British (English) society from an immigrant’s (mine actually) perspective, part 2

When a foreigner (like myself) has a chat with white British, usually, what he or she hears? Well, I quite often hear: “Oh, your English is very good”. And then I hear national sense of guilt: “We don’t learn foreign languages”. 

Well, it is not exactly true. I know some white British who managed to learn a foreign language – usually, when living abroad for some time. Which is quite an achievement actually – because the whole world wants to learn English. If you are British and you have some basic qualifications you can teach English while staying abroad. The truth is, you British, you don’t have to learn foreign languages. Wherever you are going to travel you can get by just fine with your own native English.

However, going deeper into British/English national psyche one can notice more fundamental issues. 

Living in a diverse multicultural society white British are politically correct and very conscious not to be judgemental. It may be influence of post-colonial ‘white guilt’. Not to be accused for being intolerant or for some kind of “phobia” (e.g. islamophobia) remain one of the fears. In other words there is a culture of what you cannot say in public sphere – unless you are a Pat Condell; and what you say privately between friends.

In my opinion, West has lost its confidence in itself. Several hundred years ago when British were building their empire they knew they were spreading civilisation and they were proud of it. Today people try to avoid controversial subjects (for example some aspects of immigration) in a fear of offending someone. On the other hand I understand that it could be dangerous discussing openly certain issues but I believe problems should not be kept under the carpet of political correctness. There is no need to shy away from noticing that what has been left from agrarian, feudal, tribal cultures around the world can be interesting but it has nothing to offer for western secular democratic society - nothing equal, nothing better, nothing worth to copy.

It appears British are aware of that in the same way they are aware sometimes individuals from ethnic minorities take advantage of the system - like abusing benefits or accusing their employers for racism in case of running into trouble. But they will not call spade a spade. Because you just not suppose to say things like that publicly. Someone could say you are judgemental or call you a racist.

One of the illnesses of multiculturalism is this: it does not necessary help to integrate people into society. In fact, it creates many living independently groups and establishing faith schools does not help. Pakistanis who came to this country some decades ago had to send their children to British schools and their children had better chance for integration than a child send these days and attending an ‘ethnic’ faith school.