Summary

Caryl Phillips begins “The Pioneers: Fifty Years of Caribbean Migration to Britain” by giving two definitions of multiculturalism. The first describes multiculturalism as people of different cultures living side by side and tolerating each other. The second describes multiculturalism as people from different cultures integrating elements from each other’s culture. He argues that in the first case, one culture will always be dominant and gives examples of religious discrimination. The second definition illustrates an ideal multicultural society.

He talks about the first Caribbean migrants who came to an unwelcoming Britain and gives practical examples of how they changed British society. He argues that the British can no longer define themselves ...