Are we any nearer to full integration?

[anotheoldgit]

This week on the local news, I witnessed crowds of young British/Asians on the streets of Leicester celerbrating the fact that India had won the World Cup for cricket. They were yelling, screaming jumping up and down and waving the Indian national flag. Nothing wrong with that one may say but wait one moment ????

These youngsters were more than likely to have been born and educated in England, and most likely have never ever been to India.

Does this jubliation for the Indian cricket team's success, only go to prove that we still have a long way to go before we achieve full integration of the ethnic minorities into this country.

In a few years some of these youngsters could even be asked to play for England, what kind of attitude would they carry onto the cricket pitch when the time came to play against their beloved India?

[Supernick]

If you had been born in India, but you had British parents, then you'e going to be raised with a lot of British culture. Why not be proud of it? As you head further down the generational line, this bond with ancestry decreases, but it's bound to be strong in the first couple of generations. Where's the harm in that?
Everyone's different as well. Look at Monty Panesar, or Owais Shah.

[ruby27]

AOG Is this a News Question? Or.........

[Trotbot]

This does make me smile. I live in Asia, where the Brits go to the British club to drink, British Schools to teach their kids, barely speak a word of the local language and then complain when local laws are not to their liking. The Brits integrate far less than any other western nationality, as professionals (rich expat) local hires (eg teachers) and as retired low earners (getting a UK pension from the UK Govt in the country of their choice). Most Brtis coldn't name anyone in the host country's football team.

[campbellking]

As Supernick says, look at Monty, who relished playing against India.
Anyway, if you want to see a different 'ethnic minority' celebrating a foreign victory, come to Bedford (very ethnically diverse population of whom 10% are of Italian origin) after an Italian victory in the World Cup.

[Pippa68]

It is no worse than my dad rooting for Wales during the Rugby world cup (he lives in England), my Italian neighbour celebrating his homeland's victories or John Barnes insisting he always supports Barbados.

It is only sport..and as long as we can all support our home countries or teams and live harmoniously I cannot see the problem.

[jiggy-gb]

Have a look at the same question beneath this one Invisible, you're still there, don't worry!

[leg_end758]

thanks to the great number of rascists in the uk integration is but a dream.

[Gromit]

I think the people on this thread are far superior to the namby -pamby, limp wristed, yogurt eating, Guradian reading pinkos on the one below, don't you.

[Gromit]

Invisible, forgot to mention:

Fence-sitters

[saxy_jag]

Those same young people will probably cheer just as much when (if) Leicester City win the FA cup (well, I can dream).

I'm of Scottish descent - great-grandparents - yet I still cheer when Scotland win anything major.

I think you also need to be aware, anotheoldgit, that it's the Asian population that's keeping amateur cricket going in Leicester. There's a great big, purpose-built cricket oval on Abbey Park, it and the neighbouring pavilion being put in place when the park was first laid out in 1882. It went largely unused for its original purpose during the nineteen-seventies and eighties. Yet you can go there now any afternoon/evening of the week, and there are people playing. This is not 'family fun', but works,community and neighbourhood sides playing practice games, with matches on the weekend and some evenings. Mostly, the teams are made up of British Asians, but with a fair smattering of British Europeans too. I'm not a cricket fan at, in fact I hate the game, but it's really great to see this bit of the park coming back to life again.

Something else you need to understand is how much Leicester people take Asian culture on board. Whilst there are still, sadly, more than a few racist bigots in the city, the British Asian way of life is very much part of daily life here. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

[Gromit]

I am a bit worried about OAGs reply. Well, it is a bit feeble. He posts a thread out Asian youths being unpatriotic and he replys with:

"Yes all good posts, just a thought though, I suppose it does make sense always to back the winning team, can't go wrong then."

AOG, stop taking the Prozac, we prefer you angry.

[ludwig]

I can't believe that none of the usual suspects have popped up to accuse you of being a neo-nazi yet AOG. I feel almost an obligation to do it on their behalf.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit The reason I appeared to be getting soft, was precisly because of ludwig's observation that the usual suspects have not popped up with their vile remarks. So how can one get angry?

I persume that the usual suspects referred to , are the Sandal wearing, namby -pamby, limp wristed, yogurt eating ( yogurt knitting is the term), anti-British, fence sitters, PC brigade and Guradian (Guardian) reading pinkos, .

How could you possibly accuse me of being a neo-nazi ludwig, with you having such a Germanic name.

[China Doll]

Sorry... were you looking for me AOG? I've been busy with my knitting. It takes me a while as it hurts my rather limp wrists.. ;0)

[leg_end758]

2 million immigrants in the next few years ??

and figures last year showing 2 million brits moved abroad.

do the maths it not hard.
not overrun just balancing it out

[1rovert]

I don't see any problem. As a member of the then Southampton Vikings Ice Hocky club, I used to cheer on Strethem Redskins when they played in Southampton, while wearing my membership badge. I can tell you, I got lots of dirty looks, from those around me.