Multi Ethnic Society, Prejudice, Racism, Discrimination, Racial Harmony,
The Nature of the United Kingdom as a multi-ethnic society, including prejudice, racism and discrimination.
What is a multi-ethnic society?
Many different races (and cultures) living together in one society
or
Different races living together
During the 19th Century the UK built an empire around the world. The British Empire became the Commonwealth as nations became independant. After the WW2, a shortage of workers led to many different people from the Empire and Commonwealth coming to work here.
Even so, only 7.9% of UK’s population in 2001 census were ethnic minorities.
Benefits of the Multi-Ethnic Societies
1)There is less chance of war because people of different races and nationalities will get to know and like each other
2)They tend to progress more quickly because new people bring in new ideas and new ways of doing things
3)Life is more interesting with a greater variety of food, music, fashion, and entertainment.
Prejudice, Discrimination & Racism
The difference between prejudice, discrimination & racism
- Prejudice is believing some people are superior or inferior.
- Discrimination is putting prejudice into action and treating people less favourably because of their race/gender/colour etc.
- Racism is the belief that some races are superior to others,
If a multifaith society is to function well, all people must be treated equally and helped to do their best. If people are prejudiced against ethnic group, this will not happen.
For example, a teacher prejudiced against black children will not help them to do their best, and society will lose out.
The other problem with prejudice is that it is likely to lead to discrimination.
For example, prejudiced employers not giving jobs to certain groups of people. If people feel they are being treated unfairly, they will cause problems for society, e.g. turning to crime, because they cant get jobs.
Racial Harmony
Hinduism is opposed to racism and all forms of discrimination.
Hindus are expected to work towards racial harmony. They believe this because:
1) Of the ways Hindus suffered under the Moghul and British Empires
2)Although the concepts of the case system may appear racist, British Hindus see it as a way of treating everyone with respect
3)Most Hindus believe that every sould is an actual or potential part of the divine (Brahman), which means that everyone should have equal value and equal treatment
Explain why Hindus should work for racial harmony.
1)Hindus believe that every soul is an actual or possible part of the divine (Brahman).
2)The way Hindus suffered from racism under the Moghul and British Empires makes them against all racism.
3)Hinduism includes people from many different ethnic groups who are all treated equally.
4)Hindu leaders work with other ethnic groups in the UK to promote racial harmony
5)racism involves ahimsa and so prevents the attainment of moksha
6)Hindu have suffered from racist treatment in India which led Hindu leaders to work for racial harmony and justice
7)Hindus follow the example of Mohandas Gandhi who led the struggle for Indian independence based on the different racial and ethnic groups inIndia working and living together as equals
“If everyone were religious, there would be no racism.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing you have consideredanother point of view. In your answer, you should refer to Hinduism
Reasons for supporting this statement could be:
1)every soul is a part of Brahman so everyone should be treated equally;
2)Gandhi taught that all the ethnic groups of India are equal;
3)many swamis and gurus have taught that racism is wrong;
Reasons for not supporting this statement could be:
1)Evidence of racism in a religious society
2)Evidence of religious people being racist
Outline the contribution of one modern Hindu person or organisationto racial harmony.
SEWA International is a modern Hindu organisation that helps to promote racial harmony by helping people in need regardless of their faith, colour, gender or age. They have helped in the S.E Asia Tsunami to poverty in East Africa.
A modern example of a Hindu person who has contributed to racial harmony is MK Gandhi. Hindus follow the example of Mohandas Gandhi who led the struggle for Indian independence based on the different racial and ethnic groups inIndia working and living together as equals.
‘Religion is the best way of helping different races live togetherin peace.’
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing you haveconsidered another point of view. In your answer, you shouldrefer to Hinduism.
Reasons for supporting this statement could be:
1)Hindu teachings on racial harmony
2)The way in which different races form one community under
3)Hindu gurus/swamis
Reasons for not supporting this statement could be:
1)The wars which have been fought in the name of religion
2)The way in which different religions and races find it hard tolive peacefully together in India
Promoting Racial Harmony
Racial Harmony – different ethnic groups living together
The UK promotes racial harmony to stop prejudice, discrimination, and racism. It does this by encouragement (making racial harmony part of the school curriculum), by example (having black judges and cabinet ministers) and by laws.
The Race Relations Act 1976 banned all forms of racial discrimination and any attempts to stir up racial hatred
The Labour, Conservatory, & Liberal Democrat Party, are all opposed to racism and have MPs or candidates from ethnic minorities. They also support the work of the Commission for Racial Equality towards racial harmony.
Key Facts
A Multi Ethnic Society needs equal oppurtunities and treatment to work, and so prejudice and discrimination cause major problems in such a society. The UK has the Race Relations Act and the Commission for racial Equality to promote racial harmony.