I watch rallies where everyone is waving union jacks and shouting about how British they are. I follow the row over the Last Night of the Proms and how the typically British closing songs are being interfered with. I listen to people complaining that the country isn't really British anymore and they no longer recognise it.
Who cares? I happen to be a British citizen because I was born in England, but I have no particular attachment to Britain. If anything, I'm quite repelled by what's going on in England right now. Hatred, trolling, xenophobia, vicious denouncements of other people. Whatever happened to the British tradition of "fair play" and "sympathy for the underdog"?
I don't believe for a second that Britain is the greatest country in the world, that it does everything better than other countries. There are plenty of things Britain makes a complete mess of, most visibly its handling of the virus pandemic. There are many things Britain does that are totally shocking, like its treatment of those who are poor, homeless, disabled or mentally ill.
I may be a British citizen, but I'm well aware that other countries do a lot of things much better than us, and we would do well to pick their brains and follow their example rather than seeing the rest of the world as a bit backward.
I don't want to glorify my Britishness. I don't want to go around waving a union jack. I just want to be seen as a thoughtful, considerate human being who wants everyone to have a decent life. Isn't that enough?
PS: Just seen another example of British incompetence. Average internet speeds in the UK are among the slowest in the developed world, below Barbados, Panama and Thailand. The UK failed to make it into the top 40 countries.
I hope that you would not mind my not offering any opinion on your take.
ReplyDeleteRamana: But I thought you'd have some interesting opinions....
DeleteI can always share them with you in private.
DeleteRamana, please do!
Deletehe Britain in which I grew up was a hopeful place. Decent education, health provision, housing and employment were seen as priorities by both main political parties. Then Thatcher unleashed greed and short sightedness on society, Blair gave them oxygen and now the country is not worth a candle.
ReplyDeleteFly: My view as well. As I recall, when I was young, the Conservatives actually cared about the worst-off and wanted to help them out. Now all they want to do is further enrich their already wealthy cronies, and the poor can look after themselves.
DeleteYeah, I'm sick of the British stereotype thing too. Also not bothered about the Last Night of the Proms - I mean, for goodness sake, why do they have to perform those same bloody tunes every year? It's so yawnsome. Why can't we have something new? Dragging around all this historical baggage blocks out anything new from happening and may stop the nation moving forward. Absolutely bloody sick of it.
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Ms Scarlet: Exactly, the historical baggage gets in the way of progress. At least when we go to the cinema they don't play the national anthem any more.
DeleteNick, your reference to playing the national anthem in the cinema made me laugh out loud. In recognition.
DeleteOnce upon a time, in the motherland, I was invited to watch a film at a NAAFI cinema. How nice. How baffling when the national anthem played and all the audience (British) got up from their seats. What the hell? I was stunned. I was so stunned I stayed seated. Not to make any point in particular. Just gobsmacked. Anyway, she isn't my Queen.
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Ms Scarlet, that's what the British do. Lugging around baggage. Koffer empty. Hot air.
DeleteThey dine out on the Second World War, Footie 1966; boast over their lost Empire (whilst quietly weeping over the fact they lost it), lay endless wreaths, sell poppies and wear them (November here we come).
The poppy is ok(ish). Rituals are there for a reason. I don't like the expression "move on". But, in Britain's case, moving on might just be the ticket. To be purchased at any disembodied booth now.
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I feel the same way about being an American. I consider myself first and foremost a citizen of the world.
ReplyDeleteJennifer: I can imagine many Americans must feel the same about all the jingoistic nonsense they're expected to go along with.
DeleteI agree with all your words. only you can omit British and insert American. I am so sick of being told we're the greatest or the 'leader of the free world' and on and on with such nonsense until it's just plain NAUSEATING!
ReplyDeleteand ... how dare I say ANYTHING derogatory? "how can you say that about your country!" for SHAME!
I'm immediately branded an 'un-American!' we're supposed to be making "American great again!"
well hog wash.
WHAT? when was it that great? we've harmed almost every person who's ever landed here or was born here!
it's all smoke and mirrors. when will it all stop?
I'm with you Nick. we should care about just being part of the whole HUMAN race! now THAT would be refreshing! kindness and acceptance of all our fellows! AND the planet! AND it's non human inhabitants! XO a great post dear Nick.
Tammy: Indeed, when was America that great? It only seems great because it has a huge military machine and thus huge global influence. But many American citizens are impoverished and forgotten-about.
DeleteI had no idea that Britain did any of that, but maybe every country has its own form of thinking they are exceptional? The funny part about living in the US is that not only do you have the American patriotism, but you also have tons of folks waving the flags of their heritage. I drive by Ireland and Italy flags every day, along with some I don’t even recognize.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I didn't know about the heritage flags. That's not the custom over here. Unfortunately the union jack is now closely associated with extreme right-wing groups and xenophobia.
DeleteThe concept of patriotism has been taken over by the far right, so I now feel uncomfortable at the sight of the union jack. I am very afraid that Brexit will show that they have exposed Britain to the world's ridicule. I actually think it's good for people to love their own country, and that has been taken away from us by this lot.
ReplyDeleteJenny: I agree about the union jack. It isn't an innocent symbol any more, it's been hijacked by fanatics and hate-mongers.
DeleteI read of a newly naturalized citizen here in the U.S. that wanted to show his love by flying the flag but was afraid people would think he was right-wing. How sad is that?
ReplyDeleteJean: Yes, very sad. I guess a lot of Brits would have the same reservations.
Delete"My country, right or wrong" spreads like sludge. It is pervasive. It is not good.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: What a childish refrain that is. Blind loyalty is very dangerous.
DeleteI so agree Nick, countries should move far beyond this mad flag-waving crap and get on with making a better world. And fixing their own messes. It's like we're stuck in those nauseating "good ol days" where slavery and intolerance were even bigger and women knew their place and racism wasn't even called that.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
www: Britain is slowly going backwards from a fairly enlightened country to one motivated by prejudice, belligerence and half-baked opinions.
DeleteI'm fairly patriotic I think. If we were allowed to have a flag outside our door, I would have one there but the way things are here right now I would probably be thought less of for doing it.
ReplyDeleteMary: People have got so obsessed with flags and what they signify, I think it's wise not to display one. There are less contentious ways of identifying oneself.
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