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Ghetto Britain

Writer: David Rosenberg

Ghettos – myth and reality | Who lives where and why? | Economic deprivation and race relations | White power in the cities | Can we get along?

Ghettos – myth and reality

Sociologists defined American ghettoes of the 1960s and '70s as 'the geographical expression of complete social rejection'. But the word 'ghetto' was not invented in America. It is an Italian word, describing a walled, gated area where 16th century Jews were legally confined.

Dr Robert Beckford
Dr Robert Beckford
Channel 4

No laws confine minorities in Britain yet in the embattled northern cities of Bradford, Oldham and Burnley, new stereotypes and definitions of 'community' have emerged. In the national climate of Islamophobia, secular anti-racist leaders in these depressed and declining areas have lost ground to religious leaders promoting separatist ideas.

Trevor Phillips, former head of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) warns that Britain is 'sleepwalking towards segregation'. And, he claims, ghettoised communities increasingly welcome their isolation from mainstream society.

It's a stark admission of failure. Since 1976 the CRE has challenged racial discrimination through race relations laws and equal opportunities policies for public bodies, institutions and businesses. And locally organised multi-racial festivals and conferences have promoted racial harmony and integration.

Robert Beckford's programme Ghetto Britain blasts the CRE for its failures, but doesn't question Phillips' central assertion about segregation nor his assumption about who is leading the retreat. Is the trend really towards more segregation? And if so, are the minorities themselves the driving force?

Who lives where and why? >

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