Can Britain Ever Be Multicultural?

Read Time:4 Minute, 45 Second

by Neil Bamforth

The quick answer is yes it can be multicultural. The more convoluted answer is not for a very long time indeed and, unless other cultures begin by accepting it is they who are here in Britain rather than expecting the British to be eternally accepting of their culture that very long time could, potentially, be pretty much an eternity.

Britain currently has a very serious problem with so called ‘honor crimes’ and ‘honor killings’ along with cases of female genital mutilation (FGM).

‘Honor crimes’, ‘honor killings’ and FGM are almost exclusively occurring in Muslim communities.

According to UK police forces 11,744 incidences of these crimes occurred between 2010 and 2014, this data came from 39 out of 52 police forces in the UK. They included forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

The Metropolitan Police recorded the highest number of incidents at 2,188, followed by West Midlands Police with 1,269 and Bedfordshire Police with 1,106 examples recorded.

South Yorkshire had 1,009 unconfirmed incidents in 2014 alone while Lancashire Police had 1,049.

Diana Nammi, director of the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation – a charity that provides support to Middle Eastern women living in the UK who are facing “honor” violence – said the figures suggested incidence of the crime remained “consistently high” in the UK and that the issue was “not going away”.

She said:

“Unfortunately they [the figures] do not show the real extent of the problem. So many crimes are unreported because the perpetrators are often the victim’s own family.

“We need a national strategy for all agencies – including police forces, courts, and schools – to be trained and to work together to end this problem.”

The crimes are usually aimed at women, and can include abductions, beatings and even murders.

It is generally accepted that the ‘culture’ the victims live in is invariably responsible as it is the ‘culture’ of their native land or, the culture of the native land, at least ancestrally, of the perpetrators – frequently close relatives and parents – where it is considered acceptable within said culture to behave in this way.

FGM in particular is a cultural rather than a religious action hence it is not always practitioners of Islam carrying out this crime. It can be families of African heritage with no Islamic leanings.

Young girls often ‘vanish’ from school to be taken to Pakistan or the Middle East or Africa where the FGM then occurs.

There are a terrifying number of cases of Muslim girls being killed because of adopting western attitudes and dress thereby bringing shame on their families in the warped belief of the families.

All of this is occurring in Britain, a western democracy that has bent over backwards to accommodate alien cultures from across the globe so it can claim to be multicultural.

Until recently, many people were scared to speak out against these horrific ritual honor killings and FGM for fear of the hard left accusing them of racism but it has reached the point where even the hard left are now accepting there are some ‘cultural’ things that are just not acceptable in a civilized country.

So, can Britain ever be truly multicultural? Yes, of course it can. The vast majority of immigrants, Muslim or otherwise, do not participate in these horrors –  albeit a worryingly sizable minority either do, or are happy to ‘turn a blind eye’ to it.

A recent expose in the press stated that, in Britain, children as young as 9 have been openly advocating support for Islamic State.

Today I walked into my home town to pay a check into the Bank. On my jacket is a red poppy. The local mosque was emptying out from Friday prayers. Many many Muslims walked by me without a glance in my direction. One spat on the ground in front of me. I knew why and he knew why. I was wearing a poppy.

We stared at each other and I growled (a la Mick Belker of Hill Street Blues fame). Silly of me. He was younger and certainly stronger but, in the words of the late great Tom Petty, I won’t back down.

Fortunately another three chaps ushered him on his way – one even apologized to me.

The ‘spitter’ was one among over a hundred.

If I was a fool I would hate Muslims because of his actions. Fortunately even I’m not that stupid.

After all, there are billions of Muslims in the world. If they were all terrorists we’d all be dead.

The majority are peaceful decent people but, like all immigrants to the west, they must ensure that their culture does not become intrusive on the rest of us – and, the vast majority do precisely that whilst a sizable minority don’t care if their culture is intrusive.

We have to work with the majority to educate the minority into understanding that it is they who create division and hatred. It is they who must respect the country they live in and, if necessary, adapt their culture to encourage multiculturalism that is achievable and not divisive.

As for so called ‘honor crimes’, ‘honor killings’ and female genital mutilation. People who commit those on cultural grounds don’t need educating.

They need locking up and the keys thrown away.

Incidentally, I was genuinely the only white face walking in my town – certainly in a couple of hundred yards either way from me at least – when the spitting incident occurred – apart from two white chaps on the other side of the road talking loudly – in Polish.

A bit nerve wracking to be spat at by a large chap when you’re a minority! Wonder if I could have had him for racism?

About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.
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Cherries
6 years ago

My biggest worry is the rise of all the right wing fascist groups everywhere. The biggest threat to everyone and it starts with the immigrant haters. Neil/Norman you’ve said you once belonged to such groups so maybe that’s why you keep on about Muslims.

Reply to  Cherries
6 years ago

I think I remember you saying that Neil.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Cherries
6 years ago

Been there, done that, moved on, learnt. Everybody can learn if they so desire.

6 years ago

When you move to the UK or the USA or anywhere from anywhere you are expected to give back. If you do not you should expect nothing from your host.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  David Wren
6 years ago

Correctomundo! Cheers old bean 🍻

rockync
Reply to  David Wren
6 years ago

I think you have that backwards. I agree that immigrants should and as a general rule, do give back. But as a host, are you not required to be welcoming, make your guests comfortable, help them get settled? You would do so for guests in your house, would you not? I think we DO have an obligation to be kind and supportive of the newly arrived. My parents came from a war torn country, they ran for their lives with little in the way of belongings. They spoke no English. Without the kindness of strangers, they would not have been able to assimilate and become productive members of society. They did give back but first needed some help from their hosts.

Reply to  rockync
6 years ago

I think it important that the host is welcoming, at least until such time as that welcome wears out, reflected by the behavior of the visitors.

Rockync
6 years ago

I often do not agree with Neil’s perspectives and I understand the desire to call him out, but let’s back up a minute. My parents are immigrants who did not speak English as they fled oppression in war torn Europe. Therefore, English is my second language. I grew up in a town that was within 2 hours of NYC and saw an influx of many immigrants, also fleeing war or famine. Already in place and assimilated were Irish, Swedish and Italians. Also German and Portuguese. In my time the waves were Eastern European (my folks) Greeks, Middle Easterners, Cuban (the great boat exodus) and Vietnamese. We embraced our culture, most of us spoke 2 languages. We kept our foods and many of our traditions. We enjoyed sharing each others’ foods and traditions. And we assimilated into American culture. And there is the difference. Our parents desired to become Americans and have us grow up as Americans. We kept the best of the past but looked to the future as Americans. Where I live it is not Muslims so have closed ranks but Hispanics, more specifically Mexican. They don’t speak English, they do not assimilate, sometimes they are hostile. America, like Britian is changing ethnically. Whites here are nearing the 50% mark. This frightens people afraid of losing their identity and way of life, hence we have a turd like Trump for president. But I look at this from an immigrant perspective. Who remembers cheering Robin Williams in “Moscow On The Hudson” as he stood in the middle of Macys and declared, “I defect!” New Yorkers took him in hand,showed how to navigate the rather mind boggling country we call home. Fast forward to today. Mexicans are not welcomed here. Some of them have come illegally and fear everything, especially deportation. We Americans don’t stand up for them, help them learn English and assimilate. We aren’t there to tell them what is not legal here. So they close ranks and depend on those who came before and barely understand themselves what America is all about. It is difficult to engage folks as they are frequently the subject of angry assaults and have trouble trusting people’s motives. So perhaps instead of trying to provoke an incident with that poppy, you might take it off and meet those Muslims with a smile and a “good evening.” And see how that goes.

Bobbie Peel
Reply to  Rockync
6 years ago

I like and agree with your comment very much. A reasoned and articulate opinion based on experience. The wal-mart in my town is full of Mexican families on any Sunday afternoon. They work six days a week, go to church on Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon do a weeks shop. Hard working people.

Anne
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Many Mexicans have so much they could share with us that would make our lives richer. Sadly, their fear keeps them in the shadows. We should be fighting for a path to citizenship for them. We are so backwards here. The thinking is oh if we let them stay, less for me when the opposite is frequently true. If they were assimilated into our communities without fear we might be surprised at the prosperity they could create with their work ethic, resourcefulness and talents.

jess
Reply to  Rockync
6 years ago

Why should he have to take off his poppy to talk to them? From all I understand about the wearing of a poppy at this time of year and a few others, it’s to show some well deserved respect for the dead from all types of wars. No, he should not have to take it off but he shouldn’t be calling out just Muslims either so there is that. He can still do both, wear the poppy and say hi to whoever it is he sees on the street, no reason not to in my opinion.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

👍😘

rockync
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

Jess, there is a time and place for everything. We also wear poppys on Veterans Day or Remembrance Day. We wear it to show respect for those who have fallen in war. Apparently it has a negative connotation for Muslims. I don’t know why as I do not live in an area with a large foreign Muslim population. But here in the South many display the Confederate battle flag which has caused so much controversy in the last couple of years. They say it represents their Southern heritage and pays tribute to their ancestors. It also have negative connotations to black Americans who see it as a symbol or slavery and oppression. Fly it in front of your house, wear on your tee shirt but sticking it on the back of your truck and driving through an area with a high population of blacks is just asking for trouble.
But this whole poppy thing is a red herring. The issue is we all must deal with new immigrants and how we perceive them and how we treat them could make all the difference in how harmonious our lives are. We cannot turn back the clock and put everyone back where they started from. (Hint: Many of those shouting the loudest here in the US would no longer be here) So we must find ways to adapt to our ever changing world and somehow make it work. The UK has a more pressing problem than the US in that it size limits the number of people it can hold, house, feed and employ. The US has similar issues in that new immigrants seem to gravitate to a concentrated area. Usually determined by type of jobs available, and that area can become crowded but we also have many large cities and wide open land so we are better able to spread out. Frankly, I think the US immigration “problem” is just some made up shit to get the pitchfork mob behind a common “enemy”. Which then feeds the terrorist agenda. Imagine how hard it would be to recruit new people to your cause if those same people were being welcomed and integrated into a community and shown caring and support.

jess
Reply to  rockync
6 years ago

Sorry, not sorry, the only place the confederate flag should be is in a museum as part of a vignette of what not to do EVER. I agree with the whole common enemy thing and that does not just include immigrants it encapsulates those of us that are “others” in society because…reasons know to morons only. It cannot only be certain groups of us trying to “make it work” when we have people immigrant bashing for the sake of immigrant bashing. Me, myself and I are actually at the end of patience with the bashers among us and we all will not be working with them to fix anything because they don’t want things fixed.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Rockync
6 years ago

Excellent!…apart from the poppy thing. I wasn’t wearing it to provoke anyone. I was wearing it cause I always do this time of the year.

Still, I like the cut of your jib 😀

Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

I am so sorry I have offended you. I am sensitive myself, so I sympathize with your hurt feelings. It is awful when someone totally misinterprets what is being said, picks on a sentence or phrase and taints everything with the same brush. So I will state categorically, for the whole world to read, you are not a nationalist, nor are you an Islamaphobe, or an anti mainland European. In fact I don’t know what you are. I was wrong of me to jump to conclusions.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Thank you. Love n hugs. It’s gone and forgotten xxx

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

And for the record I’m an animal lover so I can’t be all bad 😻

Reply to  Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

That’s true 🙂

Glenn R. Geist
6 years ago

Don’t you think “rabid nationalism” is just a typically cheap example of the defensive insult? It doesn’t even come close to being apt because what I see is a defense of human rights. For you to be making sense here, you’d have to be taking offence as something he’s not actually done. He’s not making fun of holidays or clothing nor language nor personal habits or appearance, but of cutting up women, strangling them and drowning them. Are your “principals” so broad that you can’t see the difference?

Even Christians sometimes approach being civil and even enlightened, but it’s taken them centuries. One hopes that the baggage some have brought from abroad will be dropped, but seriously, England’s indigenous people have a past to be ashamed of and I don’t see you acknowledging it. Perhaps you’re just too high up the pedestal.

Bobbie Peel
Reply to  Glenn R. Geist
6 years ago

I said “rabid nationalism” because his bio reads “English First, British Second, European Never.” Free speech, yes, nationalism, also yes.

Do you really think he cares that much about honor crimes, I don’t. Just another reason to slam people he has a dislike for.

The English, then the British do have a past that is shameful, same as all western countries, especially the US. I acknowledge them all, unlike many Americans. The Native American holocaust and the enslavement of West Africans in particular. But they are aping past empires and regimes, it always ends badly.

I do not have much time for religion, especially the Abrahamic trio, no matter how civil they may appear to be, worship the same god but dislike each other. The flames of hate offend me and the winds of war could blow me off my pedestal.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

“Do you think he cares that much about honor crimes?”

That is offensive. You are clearly stating I do not care about innocents being, in the worst case, murdered.

Apart from saying “Grow up” I have not insulted nor offended you. Your latest spurious accusation tells me “Grow up” was pretty accurate sadly.

Given that aforementioned comment it appears I am the liberal and you are anything but I am afraid.

Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Nice to know you are maybe a decent human being, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

I’m sure Mike wouldn’t tolerate rabid nationalists writing for him and he must know you better than I do.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

I try to he decent…sometimes even manage it 😀

Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

In your case, “certain immigrant groups” always mean Muslims. Always.

I’ve been a visitor to MadMikesAmerica for some time and it’s noticeable your posts have a recurring theme, and it’s not love and peace.

A few years back I found myself in a conversation with a member of Combat 18. His hobby was to become friendly with center and left of center web magazines and spread the word in a self deprecating manner through comments and posts. You remind me of him.

And what was the word?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_18

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Combat 18? Me??? Really??? 😂😂😂😂

I am many things Bobbie but I can assure you I am not evil.

Sometimes misguided? Sometimes wrong? Yes. Never, however, afraid to openly debate and state my views.

Also, Mike isn’t daft and whilst he agrees with freedom of speech he’d never allow such views within a country mile of MMA.

That I can guarantee!!

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Actually you’re right. It’s almost always Muslims.
Probably because, lately, it’s almost always Muslims in Britain when there’s a problem.

If Sikhs or Poles or Albanians start causing problems I’m sure I’ll go off on one then too…😛

Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

In your case “certain immigrant groups” are always Muslim. Always.

I’ve been reading MadMikesAmerica for several years and I’ve noticed a recurring theme with your posts, and it’s not love and peace.

A few years back I occasionally got into discussions with a guy who belonged to an organization called Combat 18. He said him and his friends had a hobby of friending up with center or left of center web magazines to spread the word in a self deprecating way. You remind me of him.

And what was the word he was spreading?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_18

Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

You had me when talking about abuse of young women then you made it about you and your very obvious prejudice.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Oh for Gods (or the deity of your choice) sake. Grow up.

So my personal experience regarding the clear unwillingness of certain immigrant groups, in this case Muslim, to adapt to and accept the values of their adopted country doesn’t apply in my own article?

It isn’t prejudice to object to an alien culture becoming invasive in your own town and your own country using both personal and national issues.

If you think it is my deepest sympathies for your inability to see the bleedin’ obvious.

Carolyn
6 years ago

I lived in a nice DC neighborhood for many years. About 8-10 years ago Muslims gradually started buying up the houses and moving in. Within a relatively short time they were the majority. They would erect signs in the public parks telling people not to walk their dogs there as they found it offensive. One day we had friends over for BBQ. As the meat was cooking a gaggle of Muslims beat on the door demanding we immediately stop cooking pork as it was dirty and they found it offensive. When you’d see them on the street or in the stores they would glare at you, almost threateningly. Incidents such as this increased as time passed until we couldn’t take it anymore and moved away. I understand where you are Neil and I’m no intolerant racist.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Carolyn
6 years ago

It does tend to be those who haven’t experienced such things who believe we are wrong.

Wow Carolyn! Even I’ve never experienced it that badly!

Mind you….I’d just add more bacon to the BBQ to wind em up 😛

Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

By the way. Nobody is even interested that young women and girls are suffering FGM and honor crimes????

jess
Reply to  Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

Of course we are interested and I even made a point, that till men accept us as equals nothing will change and you poo pooed the idea of men and women being equal unless we are talking about the west. You know damn well we were not talking about just the west, I am talking worldwide with equality for women and girls. I say YET again, till women have full equality and body autonomy, separate from the men folk, we will still see FGM and honor killings because it’s all done in the name of some god or another having handed down his words to stone age men, who still see their role as the head of us because…reasons.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

I just find it hard to equate FGM with equal pay is all.

You are right – as usual 😀 – with the worldwide equality thing mind you.

Bill Formby
6 years ago

While Neil does frequently complain about Muslims he may not be totally overboard. I have a friend that lived in a D.C. suburb where the population was about 65% Muslim. This friend was a very tolerant guy until he moved into this area. Living, or finding a place to live in D.C., unless you are a millionaire, is exceptionally difficult. However, about 6 0r 7 months after he moved there I began to get these really bitchy e mails about the Muslims, and their cultural practices. While I encouraged him to be more tolerant he sound a lot like Neil. He said that it was just having Muslims in the neighborhood that bothered him; it was that the neighborhood had become Muslim and he felt as if he was no longer in America. According to him, their culture is so overwhelming that he felt like he couldn’t even breathe. After two years he actually quit his job just to move out of that situation.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bill Formby
6 years ago

Thanks Bill. Untill you know you don’t know eh?

Where I live the vast majority of Muslims are decent people but they have no interest in adapting to a western lifestyle.

I know how your pal felt…even though, apparently, I’m wrong to feel this way.

Anon
Reply to  Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

You go Neil,, don’t let these liberal pussies shame you. You dislike Muslims plain and simple and it’s perfectly normal a white person.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Anon
6 years ago

Sorry pal. Wrong.

I don’t dislike anybody who isn’t the same as me.

I dislike a lack of respect for my country and our ways.

That is not disliking Muslims – or anyone else come to that.

I’d respect your comment more if you had the courage to not be Anon.

Glenn R. Geist
Reply to  Anon
6 years ago

Is the improper sentence structure here accidental? Certainly putting words in someone’s mouth and making racist statements about white people isn’t accidental, now is it?

I can’t speak for Great Britian, but American immigrants who want to be and become American have mostly predominated here. This is no so in parts of Europe. My ancestors came here because they didn’t like the “old country” and didn’t want to import those things here.

Speaking for myself, what I dislike most is the kind of snotty, arrogant and vain comment you just made. No ethnicity has a patent on that.

jess
6 years ago

Not such a big difference when you think about it. Women are blamed for all the evils in the world, till men accept we are not that way and treat us accordingly nothing will change. It’s really not a big leap to treat women with respect to see honor killing lessen.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

Men are clearly responsible for almost all the evils in the world!

Equality in the west is a genuine cause I wholeheartedly support be it women, gay rights, human rights, racial equality or what ever.

FGM and honor crimes are waaaaay beyond even trying to look at it from purely a respect point.

Well, I reckon so anyroad.

I ever fail to show respect and I wonder who will be on me here? 😉

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

Men are clearly responsible for 99% of the worlds evils in my view.

Cept me of course 😛

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

The more I read what you say Jess the more I disagree.

With respect I would suggest FGM is a fan sight worse than equal pay?

Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

May I point out that Diana Nammi, director of the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation seems to think there is a problem too?

If you actually read the article I would suggest it isn’t my opinion, it’s a sad fact at the moment.

I’m sure Diana could explain it far better than I can.

jess
6 years ago

Come on Neil, change up your oppressors now and then instead of it being all about them Muslims being evil doers, it’s getting a bit old. As far as honor killings and FGM, when women are accepted as equals to men everywhere, not just in Britain, things will change but not till then.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

I did actually point out that FGM is not a religious thing – albeit many Muslims, particularly African, are involved. It’s cultural.

There’s a big difference between equal rights for women in the west and FGM and honor killings. A very big difference.

Britain has a serious problem. It ain’t gonna go away by ignoring it or pretending everything’s just fine and dandy that’s for sure.

6 years ago

Britain IS multicultural!

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Shirley Greene
6 years ago

Yes but not to the extent of accepting cultural values that include enforced marriage, FGM or honor crimes surely???

6 years ago

Don’t know where my comments have gone.

Admin
6 years ago

You do seem to have a lot of “confrontations” with various Muslims there old bean. Bobbie might have a point you know 🙂

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Professor Mike
6 years ago

I just live in an area that is well over 60% Muslim is all. 59.99999% are absolutely fine. The odd one isn’t.

Would be the same if I lived in a 100% Christian area. 99.99999% fine and dandy with the odd bad’n.

Bobbie Peel
Reply to  Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

60% of your local population is Muslim you say. One of them disrespected you, therefore you write this article. You have a problem with all 60% no matter how badly you protest. Next you’ll be saying you have Muslim friends, people with festering opinions usually do..

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Actually I do. However I will say my Muslim friends are either westernized or, if not, make a genuine effort to fit in which is appreciated.

I actually wrote this article primarily regarding the serious issue in Britain regarding ‘honor crime’, primarily Muslim, and FGM.

I mentioned the more personal incident to emphasise too many immigrants, particularly Muslim, along with many British born still refuse to adopt or adapt to British / western values.

When you live amongst such a large number behaving in this way in your country you would have to be a lunatic to not object.

If I wanted to live in Islamabad I’d move there. It shouldn’t move here.

Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Same old post, different headline. Painting yourself as a victim of intolerance.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

Not particularly. One isolated incident doesn’t make me a victim of anything.

Several isolated incidents don’t either.

It’s probably more me insisting on being me than anything.

I know my area well. I know there’s a liklihood – particularly after Friday prayers – that given the hundreds around by the law of averages one will object to my poppy.

Common sense says don’t walk around wearing one at that time if you know there’s a chance of something like that happening.

Thing is, me and common sense are not always on the same wavelength 🙂

Besides, we can all be intolerant or a victim of if we choose to be.

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