IntruderLS1

Just trying to get some attention with the title.

My wife and I were out shopping today, and while she was trying on new clothes, a very charming black Briton wandered in. We talked small talk for 5 or 10 minutes or whatever, then went our separate ways.

Two years ago I spent a week in London for Christmas. Talking to this gal tonight reminded me of an observation I made while I was there.

In England, there was no sub-culture that I could detect with the different ethnic groups. Black people, white people, brown people, Asian people (oriental for you English chaps on site) they were all just Britons. Same accents, same speech patterns, etc...

I wonder why that isn't the case here in America? I'm not saying for sure weather it's better or worse, just curious. To me, the racial tension felt to be almost non-existent, and I suspect that was the reason.

What are your thoughts? I know we have some people here from England. Do we have any Americans of African decent here to speak up?

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BreakfastSurreal

SRC is black dutch or something. lol. hehehheehe <3

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IntruderLS1

Oops... Wrong forum.

Would one of you fine admins please move this over to philosophy and debate for me? :embaras

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AUDRAA

moved and a mod moved it for you not an admin

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IntruderLS1

LOL I suck at this. :P

Thanks.

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elluko

I've never talked to a British black person, but I do watch Fresh Prince of Bel-air a lot.
I think Geoffrey counts.

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Homer

i think alot of it comes from the hate and cruelty from groups like the KKK.

dt3

Did Britain have a long drawn out civil rights movement? I honestly don't know, but there was a long period in our history where we kept black people seperate and there only interactions were with each other. Maybe that has something to do with it

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Homer

I think your right it goes hand in hand with what i said.

dt3

Your post is what gave me the idea

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Homer

the sad thing is i see no change in the near future , not untill we fight corrupiton in government/religion insted of each other.

IntruderLS1

Yeah, at first I thought of the slavery thing too, but I don't think that could be it. Slavery was a European tradition for much longer than it was an American. I don't remember off the top of my head when Briton gave equal rights to people of color, but I don't think it was far removed from the American Civil War.

What about pro's and con's? Do you think we benefit from people of different ethnic groups having their own sub-cultures, or do you think it makes us a weaker people as a whole?

I can see it both ways. As a businessman I would tell you that diversity makes the workforce a more vibrant, flexible place. As a citizen, I think sharing a similar history and background would end a lot of misunderstandings and hatred.

I think it boils down to basics (as usual). People all want to be treated equally, but maintain their differences. To me these two ideas are very hard to put into the same bed.

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IntruderLS1

I don't know if I would share in that pessimism. When I look at the trends in my own family, I can see racial tension fading fast. My great-grandparents didn't like blacks. My grandparents were uncomfortable around them. My parents are minimal, closet racists (i.e. they judge early, but treat fairly). Personally, I really enjoy knowing different types of people. I secretly hold several stereotypes, but I don't force people into them. If they show me different, I'm cool with that. I plan on raising my son to have no fear or preconceived ideas about people different than him.

Look at Obama's run for president. 15 years ago, it would have been a joke. Today, the guy has a shot.

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dt3

I know plenty of white boys who love rap, so I think they'd say sub-cultures are a good thing Honestly though, I can see it making us "weaker people as a whole". But at the same time our nation is known for being a melting pot. So to me, diversity is what we have in common/gives us national pride, if that makes sense.

Well said.

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Homer

i think the media is a big part of the problem to.