'Sleepwalking to segregation'?
Challenging myths about race and migration
By Nissa Finney and Ludi Simpson
Published
Jan 21, 2009Page count
224 pagesISBN
978-1847420077Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Jan 21, 2009Page count
224 pagesISBN
978-1847420084Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Jan 21, 2009Page count
224 pagesISBN
978-1447305989Imprint
Policy PressPublished
Jan 21, 2009Page count
224 pagesISBN
978-1447305996Imprint
Policy Press
'Sleepwalking to segregation'?
In the context of renewed debates about diversity and cohesion, this book interrogates contemporary claims about race and migration. It demonstrates that many of the claims are myths, presenting evidence in support of and in opposition to them in an accessible yet academically rigorous manner.
The book combines an easy-to-read overview of the subject with innovative new research. It tackles head-on questions about levels of immigration, the contribution of immigrants, minority self-segregation, ghettoisation and the future diversity of the population. The authors argue that the myths of race and migration are the real threat to an integrated society and recommend that focus should return to problems of inequality and prejudice.
"Very useful for those researching multicultural Britain...[providing] myth-breaking that is urgent and necessary in challenging the current climate" Sociological Imagination
"..a very accessible, easy-to-read counter-argument to the many ill-informed headline-grabbing race and immigration 'factoids'..." Joy Thompson, LariaNews
'sleepwalking to segregation'? is a valuable tool, which combats the untruths and misinformation that pervade current policies on 'race relations' and race.' - Jon Burnett in Race & Class
"Nissa Finney and Ludi Simpson have produced an authoritative guide to evidence on immigration and segregation, in plain language. This book will help journalists and politicians to treat these issues with the seriousness they deserve, and hesitate before making alarmist claims that have no basis in fact." Jon Cruddas, MP
"In an area where unwarranted generalisations and myths are all too common, and derive their plausibility from the current climate of moral panic, this well-researched and carefully argued book represents a welcome contribution. Based on a consistent line of thought, it should do much to improve the quality of public discourse on this vexed subject. It might provoke disagreement from time to time, and that reinforces its value." Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Professor of Political Philosophy, University of Westminster
"If you want to know what has really been happening in Britain in terms of ethnic segregation, how many ghettos exist, or whether immigration is a threat to social solidarity, this is the book to read." Danny Dorling, Professor of Human Geography, University of Sheffield
"An accessible and authoritative book which is much needed and hits the spot admirably." Chris Gaine, Professor of Applied Social Policy, University of Chichester
Nissa Finney is a Research Fellow at the University of Manchester. With a background in Geography her research has focused on migration of ethnic groups within Britain, demography of local ethnic group population change, refugee settlement policy and press portrayals of race and migration.
Ludi Simpson is Professor of Population Studies at the University of Manchester. He works with population, census and survey statistics, aiming to extend their use by communities and governments. He has worked closely with local authorities and government departments, and statistics associations in Britain and abroad.
Introduction; Making sense of race statistics; Challenging the myth that "Britain takes too many immigrants"; Challenging the myth that "so many minorities can't be integrated"; Challenging the myth that "minorities don't want to integrate"; Challenging the myth that "Britain is becoming a country of ghettos"; Challenging the myth of "minority white cities"; Conclusion; Myths and counterarguments: a quick reference summary.
