All my life, Britain has been home to people of a variety of faiths and cultures. But only now is this becoming a serious problem. Why?
I think a crucial point is that firstly, immigration during the 20th Century was kept at a level where it could be well managed and administered.
Secondly, we had a firm basis of British (English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish) Culture. We had a strong sense of National Identity.
We could embrace other faiths and cultures being practiced amongst us, because our own Christianity based roots were deep and strong.
Even though not everyone was a practicing Christian. The Wheel of The National Year went through National Observances and celebrations linked to Christian religious holidays.
Having grown up with all that, the fact that it's being now eroded away (and deliberately so) is painfully obvious.
An important point. The Sikh 'Kirpan' isn't worn for the purposes of being used as a weapon.
And I think the gentleman does point out that it wasn't actually the kirpan that was used to kill Henry Novak, there was another blade.
So I'd imagine that it's a point of honour for our Sikh neighbours that it be shown that they can wear this religious symbol, without posing any danger to those around them.
I don't deny that the question over whether one group should be allowed to wear something that 'can' be used as a weapon, even if it's not intended to be, is going to be a heated one.
But I do feel for our Sikh Community. Many of them have been here in the UK for decades, many have served in our Armed Forces. And prior to the Henry Novak case, I can't recall hearing of a violent crime being committed by any British Sikh.
I can't say I'm surprised that The Community were warning about this dangerous young man in their midst.
But one can guess that The Police were reluctant to do anything, to avoid accusations of racism.
We have a country to save https://youtu.be/slX222lYUy8 ALSO - You CAN criticise. You should hold power to account. That’s the beauty of livi
Born in Nigeria and now living in Britain. Ada Akapala has worked on BBC Radio 4.
She's part of The Equiano Project
The Equiano Project is a debate, discussion and ideas forum. We focus on issues on race, culture and politics.
And can be found here too.
Free Speech Thought Discussion My name is Ada Akpala. I'm a writer and commentator on sociocultural issues. I am just here to explore the bi
She's one of a number of Black Britons who whole heartedly support the country they adopted as home.
Ask me if I'm pro immigration, and I'll happily say that I'm pro people like this coming to join our nation.
Because if you're going to travel thousands of miles to a new home, then surely it should be a place that you love, whose Values and Culture you believe in and whose laws you respect.
Or one has to question your purpose in being here.
A Kenyan British lady and her Nigerian British husband. They give a beautiful description of why they want to preserve the Britain that they traveled to become a part of.
You can come here and practice any religion. We have a stated value of mutually respecting different faith, cultures etc.
But notice this is 'Mutual' respect, that goes both way.
If there are people who refuse to render you respect for respect, then most of us will be on your side.
All that we ask is that people come here free to practice their own faiths, but whilst respecting the Christian foundation on which our country has been built.
Bring and practice your culture, along with your religion. As long as it doesn't violate any of our laws, we're fine with it.
All we ask for is to respect our native culture. And yes, we do have a culture
. We have foods and drinks that have a British (English, Welsh, Scots, N irish character) Try them out. They may not be spicy. But they do have their own tastiness.
We have loads of music, stretching back through centuries by home grown composers and performers.
Books, plays poetry - You've heard of Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Keats? All British, and there are plenty more.
Folklore and fairy tales - We have four different countries, with their own myths, legends, folklore and fairy tales.
I highly recommend them all.
We love a celebration as much as anyone. Look at how we celebrate Christmas. Think of December as a month long festival of light, music, stories, food, drink and lots of good will. Check out The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge. You can get it on BBC Radio 4 from Christmas Eve onward.
Easter - Parts of the country have their own customs from the beginning of Lent onwards.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races, Egg Rolling
As we know, Britain is a land of tradition, and Easter is a chance for some of the oldest (and quirky!) traditions in the country to be obse
Not sure why Maypole's are here in the Easter section. It's more usually at the beginning of May, the Pagan festival of Beltane, heralding the early days of Summer.
Morris dancing seems rather silly. But it's fun and began as a Spring fertility dance.
As a British citizen, I would love to share with you some of the British culture, customs and traditions that vary from the weird to the won
The tradition of well dressing with flowers in Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Staffordshire
Folklore destinations throughout the UK, where traditional and cultural events and ceremonies take place
Cornwall - Some Cornish people want to be separate from England, some don't. But they're still British, either way
A Brief History Padstow celebrates Mayday in a unique way, and the custom that has been carried out by Padstonians over centuries has not be
The Countryside - It's not racist. If you live here, it's yours to love and take care of too.
Go and visit, no one's going to stop you. See this gorgeous landscape that we need to take care of and protect.
Our History. - It's there for us to learn from, not to judge.
Some terrible things were done in our past.This is true
So, we find ways to not let it happen again. Most British people are fine with that.
Guess what. All but the tiny but worst percentage of people think this slavery is disgusting.
We don't want to fall into that trap again, so yes, let's keep learning about it.
But also we should learn the full history of slavery thousands, and I do mean many thousands of years ago. Jewish slaves taken to Babylon.
And the worst part? That history isn't over, how about we make up for our part in slavery in the past, by fighting slavery going on right now.
British Empire - Yes, it had some advantages. But that came at the price of a country not being allowed the freedom to rule itself, and that sucks.
So, I think most Brits are happy that it ended. The Commonwealth is a group of independent, self governing nations, that chose to keep the British Monarch as Head of State.
Are there improvements that can be made? I'm sure there are plenty. Let's work on that, rather than focusing on the problems of the past. We can make the present and future better. But the past is what it was.
British Heroes - Were these people paragons of virtue? Err No! They were people, imperfect just like us.
But we celebrate them today, because they did something extra special that helped our country.
Try learning about them. Yes, the bad as well as the good. But remember that it's not the bad that we celebrate them for, so why would we be ashamed of what made them human?
Look at what they did, and even if you can't celebrate them too. You'll at least see why many of us do.
A great speech dear Madam and Sir.
I'm delighted to call you and your children my compatriots.
