CLAIMS THAT British Asian communities ‘won’t mix’ have been rubbished by one of the biggest ever surveys into ethnic minority housing. Researchers in Leeds and Bradford studied Asian housing patterns. The findings showed that politicians’ and media claims that Asian and Muslim people did not want to mix were ‘myth making’.
The study found a strong wish, especially among younger Asians, to ‘join in’ with other groups. In so far as people were pushed to live in mainly Asian areas, the study found that racism was a key factor. ‘Segregated living patterns are not necessarily a matter of choice,’ said Dr Deborah Phillips, who headed the research work.
‘Our findings show the effect of estate agents treating Asians unfairly, and worries on the part of the Asian population about isolation if they move.’
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