As a teenager, I was brought up in an area where 'integration' was the watchword. I am not sure that I understood it fully at that point but I had many Polish friends and as I got older it seemed a reasonable way forward. When I became a Christian, it was clearly the only way forward.
All the principles about living together were things that I could wholeheartedly support.
As the years have gone by, the range of nationalities represented amongst my friends is very broad indeed.
The thing that these people all have in common is that they were willing to integrate - and did so.
My friends amongst inward-looking groups are considerably fewer. I am struggling to think of any.
Considering this as a neutral, I would have to conclude that I have probably got things about right.
However, when you have groups which do not do what a majority of Afro-Caribbeans, almost all Poles & Ukranians etc did do - a problem is created.
Living in city ghettos may seem appealing to these groups but they damage integration.
The wicked solution is to call for 'diversity' - which is a second cousin to apartheid when you examine it closely.
It demands: unique treatment; equality of outcome; quotas to right 'perceived wrongs' and special pleading. But worst of all - it inevitably creates 'a victim culture' with attendant embittered mindset.
'Diversity' should mean an expression of one's original culture shared in the occasional fiesta - or whatever.
Instead, it so often leans on a quasi marxist philosophy of entitlement.
Sorry but the society I want to see is a meritocracy. 'Diversity' is turning society into the very opposite of this!
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