Who would disagree that the current presidential race ('America is showing Europe the way again', Comment, last week) is a turning point in America's political history?
The American ideal of opportunities for all is shared and strongly supported here in Britain. Many of my heroes are from the civil rights movement of the 1960s. But as we become misty eyed looking across the pond, we shouldn't ignore what has happened here. Opportunities for black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Britain have grown and this country has some of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in Europe.
We may not yet have our own Barack Obama, but the number of MPs from an ethnic minority background has grown from four in 1987 to 15 now. This is not fast enough progress. But we are ensuring that the British political system is open and accessible to all. That means reinvigorating democracy and giving it relevance so that people can engage. The Queen's Speech will contain measures to give more of our citizens who are under-represented a better chance of reaching positions of power and influence.
It could be said that the first-ever black nominee in the US presidential race is the fruits of the civil rights movement in the Sixties. In my opinion, we are already seeing the fruits in the UK of thoroughly progressive policies of the last 11 years.
Sadiq Khan
Minister for Cohesion and Race Equality
Keith Richburg argues that Barack Obama's rise seems possible only in the US. I am not sure if Obama really does stand for a different country. But Richburg is right in arguing that societies in Europe still need to adapt further to increasing ethnic diversity.
However, if you take a look at parliamentary representation you recognise progress. What I find most exciting is that the German Green party should elect Cem Ozdemir (who is of Turkish descent) as its new co-spokesperson in mid-November. I believe he would be the first guest worker's child to lead any relevant party in Europe.
Jan Seifert
London SE1
This 'only in America' line is a wee bit annoying. Have Richburg and Obama, who frequently chants this mantra, not noticed that the President of Bolivia is an indigenous peasant? I'd say the chances of such a thing happening in the US any time soon are fairly remote.
No doubt we could all do better but let's get the picture straight.
Susan Seager
London W6
Keith Richburg, in asserting the value of the 'American dream', glides over a few inconvenient points.
Dreams can be quite wonderful but they do not take place in the real world. Even if Obama gets to the White house, 46 per cent of African American children will spend this winter below the poverty line.
He is right to point out that the multicultural project in Europe still has a long way to go, but it takes a remarkably detached American to suggest that his own country is leading the way. That American ideology seeks to reaffirm the American dream at every opportunity is hardly surprising. That knowledgeable Black Americans such as Richburg are happy to regurgitate such tripe is as baffling as it is depressing.
Seth Dye
Nottingham
I agree with Keith Richburg that Barack Obama's achievement could only happen in the US, but disagree that he will be America's first black President. Obama is of mixed race and if he succeeds it will be a victory for the American dream, the melting pot and racial assimilation.
Stan Labovitch
Windsor
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