Final answer:
Salman Rushdie fears his 'easy ride' in English culture is a result of linguistic privilege, which offers benefits to those who master the dominant language. Xenophobia and systemic oppression are related concepts that can harm cultural diversity, with White privilege being a specific example of racial inequality in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rushdie fears that his "easy ride" in English culture is the result of linguistic privilege. This concept relates to the advantage individuals may have due to their mastery of a dominant language, in this case, English. This privilege affords certain benefits within a society that values and prioritizes that language, potentially making it easier to assimilate and be accepted.
Looking at other related concepts, the irrational fear or hatred of another culture is referred to as xenophobia. Furthermore, systems of oppression can arise when certain groups are discriminated against, leading to prolonged and sustained unjust treatment, such as the centuries of oppression African communities faced.
Additionally, media globalization can lead to cultural imperialism and the loss of local culture, both of which are seen as risks rather than advantages. In the context of race and ethnicity, the certainty of interacting with authority figures of one's same race, such as that experienced by White people in the U.S., is a result of White privilege.