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Students look at ways of tackling racism.

Ways of tackling racism

Icebreaker

FA’S FURY AT SPAIN’S RACIST FANS Click here to read the story

Read out this story about racism in football.

Ask students:

If racism is proved, what do you think the punishment should be? The Spanish FA could face a huge fine or Spain could even be handed a five-match ban. Some people say Spain should be forced to play its world cup qualifier games in empty stadiums.

Main activity

Students act as ChildLine counsellors.

In 2000/2001 ChildLine received 525 calls and letters from children about racist bullying, and a further 47 calls and letters from children who had encountered other forms of racism.

Using the printable worksheet, students read about some of them:

CHILDLINE CASE STUDIES Click here for the printable worksheet

1. Sharon, 16, is dating a Pakistani boy. Her parents are racist, so she has to keep her relationship a secret, which is making her feel anxious.

2. Sandra, 11, is called racist names as she is black. She is scared to tell her teacher, in case the bullying gets worse.

3. Ravinder, 15, is being beaten up by a group of boys at school, because he is Asian.

4. Alice, 9, is being bullied at school, as she is the only white girl in her class.

5. Clive, 13, has just moved to Scotland from England. A gang of Scottish boys at school calls him names.

6. Sunitta, 14, is being called racist names at school. Racist comments are also written about her on the wall of the toilets. Her teacher hasn’t done anything about it.

7. Dina, 12, is teased because she is Italian. She has to have extra lessons for her English reading and writing. She feels nervous about going to school.

Students imagine they are a ChildLine counsellor. What advice would they give these seven children?

They write down one suggestion they would give each child.

Then compare it with their partner’s or other people’s advice on their table.

Students select the best piece of advice to give to each child.

Pupils could also compare their group’s advice to some suggestions made by ChildLine - see Teachers’ Background below.

Extension activity

GUIDE TO RACISM Click here for our guide

Racists bully people who are different to them.

Make a list of as many forms of ethnic dating as you can think of.

Here’s a few to start off with:

The controversial Act enables the home secretary to impose “control orders” on suspected terrorists, requiring them to remain in their homes, wear tags and not communicate with other suspects.

The Bill provoked a number of rebellions among MPs and peers and the deadlock ended when the prime agreed to review the law in one year.

How should terrorism be tackled? Should the prevention of terrorism be higher on the electoral agenda? What do you think of the parties’ policies on terror and security?

This debate is now closed for polling day. Thank you for your comments.

BBC NEWS: VIDEO AND AUDIO Your anti-terror questions answered

Hazel Blears from Labour, the Conservative’s Andrew Mitchell, and Lord McNally for the Lib Dems answered your questions on anti-terrorism measures. Click on the link to watch the debate.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

Allowing detention without trial, such as house arrest, is wrong Emma, Peterborough, UK

Allowing detention without trial, such as house arrest, is wrong. Everyone has a right to clear their name in court, however heinous the crime they are accused of, and nothing can justify taking that right away. If these people are guilty and there is evidence, they will be found guilty, if not, then they shouldn’t be locked up as if they are.
Emma, Peterborough, UK

Politicians are the biggest targets for any terrorist threat facing this country. If the population of the UK were asked would you like to spend 1bn of public money to protect them while they change laws dating back to 1215 I think the answer would be No!
Jonathan Ritson, Leeds, UK

I’m all for the anti-terror laws. They don’t go far enough in my opinion. If you’ve nothing to hide you’ve nothing to worry about. Its all because of the do-gooding bleeding hearts allowing foreign terrorists in the form of ‘asylum seekers’ into the country.
K T Bell, Bradford, West Yorkshire

We should be dealing with the causes of terrorism Chris, Romsey, UK

We should be dealing with the causes of terrorism, such as the gap between rich and poor nations, the Western oppression of the global markets and our ethnic dating site racism, rather than converting democracies into effectively tyrannies. The anti-terror laws have given our government all the powers they need to start new terrorist groups here, and lead many dis-satisfied citizens into existing terrorist groups. We are playing into their hands. Why?
Chris, Romsey, UK

My history book says that within the Magna Carta (signed 790 years ago!), it states that all free men have a right to a free trial… and a council of 25 barons would imprison that anyone who tries to change it. Where are the barons and why is Tony Blair free?
Jonathan Ritson, Leeds, UK

There has to be protection against criminals, that is what the law is about, after all and I believe that prevention is better than cure. If we were to impose control orders to ensure public safety from terror suspects then that has to be right. Some people will complain but the main issue is to protect our country from the despicable sociopaths who plan to commit terror crimes. I think that if you are found in possession of bomb making equipment, guns or substances that are fatal to health then these people should accept what comes their way.
Jayne, Stevenage

Britain faces ideological extremists ruthlessly dedicated to achieving acts of spectacular and lethal violence against those who either actively or merely passively, oppose their actions for political change in the world. If indeed you believe that the war in Iraq has further increased such risks, then some degree of encroachment on personal liberties must be responsibly demanded.
John Maclean, London

They represent the interests of the few at the expense of the many Mark Malik, Warsaw, Poland

When the IRA was bombing mainland Britain, they were more of a threat to life and limb, and the economic interests. Yet the laws passed were proportionate, and politicians negotiated with the terrorists. The government is prepared to run a coach and horses through the centuries old laws that have been won by the sacrifice of many. This logic has only one answer. They represent the interests of the few at the expense of the many.
Mark Malik, Warsaw, Poland

Mark Malik, Warsaw: When the IRA was bombing mainland Britain we had detention without trial, the Guilford Four and the Birmingham Six ethnic dating of justice. And we had the SAS carrying out virtual executions both in Ireland and abroad (like Gibraltar). If anything, I feel the response to Islamic terror is too modest and is hamstrung by liberal-fascism and the Human Rights Act.
Peter, Nottingham

With identity cards and imprisonment without trial and 24 hour CCTV, Blair is determined to turn this once great democracy into a European Zimbabwe style police state. We no longer have any freedoms or privacy. It’s about time this country wakes up to what this government is doing in the name of protecting our freedom before it is too late, we may not get another chance.
Anthony, Devon

I agree with most the anti-terror laws; however it should be High Judges, not politicians who should be allowed to use them to avoid misuse. Ironic how despite ridiculing the Thatcher administration for years, Tony Blair has become one of the most Draconian leaders since Oliver Cromwell.
Gil Eliav, Leeds

These laws undermine our legal, political and ethical systems Colin Wright, UK

For me it’s the key issue that prevents me even considering a vote for Labour. These laws undermine our legal, political and ethical systems. We now have all the instruments of a police state in place in the UK. I recognise the need to defend our society, but you don’t do that by undermining its foundations.
Colin Wright, UK

The government has let in thousands of potential terrorists as asylum seekers who are wanted in their countries for various offences. We can’t send them back because of human rights or they’d face death. Current terror laws can only be described closing the stable doors after the horse has bolted. You can bet your boots that these terror laws will cost a great deal, take a long time and achieve nothing! Typical Labour really, remember the hunting ban farce?
James, SE Cornwall, UK

“They that could give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety” - Benjamin Franklin. If we are prepared to jettison one of our most fundamental liberties so easily, God help us all if the terrorists actually attack Britain. Wake up people! We have a government prepared to use every trick at its disposal to legislate for imprisonment without trial and house arrest.
Mike Christie, Bacup, Lancs

All those that rebel about strong anti-terror laws will be the first to shout: “what is the Government doing?” if a serious terrorist attack was successful. If you have no guilty secrets why shouldn’t you accept ID Cards, imprisonment without trial and all the rest of the measures being put in place? Stop complaining, the Government is only thinking of your safety.
John L Cooper, Great Yarmouth

If there is a threat so serious that we have to throw away the most basic human rights, how come the number of police hasn’t been doubled? I cannot believe that whilst millions died for our freedom, we’re so cowardly we give them up because we are “scared”.
Jonathan Kelk, Dalry, Scotland

I would like some assurance that the Anti Terror legislation will not be used against those who wish to protest against government action, as is the citizen’s democratic right. There is a distinct right wing trend here and in the US Patriot Act.
Elizabeth, Stockport, UK

Terrorism is a priority, but it needs to be dealt with sensitively and wisely Maria Daniel, Birmingham

Terrorism is a priority, but it needs to be dealt with sensitively and wisely. Firstly there should be less provocation - we should understand that a wise solution requires an understanding of causes. The Government should approach ethnic groups and work with them with respect of their culture and religion. The war in Iraq has increased the risk of terrorism, not lessened it. We should actively remind the world that we are a democratic country strong in human rights and not an imperialist empire. Now measures such as “control orders” appear to me to be desperate measures; I wonder how many terrorists may be lurking about unsuspected. What are we going to do about them?
Maria Daniel, Birmingham

Terrorism is real and we must be alert to defend the UK. However if such a defence is to rapidly remove the very fabric of our freedom and liberty then the terrorists are halfway to their targets. I urge readers to check up on the Patriot Act in the USA to see how citizens there in the “Land of the Free” have had their liberties damaged by such measures and what could happen here.
Jim Kirk, Basildon

The “presumed innocent” concept and segregation of power in democracy has been around since the start of democracy in ancient Greece. It has been a value that has survived for 2,500 years throughout a history of wars, barbaric raids, famines, drought and world wars. Now because Bush has started his “war on terror” they are trying to convince them that they are not that important. How can we claim to be fighting for democracy in the Middle East when we accept a “lesser” democracy at home?
Augerinos J, Greece

My only concern is now Tony Blair will scrap the democratic House of Lords because it has the affront to say no to him. I think this may be the start of the end of democracy in the UK. This must be taken into account at the next election, where the Labour party must not be given a third term as it could last 100 years after they change all the rules to allow them to stay in power.
Thomas D Jago, Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Charles Clarke argues that the House of Lords is being “unconstitutional” in its defiance over the Prevention of Terror Bill. On the contrary, it is being more constitutional than the Labour government are in the Commons because the Lords are taking time to consider this bill and thusly represent the people in Britain much more effectively.
Will, Britain

Supporters of this piece of draconian legislation ought to ask themselves a simple question. What will be the government’s response to a terrorist incident? The only response I can think of is to introduce even more draconian legislation. I can almost hear Charles Clarke speaking about ‘measured and proportionate action’ as he presents his bill for ethnic dating tagging the population to Parliament.

Colin Simpson, Workington Cumbria

The terrorist threat does exist, but it was created by the actions and policies of current and previous Western (particularly UK and US) governments, who trained many of these terrorist groups. The threat is now greatly exaggerated to frighten the public into accepting draconian legislation and the loss of civil liberties.

Gareth Millsted, London, UK

Having always lived in Hillingdon borough, and with her 82-year-old mother living across the road, the prospect of moving is unbearable.

“It’s a very demoralising situation to think a community is going to be wiped off the map.”

Mrs McCutcheon, 60, and her husband do not want to move but she wonders who would want to buy their house, despite BAA offering transferable bonds guaranteeing its value at 2002 prices.

However vociferous their campaign, not everyone shares their views.

Labour peer Lord Soley, of Future Heathrow, which campaigns for the airport’s development, fears if the airport does not expand it will lose out to its European ethnic dating site, having already been overtaken by Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Paris.

“The threat to Heathrow is real, not imagined,” he says.

If it is not a hub airport this would have serious long-term consequences for Britain and ethnic dating the Heathrow region, with 70,000 people working at the airport and an estimated 100,000 other jobs indirectly dependent on the airport.

The former west London MP said: “I have always lived under the flight path. If you asked me if I wanted it for my personal life I would say no, close it down tomorrow morning.

He believes compensation should be fair but believes the case for a third runway is strong, warning of “dire consequences” if it does not go ahead.

He cited the example of the East End docks, thriving in the 1960s, yet closed down by the 1980s.

“Heathrow is already losing out in this race to be the premier airport,” he says.

Areas ‘cgi dating online script service‘

Hillingdon council has long opposed the third runway on environmental grounds.

Deputy leader David Simmonds says: “If you look at European rules of what air quality is required in residential areas a large part of the south of the borough would be uninhabitable.”

He is not convinced projected figures for increased air travel will materialise.

Last year the airport handled nearly 68 million passengers and with three runways it could handle 116 million passengers by 2030, according to Department of Transport figures.

Sipson has co-existed with the airport for more than 60 years

“It is not as if Heathrow is going to disappear,” he says.

John Stewart, of the Heathrow residents group Hacan Clear Skies, says: “One old lady said to me she would be close enough to give the pilots breakfast when they land.

“There should be a clear decision that enough is enough at Heathrow.”

The prospect of another runway was raised again in Gordon Brown’s pre-Budget Report last year which stressed Heathrow’s “unique role in supporting economic growth across the country”.

This summer, BAA is due to publish another version of its master plan about possible future development.

And by the end of the year the government is to give a progress report on the White Paper, which supported a third runway if strict environmental conditions could be met.

“There will only be a third runway if environmental problems are solved, chiefly air quality,” says David Stewart, Department of Transport spokesman.

BAA says it will await the outcome of the government adult compare dating online site on the white paper.

“Economically a third runway is desirable but we have to recognise the huge environmental impact,” says a BAA spokeswoman.

Mr Stewart, of Hacan, said: “Many have given their lives to the airport, believe in the airport but now in their retirement find the airport want to take their communities, their homes and their links with their families and friends.”

Return to the top

But Catalonia has recently gained more autonomy and nationalists are worried that immigrants will dilute their ethnic dating identity.

For Crossing Continents, Marian Hens reported on the struggle the newcomers are facing as they try to settle into their new home.

We asked you if enough was being done to welcome and integrate the new arrivals and if there was more the immigrants could do to make their new lives more successful.

If you want to start a life somewhere, to settle, make friends, work, earn money, be loved… the first thing to do is to speak their language. It’s not a matter of nationalism. It’s a matter of common sense. Among the comments here, those that had problems settling in Catalonia are those who didn’t realise the basic rule. How do you want to find a job in London if you don’t speak English?
Galderic, Barcelona

I moved to Barcelona from Venezuela about nine years ago and lived there for about four years. I never felt discriminated against due to the language and the Catalan integration course was fantastic. After three months I had learnt most of the spoken language and some people didn’t even notice I was foreign after four months. A Dutch girl in my course learned also learned it in three months. Not learning Catalan is not an excuse - most of the courses are free, the more languages you learn the more beneficial it becomes for your culture and intelect. No excuses!
Andrea, Manchester

As an American who used to live in London and Barcelona I can assure you that my experiences in assimilating were much more difficult in England (and I’m a native English speaker). Catalans have been defending their society longer than anyone and are more adapt at handling change. One million new people in six years is a lot to handle for any country. Catalonia is a nation without a state, a concept which is often too difficult for many to understand. If Catalonia where indeed a state, this argrument would not exist. We all have the right to protect our language and culture, end of story.
Charles, Los Angeles

Established communities always worry about their ethnic identities, cultures, languages and economic well-being when immigrants enter in large numbers. The trick is for them to learn how to assimilate these newcomers into those norms without becoming xenophobic or racist about it. Can the Catalan province rise to this challenge?
Walter, Miami, Florida

I think they are discriminating against the Spanish language in Catalonia. In my opinion both languages are official, so you can’t force anyone to use one of them.
Aurelio de la Puerta, Seville, Spain

Catalan language and identity under threat? I can’t believe some people are actually comparing this to what English or British say about their countries. It’s not true. Identities are never a static matter, let alone language. All who says the opposite does not know what s/he is talking about and wants to create a bad debate environment.
Montse, London

I am an Andalusian immigrant in Barcelona and I have to say that at the moment my experience here hasn’t been good at all. They are very narrow-minded people and if you are walking down the street and ask someone something in Spanish I can bet you that 90% of the times they will answer you in Catalan, which I found very annoying because I have been living here a short time and I don’t have a great knowledge of the language.
Jose, Barcelona

There is still prejudice against people who don’t speak Catalan Francisco J, Grenada, Spain

I think Catalan politicians don’t believe in open societies. Most people can speak Spanish and Catalan, both languages are used daily, but there is still prejudice against people who don’t speak Catalan, as if they were a threat to the Catalan identity. But nationalism is still a powerful way to attract voters. Nevertheless, Catalonia has now an Andalusian-born president, Mr Jose Montilla, who receives lessons of Catalan. Spanish contradictions!
Francisco J, Grenada, Spain

Is it that strange not to get a public job for not speaking Catalan in Catalonia? Try to get a public job in any other country without knowing the local language. Why should any country have to justify the use of their own language?
Christina Carol Sharp, Barcelona

I am Catalan, and I can promise you, that Catalan is not going to disappear. All the time politicians are trying to increase measures to protect it and our traditions. That’s why we want immigrants to learn Catalan, it’s not only for communication, it’s to avoid feeling completely invaded by strangers that don’t know anything about us and don’t try to learn and preserve it.
Geezs, Barcelona

I visited the Balearics a few years ago, armed with some phrase-tape Spanish/Castilian, but found my stumbling attempts to communicate treated with disdain. It didn’t take long to work out the problem: I was simply using the wrong language. Now I can muddle through quite happily in Catalan/Mallorquin but often come across immigrants whose attitude is that they are in Spain and therefore need speak only Spanish. I find it frustrating and an insult to the rich culture of the islands - and I’m only a tourist.
Rosslyn, Lancashire

Catalonia shouldn’t expect immigrants to speak fluent Catalan and follow the Catalonian traditions as if they were natives. But immigrants should at least speak Spanish when they come to Spain, or English when they go to the UK, mostly for their own benefit! That’ll help them integrate and reach the desirable “melting point” in which people live together, mix in the same districts, but keep their own traditions.
Marco, Madrid

The end of positive immigration is over and the new dangerous era has started Zoran Popovic, NY, US

It is so insulting for a host country to have a group of immigrants from a different culture form their own isolated haven, refuse to integrate and then rebel. Immigrants today are very arrogant. People love to twist what democracy and open societies represent. As a foreigner, one has to respect the host country and try to integrate as much as possible. The end of positive immigration is over and the new dangerous era has started. I am an immigrant and I don’t go around New York and ask for bagels in Serbian! The least I can do is talk English.
Zoran Popovic, NY, US

I think next time you should send Marian to investigate what a tough time immigrants are having in Denmark having to learn a language spoken only by 5.5 million people. I can’t understand how the BBC is paying someone to give such a partial view on this matter. Catalonia is a country in every sense of the word, except that we are not legally recognised at an international level. We should not have to constantly justify our policies to such prejudiced attacks, particularly relating to speaking our language in our country.

Pau Montagut, Manchester

I lived on Majorca for several years until I sold my apartment in July this year and frankly I was more than glad to leave. Catalan was compulsory in all state schools, Catalan history was promoted in schools - and when my son questioned certain facts was called a foreign trouble-maker. All official documents were written in Catalan first and Spanish second if at all. Cafes, bars and restaurants had the menu in Catalan. And it’s an island that receives a great deal of its income from tourism. Catalans, in my experience, have a big chip on their shoulder, blame everything on Franco and need to get over it. I found them the cold, unfriendly and the most nationalist people I have ever met.
Sean Dobson, Radcliffe, Lancashire

I feel compelled to reply to Sean Dobson - of course menus are written in Catalan in Mallorca, because that is the native language! I struggle to understand why people refuse to accept that the people of Catalan countries speak a different language to Spain. Does Sean propose that Catalan be banned, to make life easier for tourists? His flippant reference to Franco shows a lack of understanding of what it is to experience an attempt to have your culture exterminated, and to suffer constant criticism and belittling when you attempt to rebuild it. That is something that most English-speaking cultures have not experienced in recent times, and this I think is the root of misunderstandings in this debate.

Lauren, Cheshire

I am English and before I departed to live in Catalonia, I could already speak fluent Spanish. Nevertheless, studying Catalan was a crucial element to settling down and integrating in Barcelona. I think we can all learn from the support structures in place in Catalonia to help foreigners. I find that when I begin to struggle in Catalan, people naturally switched to speak to me in Spanish and I have only ever seen reluctance to speak Spanish in the face of hostility to the Catalan language. In many cities in the world immigration has brought many problems as well as benefits and Barcelona is no exception but can we really claim to put as much effort into helping immigrants learn English and integrate into our society here in England?
Janet, London

I don’t think immigrants are a threat to the Catalan identity. Remember, not only Spain but also Europe was founded by different groups of civilisations. Different cultures enrich all aspects of a nation. All sides must have respect for each other to grow.
Diana, Florida, US

Immigrants have been excluded in Quebec like no other place in Canada Robert Racco, Toronto

As a Canadian, this story is all too familiar. We have had to deal with this sort of petty nationalism for nearly two centuries. Quebeckers have used strikingly similar arguments to justify their cultural preservation tactics. Immigrants have been excluded in Quebec like no other place in Canada for decades as their paranoid nationalist leaders and supporters have cleverly crafted various legislation that discriminates against both English speakers and newcomers. The Catalans will ultimately suffer if they too opt to implement similar legislation to protect their sacred and pure culture. Quebec has lagged far behind economically from the rest of Canada as a result of these discriminatory policies.
Robert Racco, Toronto

To Robert Racco: I disagree with what you say about immigration in Quebec. It is classic propaganda of the Anglo-Saxon Canadian majority about the French speaking people of Quebec. first, I have to say that our province is not filled with racist people dreaming for a fascist, independent state. Quebec is multicultural like the rest of Canada (I’m mixed race). I think the Catalans (and any other country or region) can accept immigrants without the fear of losing their national identity. Quebec is not the poorest province in Canada and think about the tens of thousands of French speaking immigrants from Africa, Europe, Vietnam and Lebanon living in Quebec that you seem to forget because they spoke to us before you.
Yannick, Montreal, Canada

I feel compelled to answer to Robert Racco’s statement. What he has said is quite false. Yes, Quebec has some immigration policies of its own in addition to Canada’s, but there is nothing in the policy that you must be a French speaker. Many immigrants coming to Quebec don’t really speak a word of French once arrived. Quebec is a multicultural society that respects the rights of the minorities, even the anglophones! I’m an anglophone immigrant from the US and I have no problem dealing with the government, even in English if I want to test them. But I do recognize that French is the main language, so I put every effort in to learn it in order to be part of the society. I highly disagree that Quebec is disadvantaged economically. Quebec’s economy is the second largest in Canada after Ontario and it plays a strong role in a North American economy. Catalonia has every
right to promote and protect the status of Catalan as the main language of the nation.
Jack, Montreal, Canada

Any reason seems to be valid in order to justify the use of Catalan as a language. It has always seemed to me that those so-called languages should be maintained for folklore. Who cares if there is one or six million speakers, Europe is trying to minimise, while Catalans and Basques want to be independent. I wonder from who or what. Besides what have those particular cultures given to the world?
Shmuel Andrade, Israel

In reply to Shmuel Andrade from Israel who said: “Catalans and Basques want to be independent. I wonder from who or what.” We want to be independent from the Spanish state, that is, to have our own state with representatives in the EU and the UN, to be able to compete in the Olympic Games, and not having to justify what language our children are taught in schools, to give you a few examples. “What have those particular cultures given to the world?” Many things that obviously you have never bothered to find out. Are you implying the world should get rid of “useless” cultures?
Pau Montagut, Manchester

Catalan language is an important part of our identity but not the only one Jaume, Washington DC

I have not listened to the programme but as a Catalan following current affairs there I feel Mr Chaib is an example of how some people try to manipulate the migrants communities proclaiming themselves as their representatives in any kind of dialogue or interaction with society at large. An MP who is the director of an NGO, what about the independence of civil society? Your piece portrays Catalan society and politics as Spanish mainstream and right wing media do. Castillan language is not persecuted nor forbidden in Catalonia and will never be. Catalan language is an important part of our identity but not the only one. No-one is forced to renounce to their identity to be a “good Catalan”. There is no document nor physical requirement to be Catalan. If you feel like it, you are one of us and you are most welcome.
Jaume, Washington DC

The harsh reality of the matter is that from whichever country the Muslims come and in whatever state, the Spaniards have - dating back to their expulsion of the Moors - an institutionalised and deeply ingrained dislike and distrust of them. I am not a Muslim myself, and yet even I see this and feel it on a daily basis.
Jon, Granada, Spain

Catalonia has received wave after wave of migrants, particularly from Spain, during the 50s, 60s and 70s. They have been welcomed and integrated peacefully, contributing to Catalonia’s economic and social expansion. But now, resources and social services are stretched, housing is a problem, and this is creating ghettoisation of arrivals. While Catalans are happy to welcome everyone, the fact that its population is increasing so rapidly, and that these new arrivals belong to a different religion, culture, and do not have any interest in learning the language, is a recipe for trouble. Do not blame the locals for this. Catalan language and identity is already under threat, and these developments take it to the next critical step. It is logical that Catalans become weary of this.
Roger, London

Catalonia has been built on successive waves of immigration that have successfully integrated Robert, Glasgow

I am a Catalan immigrant, but I can’t help to think that your coverage of this issue sounds very pro-Chaib (Labour MP) as if he is some kind of integration hero when he in fact is not. He wants to keep immigrants always classified as immigrants, instead of pursuing full integration as other parties are doing. There are immigrant activists in other parties yet only Mr Chaib seems to have been consulted. You seem to say immigrants are not welcome when in fact it is the complete opposite: Catalonia has been built on successive waves of immigration (as far back as the 14 Century) that have successfully integrated. My parents themselves are immigrants but I am completely bilingual and feel 100% Catalan.
Robert, Glasgow

Excellent programme. I have just returned to the UK after four years living in Barcelona and would certainly agree that immigrants have a tough time there. And I speak as a white, Spanish speaking European. Catalans are keen to maintain their heritage. All school is taught in Catalan for example.
Of course Catalonia needs immigrant workers - for jobs paying minimum wage or below, often without a legal contract. And immigrants with qualifications fare no better. Highly qualified Spanish speakers are often passed over, in favour of lower qualified Catalan speakers. When I moved to Barcelona, a neighbour said he too was an immigrant because his parents came from Seville, even though he lived his whole life in Barcelona.

Jim Chester, London

I agree with Jim Chester in London. I am a Spaniard (Basque) myself and could not get a public job in Barcelona because my mother tongue is not Catalan (although I can speak fluent French, English, Italian, Basque and, of course, Spanish as a native, and a little bit of Catalan). I felt outraged but, hey what can you expect from an ultranationalist region? In the medium to long-term Catalonia is losing out on the world and it is starting to show. As a friend of mine says, there is not room in Spain for two big cities and for years Madrid’s growth has been far bigger than Barcelona’s. And it continues dramatically.
Gorka Gortari, London

Seven million people live in Catalonia of which very few can say they are truly Catalan. Barcelona and the other bigger towns have experienced internal migration from the south and north west from the beginning of the 1900s as people have moved looking for work. This has done more to “dilute the fiercely-protected identity” than the new arrivals. Add to this the steady stream of South Americans and Catalonia has long been a melting pot and all the better for it. Like all experiences of migration there is an initial period of mistrust, resentment and prejudice but time ensures integration, acceptance and long-lasting benefits.
James, London

If someone is desperate to start a new life they should honour the country they have chosen Marjorie, London

Your story demonstrates the lack of respect immigrants have on the receiving country. If someone is desperate to start a new life they should honour the country they have chosen. It is like someone barging into your home saying they do not like your decorations or the way you live and that they want you to conform to their ways! The most important language to communicate with is the language of love. Just showing love of people by trying to pick up on some words of their language can bring a respectful bond. I have been taken into many a locals home on my travels just by showing true interest and desire to learn from my experience of travel.
Marjorie, London

I agree with the above post. When in Rome do as the Romans! I don’t know how many times people in Europe have to say that. I’m living in Japan and I live by their rules and respect their customs and rightfully so! Some of the political elite in Europe are spineless cowards who are caving into these people. It has to stop or there will be civil war the way things are going.
Jorge, Tokyo

The comments we publish are not necessarily the views of the BBC but will reflect the balance of views we have received. It is helpful if contributors state if they work for any organisation relevant to an issue discussed. Readers should form their own views on whether messages published represent undeclared interests, or views prompted by a common source.

“But the other fear is that even if we don’t lose much material we could be tied up in masses of dating ethnic site establishing where every single item is. We simply don’t have the funding for that.”

Professor Stringer added: “This is a complex issue. There are legitimate claims for repatriation. But there is a spectrum - from skeletons that can be linked to living people, to at the other extreme remains that have no kinship links with living people.

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Mr Free online adult dating says the scientific case has been largely overstated; many of the specimens have very little research value, he argues.

“There is a free online game adult dating that will satisfy all parties.

“In some cases where material has been returned, there has been agreement between the community and the institution concerned, and ethnic dating site have had to obtain the informed consent of the community before undertaking research.

“This is the way ahead but in the first instance, museums must be open and honest about what they hold in their collections and they must have curatorial polices that give Aboriginal communities the proper respect.”

But this is having a major impact on the popularity of some of the country’s more russian online dating instruments - prime among them the guqin, 3,000 years old and at the heart of China’s classical music tradition.

With only a handful of performers and teachers, the guqin - with its long resonant strings and slender wooden body - is hanging by a slender thread as it seeks to survive in a totally free online dating environment.

“When I play it I feel as though I’m trying to catch something that’s hovering elusively in the air,” Dai Xiaolian, one of the tiny number of people who still teach the instrument, told BBC World Service’s The World Today programme.

“I feel as though all the burdens of daily life are removed from me, so that’s why I particularly love this piece.”

Pop explosion

Western music is rapidly taking over in many of China’s rapidly-developing and expanding cities.

Demand for CDs is huge - so much so that some 90% of CDs are pirate copies.

From the seven strings exquisite music rises As if it were the sighing wind amid the pines This is the ancient sound that I love beyond all Yet one can scarcely find true players any more Tang dynasty poem on the guqin

Meanwhile the guqin, with a history dating back 3,000 years and intimately bound up with other art forms, is being lost to China’s past.

“Playing the guqin was one of the accomplishments which a scholar gentleman needed to have, along with playing Chinese chess and being skilled in calligraphy,” said Lin Youren, a veteran performer and teacher.

“The Chinese name guqin itself means ancient stringed instrument and evokes the country’s classical culture of understated brush painting, calligraphy and scholarly poems.”

The link to China’s cultural past has been most celebrated through poetry, often with concern for the fate of the soulful instrument.

Indeed, one poem lamenting that “one can scarcely find true players anymore” dates back over 1,000 years to the Tang dynasty.

“In the Tang dynasty the fashionable thing was ethnic music from the central Asian tribes - people didn’t want to listen to the guqin,” Lin Youren explained.

China’s modern society is leaving the guqin behind

“Just like today people are crazy about music from the west, but because the guqin has always been an instrument which people played for their own pleasure, not for best online dating web site, the art has survived.”

But the onslaught of modernisation and christian single online dating service in Chinese culture over the last century has been a powerful one.

As the most potent symbol of the classical musical tradition, the guqin has suffered badly.

However, some maintain predictions of its demise are premature.

“I spend most of my time introducing the guqin to students who are fascinated by it and teaching it as a secondary subject to those who learn other instruments,” teacher Dai Xiaolian said.

“But for the first time in over a decade, this year I have found one student wanting to specialise in the guqin.”

A modest breakthrough of hope for the future - but perhaps one that reflects the character of this subtle and elusive instrument.