Columnist's disappointing comment

From the The Bolton News, first published Tuesday 13th Feb 2007.

I AM writing in response to Chris Moncrieff's article (February 6) which featured the Muslim woman making a two-fingered salute.

There is no excusing her for that, and she should know better. However, this is not what has incensed me and the reason for this letter.

Chris Moncrieff wrote: "I have never understood how it is that people who come to settle here from overseas treat their hosts, sometimes with such hatred and callousness."

This statement beggars belief and is at the heart of deep down racism. How does Chris know if this lady came from overseas, or if her parents did, or was it her grandparents? He dismisses the possibility of her being the same as him - British. This issue is the same as the recent Big Brother row - he may as well have added: "If she doesn't like it here then she can go home."

She was wrong to make that salute, but however wrong she is, is she really not entitled to make that gesture as much as any other British citizen without the origins of her parents or grandparents being brought up?

This raises the question, "are we British or are we merely being hosted?" While there are people like Chris Moncrieff among us, immigrants will never be accepted as British, regardless of passing citizenship tests, or being born here, or being the child of a parent/grandparent who was born here.

I am disappointed to read The Bolton News columnist making such remarks.

Salim Bhorat Bolton

Archive Home