Many a times, social integration has either been regarded a taboo or merely pushed under the carpet due to its, so thought, minimum significance. But events and changing times have proven otherwise. Hence the need to instil this 'modern virtue' to avoid social conflicts.

It’s crystal clear that poor or bad politics, lack of information, fear and ignorance reign supreme in determining one's perception of what perfect integration should be.

The media also play a major role in this process. Therefore, it's blurred or biased portrayal may easily lead to the misconception of such a fragile subject.

Most of the people I interviewed admitted their neutral stand on the topic while some mistook it for assimilation, whereas the latter means absorbing the other culture and not just constituting an essential part of it. We should also bear in mind that diversity can only be an asset if managed well.

With that said, it doesn't take a genius to acknowledge that a fair system allows people to truly express who they are in the society.

Double standard codes based on one's background, intolerance and prejudice only act as drawbacks in the quest for a perfect integration.

In this case, tolerance is meant to be the capacity of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.

Bad politics also create unnecessary barriers. These include numerous affirmations on racial superiority, downplaying of other religions and diversion of the masses' attention from what the real socio-economic problems are.

Some politicians have made it a habit to preach the ills of unifying a diverse rather than striving to restore calm in an already fragile community. This has resulted in growing tensions between the middle class citizen down the ladder and the immigrants. There is a desperate call for better politics, laws and policies which advocate equal status for various ethnic groups. That is when diversity will be appreciated.

Fear and ignorance often are contagious factors, especially if propagated by influential sources. An example is the widespread fear of the Muslims after the 9/11 tragedy. Some media institutions even go as far as promoting hate campaigns whose victims are often the minorities.

For some, the latter only become newsworthy when they are involved in negative activities. A sad truth is that the immigrants' success stories are either given less attention or never put to light at all. All these contribute to the ever growing intolerance due to lack of information and or diffusion of manipulated material in a bid to draw a thick line between 'us' and 'them'.

Some may argue that culture is one definable thing based on one race or religion.

But it's undeniable that it is the result of multiple factors that change as the world changes. It is therefore advisable that we promote minority festivals, newspapers, languages, music, arts and encourage minority representation in politics.

Social integration has to be considered a vital recipe of coexistence in a multicultural or multiethnic community.

Just like Malcolm X once said: "Sitting at the table doesn't make you a diner, unless you eat some of what's on that plate".

So let us advocate for equal rights and not just base our fights on ideological lines or pseudo-patriotism.

By so doing, we can help build bridges and avoid erecting unnecessary fences around us.

By Eugine Otieno

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