It's a free world

I watched a film the other day called "it's a free world..." which was directed by Ken Loach. It was an interesting and thought provoking film about a woman setting up her own recruitment agency for foreign workers, but it was quite bitter in places.

We live in a multi-cultural society, but I feel like there is a divide between British people and people from other countries. I live in an area where there is a large population of non-British people, but generally these people all live together in the same area and Us British live in all the other local places. When I was at school I had a few foreign friends but I could feel the divide and differences, like they felt they had to keep themselves to themselves..which was a shame really.

"Illegal immigrants" and even "immigrants" is such a harsh word/phrase. It creates images of people wanting to 'use our benefits' and who want a free ride. It doesn't connote the individual and their life and situation.

I've found from personal experience people tend to get annoyed about immigration and asian (for example) people coming over for all the benefits and generally "being everywhere", but I've noticed when people tend to get to know an individual whatever race - depending on what the individual is like as a person of course - they drop whatever assumptions they previously had.

It seems quite a complex issue but I can't really pass a judgement as I believe they are simply coming over for a better life. If I was in a different situation and had the chance for a better life somewhere, for myself and my children (if I had any) I would do everything I could for a better life.

But regardless of these factors, it can't be an "easy ride". I can imagine it would be extremely isolating and strange being in a new country especially if you can't speak English or can't speak English very well.

The film also highlighted what a tough time the foreign people have as they were paid below the minimum wage and work very long hours. The phrase "foreign workers" seems so disheartening, as it trivialises them down to simply being a machine to work, and forgets the human within.

I know these people are people, so not everyone is good, or has good intentions and things like that, but I think it's sad how there is so much stigma, stereotypes, and negativity surrounding these people when everyone is an individual at the beginning of the day.