maverick

Answered by Nick Ryan

I think a lot of ignorant people would like to *think* they didn't have to have immigrants. But then again, if that were true, half of them wouldn't be here in the first place. Look at me: half-Irish. Should... Show more »I think a lot of ignorant people would like to *think* they didn't have to have immigrants. But then again, if that were true, half of them wouldn't be here in the first place. Look at me: half-Irish. Should I go? What about the doctor from Malaysia that treated me in my local hospital? Or the South African dentist that fixed my tooth? Sure, when people say that charged word "immigrant", ask them what they really mean. I guarantee you they usually mean brown-skinned people: people who may have been living here three generations or more. Sure, there are problems, no-one denies that. But let's talk about this honestly and openly, without charging the debate already with skewed terms. And yes, I think Britain needs to shift to a stronger form of over-arching identity, like America. But America was founded as a nation of immigrants, so it remains a lot easier there. Saying 'British' to many Brits means little. Maybe the Union Jack means something else overseas, I don't know. Show less »