Is natural segregation an inevitable fact of life?
I live in a large city in Northern England (Leeds).
Here we have asian schools and asian neighbourhoods. There are also 'black areas' and even bars frequented by mainly black people. None of this is enforced of course. Neither is most of this for racist reasons.
Isn't it just a fact that most people from different cultures don't really mix? I have friends from ethnic backgrounds, however I have to say, they have all embraced 'western' culture rather than sticking to their own.
I'd say that people have a natural fear of those who are different. Cultural differences can be very difficult to overcome when it comes down to day-to-day life. But I don't think it's a bad thing for people of foreign cultures to adopt the culture of their new home. And, in a way, hanging on to your own cultural ways in a new place *is* segregating yourself. For example, were I to move Afghanistan and insist on continuing to speak English, wear shorts in hot weather, and eat pork, this would separate me from my new fellow countrymen.
In this country we historically have had a "melting pot" effect where people learn to live together and build a common culture. At one time, English, Irish, German, Italian, and Polish people were very separate and distinct. Today there's no segregation at all to speak of among White ethnic groups (as least among those who are natively born).
With Whites, Blacks and Hispanics, we still have a long way to go. Given that we had legally enforced color-segregation in large parts of this country only a generation ago, we're not doing badly. But it still is an uphill battle.
I had a friend tell me a story of when she was a kid, vacationing in Texas in the 80s. She made the mistake of chatting up a couple of people of mixed Black/Hispanic origins. She was actually verbally threatened by a cop - she was white, and Black/Hispanic Mullatos are the lowest on their "totem pole." My friend nearly went postal on this pig, but the point is, segregationist attitudes still exist in this country.
I think, though, America is as a whole a shining example that people of different cultures *can* mix.
It's unlikely if you're a Brit or American that you'd want to befriend someone who is a devout muslim for instance. You just wouldn't have much in common. Agree?
No. I would love to befriend a devout muslim and find out what he believes, why he believes it, and if we can come to a common understanding about the world. For one, because finding out what people believe and why is a fascinating thing for me. Also, because if a Westerner and a devout Muslim can't befriend one another in person, what hope is there for the world?
But then, maybe I'm unusual in this regard.
