Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Professor Orta
22 November 2018
In the research report, “London Identities,” published in April 2018, authors Nicolas
Bosetti and Tom Colthrope investigate the identities accompanying the city of London and how
one is classified as a Londoner. With more research done on national identities, this piece aims
to fill the gap of knowledge for diversity and what makes one relate to the city. In order to
unearth what makes a person identify with London, the authors must explore what and how
people connect with the city. The authors study the concepts of the local area, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, and class to convey the message of variety in London. Although the authors try not
to input their personal voice in the report, it is clear that certain areas are researched more
than others. There is undoubtedly an absence of energy to define the welcoming multinational
culture.
Looking specifically at both Bosetti and Colthrope’s use of rhetorical devices enables one
to understand the gravity of this issue. The use of logos in this piece is important given that this
report is based off of proficiency. It is necessary that the authors are well educated about
identifying diversity in a city. The authors provide both solid and definite evidence to enforce
the point that “Ethnicity and religion are stronger elements of identity than locality in the UK”
(Bosetti and Colthrope). It is clear that ethnicity is well reported throughout the essay and, in
important role in persuading the reader. The authors use a trustworthy source to attract
readers when they state “According to poll data, the proportion of Londoners who were born in
London decreased from 58 per cent in 1997… to 25-32 per cent today” (Bosetti and Colthrope).
Appealing to one’s emotions plays an important role throughout the report. This act of
persuasion promotes the authors use of propaganda. The authors try to strike a feeling of
worrying when stating, “Wealth inequality has deepened; Londoners on modest and middle
incomes have seen living costs rise faster than earnings. Poverty remains stubbornly high”
(Bosetti and Colthrope). There is an apparent struggle for the living class to try and survive. This
draws out the idea of the amount of overturn the city is witnessing with a population that
cannot afford to survive. This creates an opportunity for more people to come add to the
Bosetti and Colthrope include a lengthy and detailed section labeled “Ethnicity,” and
throughout the report they incorporate numerous different surveys, graphs, and statistics on
this specific topic. The authors sprinkle propaganda about race throughout their argument to
attest that it plays an imperative function in molding identity. The authors claim that “ethnicity
generally has greater salience than place in shaping identity” (Bosetti and Colthrope). London’s
identity is contended off it being a melting pot of people with different ethnic backgrounds
from all of over the world. White British people, Bosetti and Colthrope comment, are pushed
out by ethnic minorities because they do not like diversity in their culture. This creates more
space for more diversity since more and more of London’s original inhabitants are moving out.
People who are not white prefer areas that are more diverse because there tends to be less
prejudice. There is a massive amount of research and study done on ethnicity because it is
believed to be the main focus for defining diversity. However, there is much more to be
unraveled about a person than just their race to determine how they identify with their
surroundings.
Bosetti and Colthrope bring forth valid points about ethnicity and class when aiming to
define someone as a Londoner; however, they fail to grasp that there are other important
concepts that should be better researched to define diversity in a society. Each individual in
London is unique and has something that sets them apart from the rest. To live in a diverse
community is to explore and accept the distinctions of others in an optimistic setting. The
authors state, “seeking to rigidly define and strengthen London identities from the top-down
risks being counter-productive and widening gaps between London” (Bosetti and Colthrope).
This statement is oxymoronic because their argument is regarding how diverse London is and
they choose to not elaborate on what actually makes it diverse. Instead, concepts that appeal
to the writers, such as ethnicity, are chosen to further their point on diversity in the city.
There is a lack of programming among the other topics discussed in the report,
specifically about the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, and Queer or Questioning. It is appalling that the authors only give the LGBTQ a
small paragraph constructed of a few sentences made up of assumptions about the community
rather facts. There are no charts, diagrams, or extensive explorations done to recognize how
the community identifies with being a Londoner. Compared to other sections of the report,
which are very in depth and give detailed evidence for the specific subjects, analysis on the
LGBTQ community is lacking. The authors admit that there has been “very little research on
whether queer Londoners identify differently with their city” (Bosetti and Colthrope). Why has
there not been further investigation about how ones’ sexual orientation relates them to the
place they live? Do those of the LGBTQ community feel a lack of belonging? This community
and any research about how they relate to their surrounding was noticeably left out of the
report. Given that this is what makes someone unique, it is important to better understand the
LGBTQ group.
I decided to dive directly into the LGBTQ community and check out a local London bar
called Heaven. I walked up to the bar and ordered a drink and noticed that everyone around me
was excessively cheerful. Perhaps because they felt free to be who they are and express
themselves. I began talking with a group of women that identified themselves as lesbians. Being
that this was my first time at a bar like this, I was a little nervous. However, there is nothing
liquid courage cannot fix. Stephanie and Lindsey had been dating for a little over two years and
are engaged to be married in the summer of 2019. Stephanie is originally from London, but
Lindsey moved from New York to London a little over four years ago for a job opportunity. As
the conversations got deeper, Stephanie told me about her hard upbringing because she
identified as a Lesbian. Her parents were very catholic, the kind that go to church every Sunday
and pray multiple times a day; they had been married for over forty years. Stephanie had
known since her young teenage years that she was not straight; however, she lived in fear of
her parent’s rejection. She related to me that “there is a lot of prejudice and misunderstanding
around the LGBTQ+ community. It’s sad because many young teens who do not have accepting
parents are forced outside of their families and churches.” Lindsey quickly interrupted and
added how many suicides and homelessness is caused from this. This was very eye-opening to
hear first-hand because this is often a conversation that is not discussed. If there is more
programming to better understand this community, it would help others on the outside have a
better understanding.
If more inquiry is completed on the LGBTQ+ community, it could benefit the city of
information to acknowledge and further understand the group it, in return, could prevent the
amount of suicides amongst the group. Author John G. Taylor in “Dying for Acceptance: Suicide
Rates in the LGBTQ Community” discusses the alarming rate of suicides amongst the LGBTQ
youth aged 15-25. Although this matter may seem dark and twisted, it is important to
understand why so many lives are taken simply because people are not accepted for who they.
A devastating “500,000 LGBTQ youth attempt suicide every year” and “5,000 LGBTQ youth now
take their lives each year” (Taylor). The deprivation of programming for this community only
more about the LGBTQ community. In London there is currently a project in place titled the
London LGBTQ Community Centre. It is promoted as a protected space that inspires a sense of
security and encourages people to lay down their roots. This space is a nonprofit and includes a
café, social center, workspace room, and clinic with a psychotherapist. By reaching out to the
LGBTQ community and creating a safe space, it encourages them to stand up and speak about
In the article, “College Students’ Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Participation
in Study Abroad,” published in 2015, authors Kelly M. Bryant and Krista M. Soria host a survey
among undergraduates throughout eight different public universities and 213,160 students. This
survey serves the purpose of understanding how sexual orientation correlates with studying
abroad. Over the last two decades studying abroad has “more than tripled” so it is important to
understand what specific groups of students are attracted to studying in a foreign place (1). Due
to misunderstanding and the fear of rejection, the LGBTQ community has a hard time expressing
abroad may help students with the two processes of developing a personal Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual
identity status and developing a Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual social identity” (10). When studying
abroad in a convivial culture it promotes self-expression. Those in the LGBTQ community are
more likely to express how they are feeling on the inside because there is a lesser chance of
rejection.
Similarly, The London LGBTQ Community Centre strives to foster a safe space for those
part of the community regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual
orientation. Sadly, for many of the LGBTQ community where they grew up does not feel like
home. It may seem like loneliness and isolation go hand in hand with the LGBTQ experience.
With this being said, the target of this Centre is to construct a space that those of the community
had wished that they had growing up. A LGBTQ community Centre like this creates possibilities
to meet new people and share experiences. This encourages those of the community to be who
The location of a study abroad program is very imperative because the surrounding
environment needs to promote identity exploration. Resourcing for the LGBTQ community on
their home campus is very vital so that norms of other cultures can be analyzed when selecting
a study abroad location. This would help ensure that an LGBTQ has a successful and enjoyable
abroad experience.
Having lived in London for almost three months now, my eyes have been opened to how
distinct the city is with its vastly different characteristics and identities that every individual
possess. It is very ostensible that London has branded itself as a cosmopolitan city. For an
LGBTQ student this may seem like an ideal city to express who they are. Countless “LGBTQ
students face challenges many of their peers do not normally have to confront” (6). This
includes discrimination from family or friends and could promote caution of any further identity
expression. A study abroad program may make it easier for an LGBTQ student to explore their
sexual identity however; one may be sobered by the idea of going back home to the same
judgements. Centre’s such as the London LGBTQ Community help tackle issues such as;
assisting parents struggling with accepting their Queer child. This space stimulates life changing
My experience studying abroad through American River Community College has helped
me grow and discover who I am. This is the first time I have ever lived on my own and I have
acquired a new sense of independence. Not only has it given me a new sense of liberation but
Interestingly, in the article “Study Abroad: A Lifetime of Benefits” authors Amy Ruhter
McMillan and Gayly Opem explore the intercultural, professional, and personal long-term
effects that study abroad has had on students. When I first started attending community college
I only wanted to receive my bachelor’s degree at most. I have developed a sophisticated way of
viewing the world which in return, has struck a fire in me to seek out higher education and an
interest in lifelong learning. McMilan and Opem conducted a survey from study abroad study
and found that “Over 97 percent said the experience enabled them to learn something new about
themselves and served as a catalyst for increased maturity” (5). A study abroad experience
allows one to identify their own cultural interpretations and preconceptions. This recognition will
Bosetti, Nicolas. Colthorpe, Tom. Identities. London Essays: Reports, The Centre for
Bryant, M. Kelly, and Soria M. Krista. “College Students’ Sexual Orientation, Gender
Identity, and Participation in Study Abroad.” Sexual Identity. Feb. 2015, Diablo Valley Online
Library
https://londonlgbtqcentre.org/the-project
McMillian Ruhter, Amy and Opem Gayly. “Study Abroad: A Lifetime of Benefits.” IES
Taylor G. John, “Dying for Acceptance: Suicide Rates in the LGBTQ Community”
2018.