Are we too obsessed with identity? As British society changes, some say the old labels just do not work any more. But others warn we should not lose sight of who we are.
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'Don't put me in a box' on race, says actor
Are we too obsessed with identity? As British society changes, some say the old labels just do not work any more. But others warn we should not lose sight of who we are.
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What's happening?
Yesterday was the final day of the UK's 36th Black History month, a yearly celebration of Black history and life in Britain.
But not everyone agrees on what it means to be both Black and British today. This is, after all, the year in which one of the UK's biggest names, Idris ElbaAn English actor, rapper and singer, born in London in 1972. , stated that he does not want to be thought of as a Black actor.
Some expertsSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. say this is because what it means to be a minorityA group of people from one race, social group, culture etc that is distinct to most other people in the area or situation. is becoming more complicatedDifficult. .
The fastest-growing ethnicityGroups of people with a shared culture, language, history and set of traditions. in the UK is mixed-race.
Their identity can be more complicated.
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What is more, Britain's different ethnic groups have quite different experiences. Almost half of British Chinese households are in the top 40% richest households nationally. Meanwhile, 59% of Black households are in the bottom 40%.3
Some say this means labels like "BAMEBlack, Asian and Minority Ethnic. " no longer refer to anything.
But others are not convinced it is time to throw out labels. They say while all ethnic minorities experience racism differently, what unites them is that they do experience it.
And, they claim, however you think about your identity, society will still treat you as Black or Asian.
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Are we too obsessed with identity?
Yes! Identity just is not that important in most people's lives. It does not decide who their friends are, who they fall in love with or who they vote for.
No! Racism still exists, and there is no way of fighting it without talking about identity. Many people think identity is hugely important.
Keywords
Idris Elba - An English actor, rapper and singer, born in London in 1972.
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Minority - A group of people from one race, social group, culture etc that is distinct to most other people in the area or situation.
Complicated - Difficult.
Ethnicity - Groups of people with a shared culture, language, history and set of traditions.
BAME - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.
‘Don’t put me in a box’ on race, says actor
Not black and white: Idris Elba has been tipped as a potential future James Bond. Glossary
Idris Elba - An English actor, rapper and singer, born in London in 1972.
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Minority - A group of people from one race, social group, culture etc that is distinct to most other people in the area or situation.
Complicated - Difficult.
Ethnicity - Groups of people with a shared culture, language, history and set of traditions.
BAME - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.