us.
A multicultural society is good so long as people from different backgrounds learn to respect each other's culture and religion. A society where each culture maintains its identity while at the same integrating with other people to form a "tossed-salad" society is possible.
Multiculturalism is a contradiction in terms. For someone to be accepted into a group of people that's significantly different to him, he has to adapt to suit the group. It's the same in this situation.
Sam Martin, Milton Keynes, England
'Multiculturalism' is a fact. Different cultures live as part of a wider society. The concept of full 'integration' is an ideal that can't realistically be met. What is important, however, is that a society's subcultures adhere to, abide by, and respect, the 'mother' culture.
Diversity of culture is what makes Britain great - many cultures have been integrated successfully into British life and British culture has evolved accordingly, however it must be remembered that Britain has a history and culture and this must be respected by minority groups. Remembering your culture is one thing - demanding change on your hosts culture is something entirely different. You move to Britain to become British - don't you?
Allowing a 'Complete' multicultural society is why we have so many problems. By all means allow people to practise their own culture but as long as they can accept becoming British citizens, abiding strictly by our laws, learning our language, contributing to this country and swearing to stand loyally by this country in times of war then I don't see a problem. It's when you allow totally separate cultures with divided loyalties that problems and hatred arise. You cannot, or should not, live in another country whether Islamic in the UK, English in Iraq, German in the US or US in Sweden, without respecting that country and becoming fully integrated into that culture.
