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It may be true that one day soon more than half of the population in some of our cities
will come from non-white ethnic groups

In Birmingham’s case, the school population is already more than 50% from such groups

The question is.... What does it all mean?

It is quite pointless saying that the cities will have majority of “black”, “minority” or “non-Caucasian” people. It assumes that simply by being of a non-white ethnic group is sufficient to put people in one category and distinguish them from the white population.

When the first generations arrived in this country most, if not all, of our ethnic minorities were strangers towards one another just as they were in relation to the dominant white population. And yet, we have been fortunate that most have lived harmoniously with others very different from themselves.

The conflict between Pakistanis and Sikhs in Slough in the 90s and the recent troubles between African Caribbean and Asians in Birmingham are isolated exceptions in this respect.

During the 70s and 80s all non-white minorities were grouped together under the political and racial banner “black”. It was assumed that the experience of race discrimination, actual or potential, was sufficient for groups and communities to be defined as such.

In my view, rather than become fixated about what term to use to describe our cities, it is far better to focus our energies in addressing issues which arise from the diversity within them. For example, who is responsible for the running of our institutions?

Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, talked about “snowy peaks” (white at the top and black lower down!) when describing the civil service. Is this not the case also for the Birminghams and Leicesters of this world? In 2004, a report from Citizens Alliance posed a question: “Are we becoming, or have we become, a starkly segregated city with a predominantly white prosperous business sector with minority communities largely excluded from all but manual and clerical positions- a First World and Third World Birmingham?”

The case for having a diverse workforce which reflects the customer base is well made by the National Audit Office Report

I would also want to have a look at how we present our diverse communities. While the city council literature is often very good, some of our commercial newspapers and magazines have someway to go. The above report from Citizens Alliance stated:

On several days each week, the Birmingham Post includes a page of photographs entitled ‘Post People’, a photographic record of events in the business sector in the city; professional and corporate celebrations, charity events, launches, anniversaries, promotions and other gatherings. The people whose images appear in these photographs are almost entirely white

I have looked at the pictures in last 6 editions of City Living, which happens to be a Birmingham Post publication. It claims “20,000 copies printed monthly- distributed to bars, restaurants, hotels and key leisure, lifestyle and residential venues across Birmingham”. One is left with a distinct impression that white people are the only ones living, eating, working and having fun in the city. With the exception of the occasional comedian or sports star, it depicts a white world.

How to categorise our cities?

If we really must use a term to describe our cities and their diversity, then we should choose one that is inclusive. Just as describing our cities as “white majority” places would have excluded many of us in the past, a label such as “black majority” could have the same effect on white people who will, for sometime to come, remain the largest single ethnic group. I would recommend the much more inclusive and positive ‘community of communities’; a term first used by Engelstad and Bird, in 1992, in their book about Canada and later used in this country by the Commission on Multi-ethnic Britain in 2000 then Hopefully, one day we will not need to use such terms but simply refer to our citizens as Brummies!