I agree

I am awed by the sacrificial labours of the Luther-Kings or the Wilberforces. There is a need for apposite legislation, that establishes justice, and these men undoubtedly transformed a nation and its law.

You'll still need to convince me that America is more effective than Britain at producing harmonious cross cultural relationships and heterogenous communities. I don't question so much their legislation just the assumption that it is "heartfelt" enough to make racist speech more rare than here (hence the cartoon).

America aside, it is apparent that there are significant numbers of dissaffected non-whites in the U.K. and a perplexed majority apparently wondering why. So name the charges. List the wrongs. Let the Lion roar and let justice roll like a river

Resolving racial tensions

Would racial tensions be less:
- if there were still slavery?
- if Blacks and Hispanics in the US - or Blacks and Asians - stayed in their low-pay reserve army of labour jobs?
- if "troublemakers" didn't demand equal rights, equal pay, parity of esteem?

Probably. But only from one side, from the majority.

Do we say that Ethnic minorities should stay in their low-pay jobs, or be refused access to this country or the US, because it will only make the White supremacists more vocal?

No way!

But we cry, "Justice!" Not because it it is easy or it makes life easy. It won't. But because it is the right thing to do. Racial and cultural justice are always going to have to be fought for; people are xenophobic. But there is hope, because God says that we are all made in His image. Those of us who are Christians share in the Eucharist, knowing that we are equals, redeemed and redeemable.

Heartfelt legislation?

I'm not convinced that the American way is better at improving good relations between diverse ethnic groups. If anything it is more fractured and more awkwardly self-conscious of its racial tensions. It may be legally more unacceptable to make a racist comment in America, but I still think it more likely to be heard for all that.

The Great British Civil Rights Movement?

The Americans had a Civil Rights movement, but the British didn't; certainly there was no crisis moment in history for the British. The Americans got Affirmative Action which promises equal rights and treatment, equality of access to education and occupations for underrepresented groups such as as ethnic minorities and women. By and large, it is unacceptable in the US to insult an African American. By contrast, Britain has Equal Opportunities, which most people would agree is a slow boat to racial equality and justice.

Is the revolution that makes the difference? Who will bring that? Could the Church of England bring about such a revolution? Could it speak prophetically to the nation, crying out for justice?