Joel Gaines has written a post on his blog "Terrorism by the unassimilated." I disagree with his assertion. The London bombers were all assimilated. They ate fish and chips. Played cricket and soccer. They were born and raised in Britain. It is not a matter of assimilation. It is something else entirely.
The last time I was in the UK, it was in 2001 with my former girl friend. She is a teacher in Oakland, and of the near 40 kids in her class, none are white. Some come from sudan, others from vietnam. She probably has a dozen different nationalities in that classroom.
London is almost as multicultural as her school. She asked me "How come there are mostly white people on TV?" It was not something I would have noticed, but her perception was correct. I was embarrassed because I didn't have an answer.
So, I made a point to study the situation while there.
Interestingly, when minorities are shown on UK television adverts it is not uncommon to see them intermingled as bi-racial couples. The opposite seems to be true in America. In the US, minorities are shown a lot in commercials (they have a quota to fill it seems), but if the husband is black - it goes without saying - then his wife has to be black. A white girl will never have a black boyfriend. They don't mind taking that 'risk' in the UK, but they tend not use as many minorities, and that should change if they want to make all the people feel included in their society.
This I think is what Blair has come to realise. When it comes to portraying people on television, Britain need a quota system similar to the US system. Indians/Pakistani's and other minorites need to see themselves in all forms of media, TV, billboards, magazine ads, etc. and when this has happened, maybe 'assimilation' will be complete.
Location
San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
I am a born-again atheist who is pro-life (I don't eat animals) and I agree with the Dalai Lama when he says "There is no creator".
Those are certainly good words of common sense. It tells us that "spirituality" has nothing to do with a belief in things supernatural. But then, those of us who grew up in the seventies watching "Kung Fu" already knew that being a vegan, atheist who follows the path of the buddha can reach enlightenment.
All kidding aside, what does a vegetarian atheist have to say? Stick around and you'll find out! Politically I'm rather liberal, but I do like to listen to staunch conservative talk show host Michael Savage (real name 'Wiener') so I'll probably be mentioning him from time to time in my weblogs. So for now, how about some talk of broccoli, carrots and peas? Recipe's anyone??
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"As mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
- George Washington
"Maybe happiness is a fragment of existence, but with better packaging."
