A Mirror for Modern Britain: The Truth About Integration and Decency

Journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown recently stated on the BBC that white people in the UK need to “integrate better” with immigrants. What surprised me most wasn’t the comment itself, but the outrage that followed, the cries of “she’s mad!” from those who clearly missed the point.

Now, I’ll start by saying that I don’t entirely agree with her statement as it stands. If we apply that logic globally, it would mean that if anyone moved abroad, to a country rich with deep-rooted culture and heritage, they should expect the locals to adapt to them, the newcomer seeking something better and different. That doesn’t make sense. Integration, after all, is a two-way street.

But here’s where the conversation really needs to shift: the issue isn’t about who should initiate integration. The real problem is that too many people, particularly within white British society, fail at the basics of human decency.

Instead of fostering understanding, many choose violence, hatred, and segregation, over what? Skin colour? Language? Cultural difference? It’s baffling when you realise that much of what defines British life today, from cuisine to sport to healthcare, is enriched by people from other backgrounds. The irony couldn’t be louder.

Should integration fall solely on the shoulders of white Britons, or anyone for that matter? No. But there is a universal responsibility, to treat human beings with respect and kindness, regardless of where they come from. The same goes for those arriving in a new country: respect the land, its people, and its laws.

Yet, the sad truth is that there’s often little middle ground within the white British community when it comes to simple decency.

Yes, people should follow immigration laws and obtain residency through the proper channels. But let’s be honest, that’s rarely the real issue. The deeper issue is that ignorance, entitlement, and hatred are so deeply ingrained in parts of white British society that it’s become a problem only they can fix.

Some advice? Seek therapy. Find faith. Reflect. And unless you’re actively working to return what was stolen, the resources, cultures, and lives that helped build “Great” Britain, the home of the colonisers, maybe just take a break. Have a KitKat. (Now that’s truly British.)