Originally Posted by
Banjo
I'm tending to believe that it takes time - possibly generations - for cultural barriers to break down and for different ethnicities to live side by side as opposed to in separate packets around town. I would love to see a situation in Ireland where everyone is as accepted as the next person. Unfortunately I think multi culturalism in this country is still far too young to be anything like that.
I think you're dead right Banjo. There are individuals who will be willing to break the mould and assimilate crosss culturally, but the vast majority of people can't throw off their roots, inhibitions and xenophobic tendencies.
I believe it does take time and probably one or two generations. However, sometimes the opposite can occur and the racial/ethnic divisions worsen over generations. There are examples in Europe of Ethnic gropus that have emigrated years ago but subsequent generations have become even more disenfranchised and alienate.
Emigration into Ireland is a relatively new thing - brought on by the now dead 'Celtic Tiger', i.e. only in the last 10 years. The U.K. has a lot more time to assimilate cultures (we're talking since the 1960's).
"Don't be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours"