This week I attended a Radio 4 debate at The Birmingham Conservatoire which will be going out in the New Year on air; concerning immigration.
One of the key issues that I would like to address was a comment from a member of the panel that stated ‘race and immigration are two separate issues’
I must confess that I found this hard to believe, bearing in mind that I am finding the whole debate distasteful to say the least.
Indeed when my parents came to this Country, by the way they are from Jamaica and came to this Country prior to 1962, therefore, they had British Passports, were still classed as immigrants.
History bears out the struggles they faced and also the unrest that developed as a result of the prejudice they faced.
The debate is actually a mirror image of the debate in the late 1950’0 into the 1960’s.
This week when I forwarded a suggestion from our Radio Show concerning the renaming of Birmingham Library into the public domain, I receive several racist remarks.
They were comments such as:
1. Go Home
2. You immigrants want everything
3. I bet you weren’t born here
4. Why do you foreigners want everything?
Just a few comments, bit, it gave the key message that skin colour and immigration are naturally linked.
Indeed, I have been asked by many newcomers from eastern European countries asking me where I am from in a manner of just enquiring about my ethnicity.
I find it amazing though that when a foreign person comes to the UK they are called immigrants, however, British people abroad are called ex-pat’s.
The key element is simple; many eastern European Countries are now in the EU and as such have free movement throughout the EU. As a part of the European Union, they are EU Citizens just like the British.
Therefore, who then are considered the immigrants and who will immigration control affect the worst? EU Citizens or Non- EU Citizens?
Based on my previous comments, can one really disassociate skin colour/race and immigration?
As for myself, both my parents as stated came to this country from Jamaica with British Passports and I was born here. So, what does that make me?
I am British, therefore why am I ask where do I come?
Why is it when the Library debate was taking place this week, was I described as an immigrant, told go home etc ?
Give it some thought and ask yourself one question, has Britain really embraced its diversity?
Desmond Jaddoo
One of the key issues that I would like to address was a comment from a member of the panel that stated ‘race and immigration are two separate issues’
I must confess that I found this hard to believe, bearing in mind that I am finding the whole debate distasteful to say the least.
Indeed when my parents came to this Country, by the way they are from Jamaica and came to this Country prior to 1962, therefore, they had British Passports, were still classed as immigrants.
History bears out the struggles they faced and also the unrest that developed as a result of the prejudice they faced.
The debate is actually a mirror image of the debate in the late 1950’0 into the 1960’s.
This week when I forwarded a suggestion from our Radio Show concerning the renaming of Birmingham Library into the public domain, I receive several racist remarks.
They were comments such as:
1. Go Home
2. You immigrants want everything
3. I bet you weren’t born here
4. Why do you foreigners want everything?
Just a few comments, bit, it gave the key message that skin colour and immigration are naturally linked.
Indeed, I have been asked by many newcomers from eastern European countries asking me where I am from in a manner of just enquiring about my ethnicity.
I find it amazing though that when a foreign person comes to the UK they are called immigrants, however, British people abroad are called ex-pat’s.
The key element is simple; many eastern European Countries are now in the EU and as such have free movement throughout the EU. As a part of the European Union, they are EU Citizens just like the British.
Therefore, who then are considered the immigrants and who will immigration control affect the worst? EU Citizens or Non- EU Citizens?
Based on my previous comments, can one really disassociate skin colour/race and immigration?
As for myself, both my parents as stated came to this country from Jamaica with British Passports and I was born here. So, what does that make me?
I am British, therefore why am I ask where do I come?
Why is it when the Library debate was taking place this week, was I described as an immigrant, told go home etc ?
Give it some thought and ask yourself one question, has Britain really embraced its diversity?
Desmond Jaddoo