The Impact of Immigration on UK Culture
British citizens and those from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have a shared language, religious background, and fundamental understanding of Western society; nevertheless, those from Asia may find fewer points of connection with the country.
Ireland, India, and Pakistan were the top three countries of origin for new arrivals prior to 2005, while South Africa, Italy, and Kenya accounted for the fewest. With the addition of several new European countries to the European Union in the past few years, this picture has drastically shifted (European Union).
Now, the Polish make up the largest immigration group. This will shift after Brexit is finalized. Despite popular opinion to the contrary, the share of non-English-speaking immigrants is actually quite minimal.
How Did Immigration Affect Music In The UK?
Ethnic minorities’ contributions to Britain’s cultural development cannot be overstated. Migrant populations make a “significant contribution to British life in commerce, medicine, research, the arts, academics, politics, and sports,” according to the Minority Rights Group.
Musical culture in Britain was profoundly altered by the advent of the Empire Windrush.
The music of the Caribbean had long before combined elements from several continents. At a time when London was dominated by swing and dance bands, the arrival of Caribbean performers and music fans produced an explosion of jazz, blues, gospel, Latin, and Calypso.
Different genres of music have blended into one another over time. Drum, Bass, and Dubstep developed from a fusion of Jamaican reggae and British club music. New musical styles such as Garage, Jungle, and Grime can trace their roots in Jamaica. The offspring of the Windrush generation make up a sizable portion of today’s grime and garage scenes.
The Influence Of Immigration On Cuisine
The cuisines of migrants have been adapted and welcomed in this country, from chicken masala to doner kebabs and to spaghetti bolognese, baguettes, bagels, and pierogi. Some examples of ethnic food establishments that have opened in recent years in places with no historically significant minority populations include North African and Eastern European pastries and cafes, as well as Italian and Bengali takeout joints.
Immigrant’s Contribution to Arts and Amusement
The 2014 Best Picture Oscar went to “12 Years a Slave,” directed by Steve McQueen, a black British artist, and filmmaker. Anish Kapoor, a British Indian sculptor, created the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, a landmark monument in London’s Olympic Park in 2012.
The Great British Bake-Off was the most popular television show in the United Kingdom in 2015, and it was won by British Muslim Bangladeshi Nadiya Hussain, who adorned a traditional English lemon drizzle cake with a sari. The cultural variety of Britain is reflected in these three instances of folks we see representing the country.
