Peace, one and all…
I watched a very interesting programme recently on Channel 4. Entitled The Face of Britain, the programme explored the genetic heritage of the British Isles, with the aim of reconstructing a representative face of Britain. In the last programme, particular focus was given to the Orkney Islands (just off the north coast of Scotland for those unaware). The key question they were trying to answer was: did the incoming Vikings simply kill the native Pictish men and marry their wives and daughters? Heady stuff indeed!
Although I didn’t see the first two episodes, I have to say that I really enjoyed this programme. Apart from a few reservations about the idea of a ‘representative face’, a number of interesting questions were raised: what is the nature of identity? What does it mean to ‘belong’? How should we relate to such questions, on a personal level?
The main overall conclusion it seems was that, as far as can be observed, the genetic heritage of the British Isles is a roughly equal mixture of Celt and Anglo-Saxon, with a hearty sprinkling of Viking and Norman in other areas. It thus seemed to show a remarkable degree of genetic continuity, although such an approach can only ever be a rough indication.
In the last part, the question of immigration and its impact was raised. I found this particularly interesting. As I recall (it was about a week ago now), it pointed out that although there has always been immigration into Britain, our genetic heritage is now changing faster than at any other time in our history.
And all is as God wills it to be.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
May 4, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Salaams Abdur (again, and sorry!)
But being a (half breed) myself, this topic has been a part of my whole life (even before I had use of reason), but in California. A couple of months ago there was a series on TV here also on the different conquests of the British Isles, and although some of the scenes were quite barbarious, it was interesting as far as history. In the end you mention “immigration and it’s impact.” The reason I am sharing this particular information with you is because last year I had to do a research project at work (I work for Los Angeles County, which is considered one of the most diverse counties in the world, where there are larger concentrations of nationalities outside of their homelands than any where else). In doing the research, I came across a CIA posting which stated that as of 1958 the “White” race in the United States (and Europe) started to drop because of birth control methods in place and that the average “White” family had 2 children. Then it went on to say, that in order for a country to remain a world power, immigration was necessary, because the “hands of these immigrants” were necessary to work in factories, construction, the country, and other places. And that through the labor of these new immigrants, the retirement benefits for those baby-boomers would be fulfilled by the X generation. Immigration is a BIG issue in th states like California which border with countries to the south. Many people come to the U.S.A. from the countries to the south of it in search of a better life and are meeting great resistance from the “White” population. In the process, different peoples are marrying, and the genetic heritage of the “majority” is changing rapidly. I was talking to my son this morning in Europe, and he told me they read in the newspapers there that the most common last name in the USA is now “Rodriguez,” and that “Smith” came in 4th place.
Barbara
May 4, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Salaams Barbara,
No need to apologise. You’re welcome to stop by here any time. Mi casa, su casa (apologies if I’ve spelt it wrong – that’s my Spanish exhausted).
All are welcome here, especially any fellow compadres from the Tea House.
Yes. I’d immigration is a BIG issue in California. It’s an increasing issue in the UK, where there has been a marked shift towards the right in popular discussions of this issue in recent years. There has also been a regrettable rise in the influence of the BNP (though not as much as some would say).
I come from the East End of London originally (think Cockney, though nothing like Dick Van Dyk in Mary Poppins). According to recent research, there are over 300 languages spoken by more than 10,000 people in London! Diversity was one of the main things which propelled me into Islam, so I’m all for it.
In any case, the earth belongs to the Beloved and He gives it to whomsoever He wills.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman