Agree with you Greatnan - it's natural is some respects to be wary of difference and to seek out those who are 'like' us. Don't we all rub along nicely and understand each other, then some stranger comes along and asks 'what's all that about?' We can either turn on them, or take a long hard look at ourselves and wonder what others have seen that we are missing, then widen the circle and welcome them in.
I love our multi-national country, with all the new rituals and cuisines, introduction to different perspectives, and friendships developed across the world as a result of having close proximity to different races and cultures. The positives far outweigh any negatives. My children have been delivered by Pakistani, Chinese and Jamaican midwives and doctors, and a fine job they did for me; my African neighbour can always be relied on to gee up the community when there is something to celebrate; my son's Polish housemates include him in every party and outing they arrange (and give him a few hangovers in the process); the nearest corner shop run by a Pakistani family will always nip down and open up if people run out of milk, bread or baby food (not fags!); our local post office is run by an Indian family and the dad has been encouraged to become a local councillor; my SIL manages a football team of half African-Carribean lads and half British, and they have been top of the Sunday league two years running, and the local running team has elected a Jamaican runner to captain them because they have learned he has friends in high places (Usaine Bolt). What a great mix! My world is like so many others now, and the hotspots where racism is fostered frighten me, especially when I see racism being used to segregate communities.
It is natural to be suspicious, but humans are innately good until their attitudes are ruined by the cynical and powerful who don't want to share.
