Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

In the light of the last four chapters the falsity of many white stereotypes of South Asians, commonly grouped ignorantly under the single label ‘Pakis’, is evident. Similarly, the chapter on African diaspora religion dispels many stereotypes of the black African (or Afro-Caribbean) communities.The first obvious feature is the high level of education characteristic of the South Asian communities in Australia, Canada and the US. In Britain many of the earliest migrants were uneducated manual workers, but the second and third generations are pursuing further education with vigour. Indeed, a higher proportion of South Asians and black Africans than of whites are staying on beyond the legal school leaving age [20]. In the US there is a high proportion of scientists. Throughout the diaspora the South Asian populations are generally climbing the social ladder to significant levels of professional responsibility. However, there remain, especially in Britain, high levels of unemployment, unnaturally high given the educational levels. The only obvious explanation can be prejudice on the part of the white majority.Another false stereotype is the image of South Asians ‘swamping’ the white population. The numbers of South Asians are highest in Britain, the smallest of the four countries studied. But even here, although the numbers are significant, South Asians remain a small proportion of the ... log in or subscribe to read full text