"Its difficult to see how people from different histories can trust each other without considerable effort being put in to build a common identity." (Billie)

Agree with this part totally. My take is that as soon as attempts to do this are made - in short - assimilation - that is labelled 'racist'.

Although the author points out the problems America faces, it is intersting that immigrants generally feel greater loyalties to America (where greater efforts at assimilation are made) than immigrants in European countries feel there - many polled in Britain don't feel this attachment at all.

People also happily comply with the rules when they are black & white & inflexible. No one questions the (even often unequal) rules in Arabia (where I have lived), China, Japan, Singapore, because everyone knows it's set in stone and they just get on and do what needs to be done. There is also a respect for local customs, no matter how odd they are (eg public beheadings in Saudi Arabia - people don't bat an eye-lid anymore - 'oh that's the way things are done round here' with a wry smile).

But when you tell people systems are flexible & negotiable, depending on how loud your pressure group, this breeds uncertainty & lowers trust. Groups become more bolshy, more hunkered down, & 'we know our rights' (but not our responsibilities) attitude. Ask any teacher how to run a classroom & they will tell you democracy breeds uncertainty breeds chaos. When rules are inflexible, non-negotiable, but fair, & the emphasis is not on individual rights, not on group rights, but the rights of the class, things run a LOT more smoothly. It's a happy & productive class.

Continual talk of racism makes people think & feel more racist. As long as we have equal rights (& yes in Australia we are far ahead of most other countries - are some people getting that? - you're right Boazy, some need to travel, not as a tourist, but foreign worker), halas - just get on with your daily business.