Race, multiculturalism and immigration are emotive topics in the 21st century. Like any other nation, the UK has its share of many cultures - established through gradual immigration throughout the previous century or more.

As diverse as the UK is, this does not translate to all areas of Britain. Where cities are a mix of cultures, other parts of the nation are still the same as 50-years-ago. Another aspect is the invisible walls existing in neighbourhoods; having some cultures clustered together to live effectively in their own private society.  

To be a true multicultural society you need all people really living side-by-side - differing faiths and lifestyles blending in to form one great society. It becomes hard to understand a culture if said culture is alienating themselves from the rest of society.    

The tendency to group people together as one cultural voice is also the wrong perspective - one individual should be allowed to find friends and family with whoever they choose - irrespective of race, creed or colour. There are others trying to keep their own culture separated and true to the teachings of the chosen religion - almost a form of racism in disguise.

Surprisingly the BNP (British national party) recently won a share of votes to elect members to the European Parliament - the fact the political party has racist views has gained them notoriety and growing support - albeit a fraction of the UK electorate overall.

There is no great takeover of British identity (as the BNP will have you believe). According to Wolfram Alpha, the dominant ethnicity is 77% English with just 7.9% making up minority races. When an aggressive political party can gain support for spouting divisive statements then cultural coexistence does not work for some.  

Because we may not understand a culture should not mean they become a target for abuse or ridicule - a form of respect for cultural differences should be the bare minimum to expect from one another. 

Scaremongering from the media does not help to cross the cultural boundaries - their targets are usually immigrants or people of a particular faith.     

Socially we are isolated from culture to culture; we have grown to accept the separate lives we live, some people rarely mix on a day-to-day basis with people from a culturally different background.      
 
Although not at breaking point yet - British society is divided with many cultures doing their own thing among other cultures; technically a multicultural existence it might be, but we need to start building a common bond between people in general - otherwise divided we will fall.