Don't you think poor education is behind rampant racism and bigotry targeting minorities, at least in Britain?

Question

According to recent statistics (see Economist Oct 28th - Nov 3rd 2006), whites in Britain are trailing way behind students from the other ethnic communities. Cannot we indeed see a link there?

To Phish

Cultural identity is not something static. It is very dynamic, ever-changing. Minorities currently sharing the British soil with the original inhabitants are bound to further affect the nature of the British identity, like it or not.

To Wavy:

Source: DFES

Answer 1

Absolutely! But firstly, let us be clear about education. Education encompasses what we learn in schools and other centres of education, our upbringing (what we learn from our parents) and what we "teach" ourselves through reading and watching TV, etc.

One of the notable mistakes in formal education (schools, etc) in Britain is the failure to teach languages from an early age. In places like Sweden and Germany children learn at least one additional language from the age of 3 or 4. We start at the age of 11 and, even then, there is very little emphasis put on it.

I also think many young offenders (where racism and bigotry have been influencing factors) should be made to work for third world agencies in the Third World. They might soon change their tune.

Answer 2

Lack of tolerance for others is the main reason for bigotry and racism, both in the U.S. and in the UK. It may also be the same in other countries as well. Good education and home life are important for generating good moral values. Today's youth wants to skip the hard part of learning and go straight to the pot of gold. Payment of dues has always been important to those who have gotten somewhere, through hard work. We look down upon and even despise those who "skip" the in-between steps. I was lucky to be born at a time where work ethics was an important theme in the growing-up process. Today's youth deosn't fully know the difference between right and wrong. They, and also adults tend to make judgement calls on right/wrong issues. Although they understand the basic R/W between killing and other capital crimes, they make judgement calls that favor their own interests. For example: It is wrong to rob a bank, but stealing supplies from your employer or shop-lifting an in-expensive item is OK. NO, IT IS NOT OK. Stealing is stealing. There is no degree of stealing. Many similar examples exist involving lieing, cheating, bearing false witness. I am not what anyone would consider a "religious" person, but I believe in the ten commandments and the golden rule. I try to treat my fellow man as I would like for him to treat me. That is; with the respect I have earned throught the years. When it's time for us to go to that giant enchilada-in-the-sky, we will be judged by our deeds and how we treated our fellow man.

Answer 3

Rich well educated people are more Bigoted and Racist than any other group within the UK. Remember statistics only reflect opinion of the demographic responding to the pole. Was this taken in Luton High Street or Eaton/Cambridge?
Don't believe everything published in the paper. Also who funded or commissioned the study, was it independent or funded by a pressure group or other organisation with a hidden agenda?

Answer 4

I had an extremely good education. An excellent primary school, grammar school, then onto college for a further education in the technical skills that a classical grammar education hadn't taught me.

I am a racist, but I don't see my racism as bigotry, as my racism is founded on the truth of the matter, and is not affected by woolly leftie thinking, or censored by political correctness.

As far as I am concerned, this is Britain, if you decide to live here, then you abide by the accepted customs established here. I'm not interested in your ethnic language, religion, customs, views, etc. If ethnic minorities don't want to abide by established British custom, then I strongly suggest they pack their cases, and fu*ck off to somewhere else.

Answer 5

I'm not sure as has a lot to do with education so much as a desire to learn and live tolerance and difference. I have met some highly educated people with the most vile values and beliefs about people of colour and gay and lesbian people. Equally I have met people with the minimal of education who are model citizens and have high values of respect and tolerance which they put into practice in their daily life. I think there lies the key, you can educate people about difference/tolerance/harmony and equality until you are blue in the face but if the value system they are bred with is askew then teaching these issues can be as rewarding and helpful as peeing direct into a force nine gale.

Answer 6

I think bigotry and racism is to do with upbringing and stupidity not education. And why kids from other ethnic communities do well in education is because their parents have taken a lot of trouble to get here and they want to do well and they want their children to do well to they help and encourage them a bit more than what we consider normal

Answer 7

poor education is down to two things.Either they have lousy teachers or the kids have no interest in the lessons. how the hell can anyone say it is racist because the ethnic minorities are trying to get a better education because they realise that its the only way to get a decent job these days.Our lot couldn't care two figs about education in this nannie state.

Answer 8

I think poor education has alot to do with it it but i feel its how the child is brought up by his/her parents. Children learn how to relate to other people mostly from their parents. I think that segregated schools are wrong as children dont get the chance to mix and learn from other cultures.

Although if the parents are poorly educated you might be on to something.

Nice question.

Answer 9

Agreed for the most part, at least to me it is at least a contributing factor in extreme cases. I think this applies to other areas as well. That being, what seems to be shaping up as a modern day holy war.

Answer 10

This country is a toilet bowl now and WILL be a 3rd world country like India/Brazil in another 30years time. I wish I had the cash to move to Australia.