I've never felt like this before. But over the past few months its become obvious, at least to my tiny brain, that the mainstream British media is trying to send the British public down a rabbit-hole of self-loathing.
Which areas of the British media are doing this? Because with all the sycophantic fawning over the royal family (yes, yes, congratulations! You were born!) and the "We won the war" from people whose closest connection to wartime is that they watch a lot of Dad's Army, all the references to the Good old days... The media seem fairly pro British to me.
England gave the world The Beatles, The Stones, Kinks; a universal language the world uses to this day. I fear we're sinking down a liberal sinkhole of self-loathing perpetrated by an over-educated liberal middle-class whose only interest is their own wealth. It's our history that makes true British people go out on their shield.
Over educated? Hmmm, I'm not sure there's such a thing, really. The universal language? You realise Britain didn't just send out dictionaries across the world so that the barbarians could prosper under one universal language (which it isn't, by the way.)
Middle class? Yes, I remember my middle class ancestors. Stupid, ivory tower Irish immigrants- I did wonder why they kept going on and on and on about the British atrocities in Ireland and the fact that their own language was now confined to Gaeltachts. And how, when they came over here to work, they were beaten up in the street by the proud salt of the earth British citizens and treated like criminals by the oh so infallible British police force. It must have been because they were a middle class liberal elite, of course!
Still, I do like the Beatles.
It's our history that makes true British people go out on their shield. There is no reason to be shamed about our history.
Now, I wasn't born when the British grew rich from kidnapping and selling Africans. Or when they allowed 10 million Bengalis to starve or when Churchill decided the fate of millions of Europeans on the back of a piece of scrap paper. I was not there for the opium wars or the slaughter of Australian aborigines.
But, as long as Dave (b.1965) gets to say "We won the war!" He also has to say "We committed atrocities across the world, profited off of them and still reap the benefits today." It cannot be "We did the good thing, they did the bad thing."
What would probably be the best option is if Dave and all the other Dad's Army fanatics learned as much as possible about the history of their country, the good and bad. They are not obliged to feel ashamed of it or proud of it but they should recognise that the reason they live in a comparatively rich nation is not only due to the creativity, innovation and genius of individuals but also due to the persistent cruelty of individuals as well.
Remember when England produced hope and talent? England gave the world: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, a universal language the world uses still to this day. I am fearing it's all going down a liberal sinkhole of self-loathing. It's our history that makes all Brits want to go out on their shield, not give-up and wave white flag. Okay, we made mistake. As an Englishman, I truly apologize. But we have to move on and learn. I think we have.
No, I don't remember that. You've said the next bit already. I'm not sure what you think you're surrendering to? And no, we haven't learned. At least, you haven't or you wouldn't come out with guff like this. And what do you mean by move on? What, in practical terms, does that mean for you?
Even I can see now that those that pervade the British media have no interest in Britain. I've always been neutral and I suppose as one gets older and matures into a fully grown adult one becomes more conservative. But the constant slating of Britain, it's colonial history, etc. etc. It's really getting to me now.
Why? Unless you support it, there's no real reason why it should bother you. It's quite hard to put a good spin on colonialism that stands up to any sort of scrutiny. British media have no interest in Britain? Anything to back that up with?
And, though it is of less importance, no, conservatism is not part of being a fully grown adult. That said, conservative is a rather euphemistic way to say "genocide apologist".
I don't think it's embarrassing to be proud of being English without being labelled a racist or fascist. I think it's good to be English (British). I always laughed to myself when I filled-out my USA immigration form on the plane, not being sure if I am from England, or the UK. Who gives a toss? It's all the same thing. As a Union we are strong.
English and British are not interchangeable words. I would agree with you that it's a shame that "proud to be British" indicates a racist for many people. Unfortunately, of all the people I've met who've described themselves that way, very few have done anything to dispel that stereotype.
England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland. All the political egos at work need to reign-in their self-absorbed personal hatred right now. We all need to join together to form a strong trading-bloc on the international stage.
God, if only we'd been part of a strong trading block. If only such a thing existed... I'm sure Britania's great leaders wouldn't be so self interested as to take us out of it. I mean, who cares if THEY profit off it, when they have our best interests at heart.