Posted on 12/11/2001 1:35:27 AM PST by KQQL
A grim report, released today, into last summer's race riots in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham paints a picture of Britain's communties divided, living a series of parallel lives.
It says a lack of contact between the different races is fuelling ignorance and leading to more tension.
Ted Cantle, the author of the report, as chairman of the Community Cohesion Review Team, was charged with analysing the causes of disturbances across the north of England last year.
Ignorance
He highlighted "a depth of polarisation" in Britain's towns and cities which he warned could fuel ignorance which could turn to fear if exploited by extremists.
He visited the scenes of riots in Oldham, Burnley and Bradford as well as touring Southall, West London, Birmingham, Leicester and Sheffield.
The riots injured more than 100 people and caused millions of pounds worth of damage.
Mr Cantle, the former chief executive of Nottingham Council, called for a national debate on a shared British identity.
'Physical division'
The report highlighted separate education, communal and voluntary organisations, employment, places of worship and cultural activities.
It said: "Whilst the physical segregation of housing estates and inner city areas came as no surprise, the team was particularly struck by the depth of polarisation in our towns and cities.
"The extent to which this physical division was compounded by so many other aspects of our daily lives was very evident."
It added: "This means that many communities operate on the basis of a series of parallel lives."
On the issue of honesty in the race debate, it said: "The failure to communicate is compounded by the lack of honest and robust debate as people tiptoe around the sensitive issue of race, religion and culture."
Excellent analogy! I'll have to remember that one.
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