I usually don’t get into these debates but since I was invited to Cardiff University as a researcher and have been living here for a few months now, I thought I would just drop my two cents in.

First of all, what David Cameron said today about failure of multiculturalism is nothing new. Historically multiculturalism has never worked a 100%, and never will.

Overall I agree with the concept of “when in Rome, do as the Romans”. Its correct and should be followed by everyone who is entering another persons home. Having said this, it is also to be remembered that persons home is a ‘home’, and not a place where guests are treated with suspicion just because a person living 200 miles away from the same background committed a crime.

Coming back to the article posted in the first post, I overall agree with that as well and that is not just a problem in the West. It is harder to debate areas such as Islamic extremism these days, make that its harder to constructively debate such an issue. I was disheartened by some of the comments here using phrases such as “get out”. I think that is exactly the place where Britain does not need to go.

Yes Muslims are going to feel the pinch, and have been post 9/11 and will continue to do so for decades to come. But as Kev pointed out, the problem if extremism is not just a case of kids being brainwashed, it is also a case of continuing loss of identity. I have seen first hand in Cardiff for example, Muslim students blending in rather well with the local population. Picking up sports like Rugby and indulging in Welsh cultures easily, which in turn makes it very easy for them to mingle. And these are students who have come from outside and are not British born.

Britain, again, even if it upsets people should go hard in areas where it has intel that extremism is thriving. And by this I don’t mean barge into homes and cause a havoc in general, but by offering support. Maybe the media can actually come to use here and the government can run campaigns for families and young youth to come upfront and talk to counselors if they think they are being suppressed by their families etc. Offer guidance freely, advertise, use the media instead of being scared of being tagged as ‘racist’. People these days use the word ‘racist’ at free will, anything that a person does against a person of other color HAS to be determined as . It has become impossible to debate!

Anyway, moving on with all this Britain needs to be VERY careful as to not become generally obsessed with this issue, and more over make sure the general population does get paranoid and obsessed with race. It needs to distinguish CLEARLY as to who the problem maker is, and who is not. Not every person who looks ‘South Asian’ is here to cause trouble, or seemingly has to be from a suppressed background. This is crucial for both British society and economy.

I am not afraid to say that during my 4 months here I have had some incidents of being told to “go home”. If this problem in Britain gets out of hands from paranoia and bigotism mixed with a non-recovering economy I think UK will have a lot to deal with in the future. But then again, I also take note of the fact that MAJORITY of Brits are well educated and hard thinking people and the ones telling me otherwise ARE a big minority who because of there opinions, get much more coverage by the media making there minority voice seem a majority. This is existent in any society, and all societies amplify this subject causing hysteria and over-reactive concerns ultimately leading to bad decisions.

Overall almost everyone I have had the pleasure to meet in Cardiff and in UK in general has been as pleasant as a human can be. I have been coming to the UK since I was a wee toddler and absolutely love to spend some time here.

I just hope that this issue is dealt with a calm mind, and not give in to the reactions of anger.

probably one of the best bunch of musicians to play in a room….

jamiroquai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKZVNrC0QYA

From what i gather the passenger was making ‘threats’ on board the flight, hence why the escort I believe.

If this is true, it would be sad because I am pretty certain EY would close VS as a brand.

Well to be honest Boeing does indeed need to come up with something to challenge the A320NEO.

Maybe one of those people who collect such things? You never know. I know a lot of aviation enthusiasts tend to take safety cards to add to there collectibles.