General Chat

What a lovely thread - we can learn so much from children, and from ourselves if we remember ourselves as children. When I was a small girl I lived in Uganda for a few years. For my 7th birthday I wanted a black doll. My mother searched high and low for one against the advice of some of her friends who said that the Ugandans would be upset. She found me my doll and I was feted around the village green by all the native women who wanted to see the little white girl who wanted to play with a black doll. They were delighted and so was I. I was surrounded by black people and it made sense to my 7-yr-old self that my world would reflect my surroundings - I guess. At the time I was just a child who saw people as just people. Fortunately for me my parents had that view too and didn't teach me that I was better than anyone else just because I was white. Now I'm an immigrant in a 'white' country and can't get a job in keeping with my qualifications because of that, much like many educated immigrants in Britain. We're all just people with the same issues and struggles the world over and most people hre good and kind, just, as someone said, not newsworthy!

''I feel quite sad that so few people have any opinion on this subject, or is it that some are afraid to post their feelings for fear of another fall-out on the boards-''------------------------------- quote purple petunia --- you shouldn't -- lots of us have opinions we just don't always put them here to be ridiculed. some add their feelings and get ignored so it looks like no one cares or has an opinion -- or are some opinions more high lighted than others?? some have added opinions only to be ignored? x Before I go to work...... we are all human beings --live and let live........... I have the privilege to work every day with nature......nature can be cruel too -- but what a beautiful life we live here..... so honored to watch it ... give thanks for what is ours xx While you all sleep -- me and others like Train drivers/bus drivers etc work... life goes on x sounds pompus wasn't meant to be was my feelings xx

Nice thread, Lily. Like Lemon Nelly I could have left the site in a strop last week after so many people were expressing such nasty views so it's great to see this:))

Just want to echo what David said. Gwynne

As I don't stay up late at night I have only just seen this thread. And how refreshing it is too. I did try and put a balanced view on the threads last week but was dismayed at how vitriolic some of the postings were. Immigrants have had a very bad press because of the 'rotten apples' in the barrel. And also because of the way our Government handles illegal immigrants by giving them so much financial help etc. which causes jealousy among our own people, and it is galling to see our own suffering through lack of money while those who come into the country illegally are given a financial cushion. But so many of the evil things that happen in this country are committed by our own 'home grown'. (Yes Mike, I agree, even the bombers were British). We need to have compassion for displaced people and we need to give thanks that many immigrants have been prepared to do work our own people wouldn't do. My Grandson and granddaughter in Milton Keynes both number cildren from different nationalities among their friends and I honestly don't think they eve notice they are a different colour. that is how it should be and I do hope they don't change as they get older. My Great nieces are half Morroccon and dark skinned, when they moved from London to Hampshire they faced a lot of prejudice which forced them to move back to London. they are lovely girls. Mum and Dad divorced now but he too is a lovely fellow (he is white morroccon, the only white in his own family). Ann Glos

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread - its refreshed my faith in humanity! I was upset by some of the postings earlier - I even had a private e-mail sent to me expressing views directly opposed to mine. I know that people are very disturbed and upset and angry by what has happened - we wouldn't be human if we weren't -but its not a very smart response to brandish everyone of a particular faith/nationality/colour etc with the same brush. I was brought up in a quiet place where there was only one black child and at my school there were just a small handful of children from different racial backgrounds to the majority. But my sons have both gone to a primary school where the children are Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, non-conformists, Catholics, Ras Tafarians, Anglicans and no religion at all. They have a much wider understanding of different cultures than I had at their age, and just take individuals as they find them, on their own merits. Most people in the town I live in get on peacably with eachother. Our Rhythms of the World weekend music festival, the Sikh annual parade to celebrate their new year and many other events are enjoyed by all sections of the community. I try to remember this when I read some of the vitriol on here, or when stories like the appalling axe murder are on the news. Good news doesn't often make the headlines. Nel

Sorry not to reply to this before now, Lily. (You know why I've not been around much.) Just want to say thank you for the thread. :-) Joy

This needs a nudge Nell

As my dear old late nan said There is good and bad in everyone Its just current circumstances which lead people to focus on the bad...and for people who worry assume all are bad Elaine x

does he get paid for his work starstruck.please don't take my views the wrong way.i would feel differently about immigrants if they worked and payed back into society.the state has a way of giving money and accomodation free which i feel is wrong.there are people who were born in this country who are living on the streets in appalling condituions.who are in a vicious circle.they cannot get a job or claim benefits without a fixed abode.the goverment do not help them.they are left to fend for themselvesxxxxxx):

Lisa The majority of immigrants into Britain do work very hard - and always have done, taking the lower paid work that British born people don't want to do. I have Bajan relations, Sri Lankan friends and know Croatians who have come to Britain and have jobs and pay their taxes the same as the rest of us.

asylum seekers cannot work though can they??xxxx(:

Lisa Your post mentioned your problem with immigrants, not with asylum seekers.

I think Felicity has summed it up. Just because someone is different that does not make them inferior to us. Much of the problems we have would have been prevented if we had a more positive control over who we allow into the Country. You can't just go to the good old US of A unless you have a Visa. Any criminal record and they won't even let you visit for a holiday. I remember that Australia had a strict immigration policy, yet we open our borders to Tourists, Terrorists, Immigrants, Asylum Seekers and Criminals fleeing justice. Anyone wishing to enter our Country should be screened before they pass the Port/Airport/Wherever. By all means a fast track through Customs for residents, but they should still be checked. I know this would be time-consuming, but so is the current activity of a big chunk of our Police and Security Services, all paid for by the Long-Suffering public. No honest applicant need be denied entry.

There is a balance in all things. I wouldn,t disagree that immigrants have always done a lot for this country - Hungarians in 1956 etc, but they have also of late brought a very fair share of strife with them. Toxteth riots; the bombers as examples. The country is uneasy in my opinion. Whoever is right, it is too late to do anything about it, but I would like to see controlled immigration of people of all colours made the norm - with emphasis on the 'controlled'. Happy days

I was always told as a child that if people of different colours and backgrounds were skinned and hanging outside a butchers shop you wouldn't know what colour or religion or race they were cos we are all basically the same..........not the nicest analogy I know but the only one I can remember. I am white british and l am proud to be human and humane not British or English or European just a member of the Human race. Julie xxx

I don't reply on here much but I just had to reply to this thread as I get so angry about this subject! Asylum seekers can work in this country after they have been here for 6 months, and many do. I know an asylum seeker, he did voluntary work for his first 6 months in this country, at my workplace, so a)he could learn better English, and b) he wasn't sat around all day. This man has left his country after being penalised for his personal views and spent two years in prison. He has left his family, his business and his life. Since he gained permission to work, he has got a job and fully supports himself. The only handouts he had were in the first 6 months when he had no choice but to allow the govenment to support him, and he hated it. He has been the victim of racist attacks, he recently had a glass bottle thrown at him as he walked down the road, because of what he is. Despite all of this he loves this country and puts lots more into the local community than I or indeed most other 'locals' I know do. He has lots of friends, also asylum seekers who work/support themselves, in fact he knows no other immigrants on benefits in his social circle (which is vast!) only 'British' folks. And just to correct a point made earlier, you can claim benefit when you are of no fxed abode, you just have to have over the counter payments as they cannot post you a giro out. Thanks for listening to my rant, feel better now. Sarah

sarah so why are so many people who were born in britain on the streets and homeless.i get angry when the goverment are quick to take in someone that has problems from another country rather than someone who are on the street.dying everyday from neglect and illness.thatwhat is happeningx):

Lisa, I think you have been misinformed. Many 'homeless' people choose that life because of drug and alcohol abuse. All local authorities have an obligation to house the homeless people who want to be housed, even if only in hostels. There is no need for anyone to sleep on the streets on a permanent basis. Gwynne

i find that hard to believe.maybe it's true but i for one if i were homeless would like the chance to get back on my feet.xxxxxxxxx):