Leicester and Birmingham: ‘Diversity is a beautiful thing’

The first UK "super-diverse" cities are Leicester and Birmingham, where most residents are black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME). In these cities, people from minority ethnic groups make up 59% and 51% of the total population respectively.

According to statistics, 59% of people in Leicester city come from a non-white background while in Birmingham, it’s 51% and Luton is at 54%. Meanwhile, BAME accounts for 18% of England’s entire population according to data collected during the last census.

John Cotton who is a Labour councillor described the multi-culturalism in Birmingham as “a real asset” even though the outcome was anticipated.

“In the end it is individuals who make a city and individuals make a home, right here in Birmingham that city and house are one thing–we are proud to be thus: our gentle door is open for all,” said mayor. Although he states that this only confirms what they knew about the populations makeup already he added that “this information will be vital when dealing with central government in allocating resources so that we can get our fair share of funding and support so everyone has an opportunity to prosper and succeed.”

Dr. Chris Zembe, senior history lecturer at De Montfort University specialising on colonial/postcolonial history as well as African diaspora, explains that “evolving local political willingness to accept immigrants from outside Europe’s borders” has resulted into diverse nature of Leicester.

The mayor says Leicester, which she describes as ‘‘a global village’’, has become a cosmopolitan city due to policies promoting acculturation rather than assimilation.

To mark 30 years since Stephen Lawrence’s murder in London next year, the university will run a project through its Stephen Lawrence Research Centre examining experiences of marginalised individuals institutionalised racism and racial violence. Census data indicated that Prof. Lisa Palmer an official at the center felt showed "now more than ever all institutions nationally, from education, health and employment need to take the issue of race and racism seriously if we are going to address deeply ingrained forms of inequality in society."

Prana café at the heart of Leicester city centre owned by Sukh and Andie Johal is one example of the "melting pot of cultures" found in the city. Staffed largely by people born and bred in Leicester such as Sukh himself, it also employs people from South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and Turkey. We have always been very diverse since time began. Everything just falls into place naturally as it should. “The issues and divisions arise when we begin to categorise ourselves into groups,” said Sukh. “I believe that diversity is a wonderful thing.”