To answer your question, James, the points I make are not necessarily about different ethnic groups or races, but about "people of difference".

History shows us that differing groups of people cannot co-exist peacefully, whether we are talking about tribes in Africa warring against each other, Yorkshire versus Lancashire, France versus - er -just about everyone, or whatsoever. Even if people are all the same race, nationality, social class etc, they will still find something to fight about - look at Northern Ireland.

My belief, for what it's worth, is that people are naturally herdlike as long as they are comfortable with the herd, but become very paranoid when outsiders or strangers present themselves. Sometimes it may even be based on factual experience, for example, many villagers experience of "travellers" has generally not been good, so they quite naturally generalise. It may not be right, but it is what happens. More often I think it is not based on factual experience, rather just an irrational fear of the unknown.

I recall time spent in Australia in the 60s when it must not have been great to be Greek or Italian, but these people seem to be generally well assimilated now, so the attention has turned to other groups. Even the English were seen as threatening at one time because so many of the migrants went there with the wrong attitude. But it didn't and shouldn't stop people wanting to go live somewhere else, if that is what they want to do.

Unsurprisingly, I blame Governments (all of 'em) for refusing to discuss/consider the issues before they create pockets of society with predictable social problems that they don't have to live with themselves, then blame people for not being able to get along.

cheers, Terry