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Tuesday, 19th March 2024
 

DO NOT BE DIVIDED AND RULED

 
 

Take any major UK profession - law, medicine, pharmacy, accountancy, dentistry, optometry - and the numbers of ethnic minorities among their members is very high, ranging from 20% minimum to a maximum of 50%. Considering that ethnic minorities are only 11% of the national population, this is a profound set of statistics. What it demonstrates is the huge intelligence, discipline, creativity and initiative of ethnic minorities in this country. They are record-breakers, prize winners, internationally reknown,.....

BUT if you look at their representation within senior ranks of the professional bodies or workplaces, the numbers dwindle considerably. In medicine, some 55% of all doctors are Asians, but only 2% become consultants. In Accountancy, there has never been a non-white president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, in spite of a very significant ethnic membership - see the Accountancy Age article. Even in the big four accountancy firms, the percentage of ethnic partners is very low, considering how global these firms are. And in some communities, like Indian-origin professionals, commerce is in their bloodstream - this explains why India is so booming today.

The membership is an excellent testament to the ability of ethnic 'minorities'. Even today, if you go to the competitive grammar schools up and down the country, the ethnic population average would be at least 20% with some top schools in London having an ethnic representation of 70%! We believe that one reason for this skill is the strong cultural values and work ethic, and also a high level of integrity. So there are plenty more ethnic professionals to come, and it is important that opportunities for them remain open and equal.

Through this portal, we want to improve awareness of our contribution to civic and work life in Britain, and to highlight the huge strengths and energy we bring, for the benefit of ourselves, our country and our children. We appeal to ethnic professionals to sign up to our email newsletter and spread the word and unite, so that we cannot be easily divided and ruled. We also feel that most of us do not wish to rule, but to make a difference and help improve the workplace for everyone, ethically and with care and diligence. So our unity should not be perceived as a threat, but an active attempt at raising the quality of life for everyone in Britain. The collapse of the British empire, could mean an opportunity for a globalised Britain, vibrant, creative and harmonious. But we are not there yet, partly because we are not allowed to play our respective part.

Article added on 21st December 2009 at 5:54pm