Ashcroft, R. T., and Bevir, M. (2017) ‘Multiculturalism in contemporary Britain: policy, law and theory’, Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 21(1), pp. 1-21, Web.
The article addresses questions of multiculturalism in the UK, emphasising certain historical processes from the Second World War until the modern days. Although the authors work at the University of California, their knowledge of political science and the use of various references demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subject. Ashcroft and Bevir suggest that the previously primarily White population in the UK has changed since WWII and is now characterised by a combination of various cultures and communities. Relevant to the essay question, the article discusses the historical and cultural aspects of decolonisation, “British identity,” and immigration (p. 5). However, to expand the question, the authors also consider political aspects of multiculturalism. For example, the article mentions the recognition of the need to assimilate British values and traditions for immigrants and ethnic minorities. Overall, the article provides an insight into cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity in the UK after WWII.
Bertossi, C., Duyvendak, J. W., and Foner, N. (2020) ‘Past in the present: migration and the uses of history in the contemporary era’, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 47(18), pp. 4155-4171, Web.
Coming from different backgrounds, Bertossi, Duyvendak, and Foner discuss how certain features of the past affect modern debates of migration in several areas. For instance, the article suggests that specific interpretation of the past affects the immigrant-friendly public culture. The authors address the connection between memory, history, and migration with a focus on positive perceptions of immigration. In relation to the essay question, the article states that the concepts of race and ethnicity are produced in connection to memory and history. While the authors mention such connections in the UK, they also include research conducted in several European countries and the US. The article examines history and migration with regard to ethnicity and race, presenting an opportunity to make comparisons between different countries.
Bulmer, M., and Solomos, J. (2018) ‘Why do we still talk about race today’, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 41(6), pp. 997-1013, Web.
In their article, Bulmer and Solomos analyse the importance of race and its impact on society. With regard to the essay question, the article discusses the historical process of studying race as a social category since the 1950s. In the UK, in particular, the authors mention the first crucial survey of race and its results. Furthermore, outside the perspectives of the UK, the article raises the questions of collective social identity in relation to race and ethnicity. The authors suggest that while identity is a feature of one’s personality, it also characterizes one’s social relationships with others. Overall, Bulmer and Solomos have combined several pieces of research, providing insight into modern discussions about race, society, and history.
Frieman, C. J., and Hofmann, D. (2019) ‘Present pasts in the archaeology of genetics, identity, and migration in Europe: a critical essay’, World Archaeology, 51(4), pp. 528-545, Web.
Unlike other articles mentioned in this bibliography, this one focuses on the impact of aDNA analyses on discussions of migration and identity in Europe. For instance, Frieman and Hofmann suggest that the remains of a person found in a cave in Britain’s southwest can raise questions about race and geography. The article implies that genetic research assists in making connections between cultures, such as migration resulting in certain populations bringing innovation to other areas. In relation to the essay, the article describes certain aspects of the indigeneity of British people. While most of this bibliography’s articles provide the basis for discussion of ethnicity and race since after WWII, this study presents genetic research on the spread of cultures.
Kamasak, R. et al. (2019) ‘Race discrimination at work in the United Kingdom’, International Perspectives on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 6, pp. 107-127, Web.
When discussing ethnicity and race, one should analyse the state of discrimination. The article examines race discrimination at the workplace in the UK, focusing on Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME). Related to the essay question, Kamasak et al. analyse historical processes of colonialism in the UK. The article states that despite the UK being a multicultural country these days, its historical legacy still affects society. Furthermore, the authors analyse public debates on ethnic diversity and equality. The article also mentions race riots in UK history and their legislative outcomes. While the article focuses on race discrimination at work, it provides more information on the history and public debates on race and ethnicity.
Platt, L., and Nandi, A. (2018) ‘Ethnic diversity in the UK: new opportunities and changing constraints’, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46(5), pp. 839-856, Web.
The article combines discussion on ethnic minorities in the UK as a country with diverse groups of immigrants. In this bibliography, most of the articles focus on historical processes behind ethnicity and race, but this one provides more information on their current state with regard to culture and identity. For example, Platt and Nandi mention the changes in ethnic minorities as a result of time spent in the UK, such as their educational and occupational profiles. Furthermore, those changes, along with multiculturalism, also affect ethnic majorities. The article shows the outcomes of historical processes on representatives of different cultures.
Schaffer, G., and Nasar, S. (2018) ‘The white essential subject: race, ethnicity, and the Irish in post-war Britain’, Contemporary British History, 32(2), pp. 209-230, Web.
Some of the mentioned above articles analyse ethnicity and race, centering on Black and Asian cultures after WWII. However, when discussing such questions in the UK, one should consider the Irish population, who were the largest group to enter post-war Britain. Schaffer and Nasar discuss historical processes in relation to Irish immigrants, race, ethnicity, and identity. The article examines the concept of “whiteness” and the biases related to it. Furthermore, the authors compare how the government used to treat Irish, Black, and Asian immigrants, such as encouraging them not to follow their past traditions. The article presents more insight into various cultures and the development of discrimination in the UK.