Intention
The excerpt from the essay “The Pioneers: Fifty Years of Caribbean Migration to Britain” by Caryl Phillips explores themes like multiculturalism, racism, British history, and immigratio…
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Convincing readers of the benefits of multiculturalism
The writer’s overall intention with the essay is to convince readers that multiculturalism is beneficial for British society.
To achieve this intention, the writer makes historical allusions that show how Britain progressed from a racial view on national culture and rejection of others to a more inclusive society. For example, he alludes to Britain’s racial past through his reference to the phrase “ ‘Keep Britain White’ ” (p. 31, ll. 26-27) which was a political slogan in the 1960s and 1970s. He also points to ways in which racism and…
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Raising awareness of discrimination
Phillips also wants to warn readers against the dangers of discrimination, either based on race or religion. To achieve this intention, he reminds them of “Stephen Lawrence’s killers” (p. 31, l. 29). This allusions help illustrate how racism and ignorance can degenerate into something worse, such as racially motivated murders and totalitarian societies.
But the writer also mentions examples of discrimination against religious traditions and customs: “…a boycott against the local school because it encourages its children to recognise div…
