Why do immigrants who are willing to integrate face negative stereotypes and racism? I am from Nigeria.?

Question

Again, I am not generalising. There are many nice and kind Englishmen for sure, but they are SILENT on many issues that support elements that preach intolerance and hatred. I was born Nigeria and came here 7 years back and I don't live off anybody - I am mechanic and at work, I am appreciated for my skill. Even though I had to face customers who didn't want a N.I.G.G.E.R to service their cars - pacifists teach us it is only a few who are actually filled with hate - but, I don't think it's few - there are way too many idiots who really spoil your fresh day with a condescending remark and I just happen to be a sensitive person. The only reason I came this country - of course, to seek a much better quality of life, more money, comfort - name one human being who doesn't need it. And then you have the BNP who come and preach that Immigrants don't like to integrate - what do you mean by integration - to lose your self-respect and identity! Can somebody precisely define it.

Answer 1

Someone in the UK said they did not want a n i g g e r to service their car!!!!???

How bloody pathetic! Hope you "forgot to put in the brake fluid"

Answer 2

I feel you man. I think what they are talking about in "refusing to integrate" are several things. There is nothing at all wrong with self-respect, identity, and holding on to cultural values no matter who you are or where you are from.

With that said, when people of a similar culture "pool" together, say in a certain part of town, this action is contrary to an attitude of integration. Nothing wrong with wanting to be around people with similar culture, but by creating these pockets, it sends a negative message. Little China is a good example. It's like stepping out of the U.S. and into another country. This is not integration and goes beyond holding on to identity and culture. It's alienation of those inside the circle AND those outside it.

There are certain speech patterns that are purposefully emphasized for reasons I don't understand resulting in 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th generation Americans having trouble communicating with others outside their own group. I'm not talking about mere accents here, but actual words that are chosen in place of the common English tongue. Again, they are free to do this, but it is certainly not in the spirit of integration.

Many of the racial rifts the U.S. experiences are caused by close-minded bigots. Still others are contributed to by those who go out of their way to be anything other than an "American" in America.

For the purposes of the UK (which I just realized you were referring to), I see it's much the same. Just substitute geography as needed. However I noticed the speech patterns aren't as much of a problem there as it is here.

Answer 3

Sadly there are many racist idiots everywhere in this world - the UK is not alone in that.
What these racists don't understand is that the UK is made up from many different peoples. The history of the world is one of migration. People moan that the UK is too small - which I suppose it is - but people are leaving these shores all the time. Perhaps, by Integration, the BNP mean - not wanting to blow us all up in suicide bombings. Or does it mean we should all have Sunday roasts and cucumber sandwiches for tea?
My definition of integration is 'getting on well with each other, and loving your neighbour - in which case, from my experience, many anti social white English people have no intention of integrating.
I was once worried to hear that an asylum seeking Somalian family were moving into the house next door. My worries were unfounded as they were lovely people and did their best to fit in and be friendly. Sadly the local yobs drove them out (I phoned the police many times but they did nothing to help)
My wife is Ukrainian and has integrated very well, she's now an accountant. We go to her Church and keep in touch with the Ukrainian community but she has many English friends. She has kept her identity and self respect.
My dear friend don't worry, be yourself (and can I have a discount on my next car service) and I hope you find the life you want here on these shores.

Answer 4

I lived in Nigeria for a time back in the 90's ( i am a white brit - if that matters) After seeing what I saw there I totally understand why people come to the uk - I wouldnt want a dog to live in some of the conditions I saw. Unfortuantely, British people have an innate mistrust of 'foreigners' the whole empire thing did a lot of damage. Not only did it give us the misguided idea that we are better than everyone else but we also ended up abandoning the countries we built up and left them with no real mechnisms in place to build and rule themselves successfully.

It all sounds very general, I know, but that is what stereotyping is all about. Unfortunately, the press does tend to report the frauds and 'baddies' that come out of other countries. Sensationalism sells unfortunaltely. I hate to be generalised about, and to generalise about others, but I know it is hard not to....I am not racist, but am not perfect either. It is awful that you feel your culture has to be compromised to fit in..I reckon there should be compromises on everyones front - people like the BNP can never do that.

Answer 5

I see a lot of valid points and the intergration arguement seems to be one that many people share a common view. You want to play on our pitch, you play by our rules. Simple

But nigeria has very recently on an international scale given itself a bad reputation as the homeland of the scams and cons.

But saying things like 'everyone is the same, your skin colour dosent make any difference!' Thats something children say! People of a different racial background have different mental and physical characteristics.

Africa is a case in point. With its vast mineral resources and its potential to make billions in tourism, it could easily become the most powerful and prosperous continents on the planet. But their ability to think a problem through is none existant (zimbabwe). Countries that could make millions in tourism instead choose to fight and kill millions (somalia) The list is endless. And the aids issue could be the final nail in the coffin. Some of the african countries, but only a small few, have cottoned on to the european method of thinking but many more are still killing each other with machetes. What is happening in darfur was happening in rwanda in the 90s and mozambique in the 80's. Whos up next for a go at genocide.

But getting back to your point. Tolerance is a delicate thing, you can give it the odd tap and it wont break, but when you swing a sledge hammer at it is shattered. And that is happening in modern day britain. People wernt happy with the caribbean immigrants of the 50's but their high level of intergration made people think that the brits were unquestionaly tolerant. But the muslim issue pushed once 'tolerant' people into questioning their own loyalties. And when people started dying on the underground and buses last year, well thats your sledge hammer right there!

Answer 6

I had hoped that with the English having found a new scapegoat in Muslims, the people who were at the sharp end previously (particularly Africans) would be having a slightly better time of it now. I am sorry to hear that is not the case.

I imagine that 'integration' is one of those words that can mean anything to anybody. My own view of people who were born in one culture and move into another is that you should live fully in accord with your adoptive culture, but preserve those elements of your birth culture that do not conflict with it.

I am sorry you are having a bad time, but I hope your personal integrity will allow you to overcome it. One thing you might try is to politely comment on the 'condescending remarks' you get. Many people speak without considering the effect their words might have on somebody else, and having that pointed out to them politely might make them think again.

Answer 7

all i can say is we all don't sit back and do nothing. most of the decent people in this country are trying to stop this negative stereotyping if we didn't we still would have the problems that existed in the 1970's and before and indeed since. there is racism in all walks of life and from all colours and creeds, and you must have come across this in nigeria as well as over here,, and besides no one really listens the the bnp and you would no this, if you realise that they keep being sent to court for preaching race hate, im short fat middle aged and white and trust me i've had negative things said to me as well, some people are just idiots and dont let it spoil your life

Answer 8

Well i conpletely understanding wanting to move to a better country and i applaud you for your hard work. I myself am a white brit and i moved to london a year ago with an open mind, so id never lived amongst immigrants or even balck people so its been a learning curve for me to know what people of different origins are like. Im sorry to say tho, that some experiences with african/black carabean womaen hasnt been that great.

I worked in retail the 1st year here and the way they treated me as a worker in a shop was so disrespectful. I think its down to the way they are.I never had this problem with people of any other origin. In the fitting rooms, they wud throw the clothes all in a mess on me and expect me to put the clothes back on the hanger! but british people tended to be more respectful. Although i wud say not all british people are great either.

And the afro carabean women who worked in the shop tended to stick together and not socialise with the rest of us. I felt a little intimidated to be honest. And its from being here in london experiencing it 1st hand that has shaped my view not the media. I realize not all afro/carabean woman are like this.

My brother is married to a black women who is lovely. So what im sayin is, some people give others a bad name. And i guess the media is gonna glamorize a story arent they.

oh oh....why do i get a hands down for my opinion!?! i dodnt say anything rude! just what ive experienced myself!

Answer 9

It is getting better, you may not think so but your predecessors had a worse time. I know there are no excuses for the behavior of some people but on the whole Britain is the most civilised tolerant country in the world, That is why so many choose to come here. Attitudes can not be changed over night, It will happen.

Answer 10

Do you know what,You sound like a really nice honest guy,But there are a lot of immigrants for whom coming to England is a way of making money and abusing our National health service,and social security,and expecting to get a house just because thy are immigrants,while people from this country are put further and further down the waiting list it is so unfair.On another count there is no need to racially abuse you when you are a hard working man,Myself i can see both sides of the story.I wish you well and a very Merry Christmas

Answer 11

Part of it was anti-Soviet propaganda that stuck, forever connecting atheism and Communism in some people's minds. Others are simply made up out of whole cloth, starting with broad assumptions about what people who don't believe in their pet sky faerie MUST be like. Some have gotten reinforced be actual contact. The "angry atheist" often comes up because Christians really cannot understand that when you annoy an atheist (by trying to preach/convert/lecture them), they tend to get irritated or even loose patience. Year after year of this kind of treatment tends to make someone rather negatively disposed towards religion entirely.