Mishmash of people, but there was kindness': Cockney Sikh' on east London

Suresh Singh avoids the term multiculturalism and focuses on actions instead. He questions what “multicultural England” means when communities build separate lives and do not invite others in. He has spent decades walking Spitalfields, organizing nostalgic tours that trace local history and changing immigrant populations, including Irish, Maltese, and Hassidic Jews. He describes conflicts and tensions alongside moments of kindness, such as babysitting and friendly smiles across groups. Growing up near far-right activity, he witnessed political violence in Punjab and London, including attacks by National Front members that broke his nose. Despite racist abuse, his parents continued living without leaving.

"Suresh Singh never uses the word multiculturalism. It's nonsense to me, he said. What matters is your actions. What does multicultural England' mean, when we still build our little castles and don't even ask anyone round for a cup of tea? Singh, also known as the Cockney Sikh, has walked the streets of Spitalfields in east London for six decades."

"The tour also explored the area's many immigrant populations over time. Irish, Maltese, Hassidic Jews it was such a mishmash of people, said Singh. But there was kindness. The Irish women would babysit me. The Polish Jews never got on with the Russian Jews, but they would always smile at my mum. Everybody somehow got on."

"Born on Princelet Street, Spitalfields, in 1962, Singh spent his teenage years on Brick Lane against a backdrop of far-right racist attacks. The National Front was headquartered nearby. Reflecting on Tommy Robinson's far-right unite the kingdom rally which recently marched in London resulting in the arrests of 20 people Singh recalled political violence witnessed by his family, both in Punjab and London."

"As a teenager Singh was attacked by National Front members on Brick Lane, who broke his nose. They cornered me, said: You look like a Paki.' But I thought what the skinhead was wearing was beautiful, Ben Sherman and stuff. And I got my head kicked for it. My mum never went to the police, because the City police were quite r"

Read at www.theguardian.com