Should a child of an immigrant really criticise others who wish to come this country? You more than ever should be able to relate to the experiences of those who have travelled miles to make a new place their home.

Or have we become so detached from the experiences of our parents and grandparents that we would gladly use overtly anti-immigrant language?

We have a growing number of South Asians and minorities who seem to have forgotten the plight of their parents and grandparents and boast of us being ‘special’.

This idea that we came here ‘legally’ and did not come here to take advantage of the economic benefits shows how a wider hatred of immigrants can soon seep into our consciousness.

If you live in a country which constantly panders towards an anti-immigrant agenda then you are going to start to believe the very same narrative. It is quite easy to get swept up into this unfounded belief that you are a little different and your forefathers were different.

You start believing that you and your family are being threatened by these new arrivals.

There are those who having made a success of oneself who now feel they are able to dictate who else comes to this green and pleasant land.

Much of this has got to do with many of us not having anything in common with newly arrived immigrants. Those with immediate relatives from abroad could relate to a common plight.

Yet, these feelings of resentment are nothing new.

Back when there was an influx of Polish nationals the language used by some Asians was shocking. This was clear racism towards another nationality but we dressed it up as ‘banter’ and a ‘joke’. Where have we heard that before?

Some might suggest that it is a supposed new-found wealth that has made air these feelings.

This is where you would be wrong.

I have spoken to working classes in their mid-thirties from a minority background who bluntly tell me that they voted ‘Leave’ for the sole reason of stopping more immigrants coming to the country.

This is what they were fed and this is what they believe.

Yet, here are the facts. We are, like it or not the children of immigrants. Our forefathers came to the country and faced the same if not more levels of racism from other communities and they managed somehow to turn the other cheek and live their lives.

They got by in crowded homes and worked long shifts. It was not easy and nor did they say it was easy.

At the time many thought this would be a temporary arrangement and once they had made enough money they may well return to their native country one day.

That is why they continued to build extensions to their small farmhouses and provide for distant relatives.

Maybe this is the question we should asking.

What would that human being who stepped off that plane back in 1961 think on hearing his descendent in 2019 speaking ill of another refugee?

Times may have changed but people have not.