Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked and actually quite sickened by this t shirt?

126 replies

geordieminx · 08/01/2011 16:24

I was in River Island earlier today, huge big display, centre of which was a (mens) t shirt emblazoned with "born in the uk".

Have I missed some totally innocent explaination for this? As far as I can see it's a poor excuse for racism and xenophobia.

It actually made me feel quite sick, it would be something I would expect to see on a BNP march, not in a high street store Sad

OP posts:
CheerfulYank · 08/01/2011 23:47

I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

Of course, I'm American and I instinctively flinch every time I mention being proud to be so. I am. So there. :o

mommmmyof2 · 08/01/2011 23:50

There is nothing wrong with that though Cheerfulyank, I get well annoyed to be British sometimes but if people want to walk around with t.shirts saying they are proud of where they are born, well good for them :)

PrincessScrumpy · 09/01/2011 00:04

What? So I can't tell people I was born in the UK because that makes me racist?!

You're an idiot - get a dictionary!

pigletmania · 09/01/2011 00:09

YABU, not racist at all and are overthinking it. BTW everyone of any race and ethnicity can be born in the UK not only White people Hmm

BuzzLightBeer · 09/01/2011 00:22

read the thread peeps.

And the reasons for the difference in expressions of patriotism in the UK is long and complicated, and is little if anything to do with the nonexistant "political correctness"

saintknickerless · 09/01/2011 00:24

YABa bit U in that it made you feel sick. I certainly wouldn't buy one though. I think it would much better suit an obese bald man with a bulldog tattooed on the back of hi head.

saintknickerless · 09/01/2011 00:25
  • I meant 'his' obviously.
BaggedandTagged · 09/01/2011 00:35

"If anyone is offended by that I have a corker to be worn the day Maggie dies, It is a picture of her with a stake through her heart and the words "the bitch is dead across the front". My mates daughter made it at art school and I intend to have copies made for guests at the celebration party."

What a nasty, bitter, vindictive woman you are. Let me know when you die (soon hopefully) and I'll have one made up specially for you.

confuddledDOTcom · 09/01/2011 00:40

I have a maternity T shirt that says "Made in the UK" with a pretty Union Flag on it.

My minister is Australian and when he talks to people they always say "Why did you come here?" like it's a horrible place to be and he doesn't understand it, he ends up trying to sell people their own country! How sad :(

I was in a group once where a black woman asked my friend (another black woman) where she was from, she said "England" and she was annoyed with my friend and told her she wasn't and where was her family from. We still talk about it, it made us angry because it's a form of racism. Why should being black stop her from taking pride in being English or identify herself as English?

Spidermama · 09/01/2011 00:43

Good on you Geordiemix. You took your flaming with good spirit and humility.

Smile
newwave · 09/01/2011 02:33

B&T how can I let you know when Im die, get a grip.

I hope we get a day off for Maggies funeral PARTY PARTY PARTY

newwave · 09/01/2011 02:33

Dooh

When im dead

pigletmania · 09/01/2011 09:53

I expect that other countires have similar T shirts like born in Cyprus (used that one as my mums from there), Turkey, Eygpt, means nothing. Whats happened to being patriotic and proud of your country.

PixieOnaLeaf · 09/01/2011 10:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

gorionine · 09/01/2011 10:36

I do not se anything wrontg with that slogan, it is patriotism, not racisme. I speak as someone who was not born in the UK but has children who were and although they are not British they were indeed born in the UK I would not mind them wearing that at all quite the opposite in fact, it could show the variety of people born in the UK from every faith and every colour!

flyingvisit · 09/01/2011 10:38

confuddled I can totally relate to that. I am Australian and NOT A DAY goes by without someone asking me "why on earth did you come here?"

pigletmania · 09/01/2011 13:06

Its like the Made In the UK t shirts that some people wear, copying the made in Britian or Uk lables that used to go with clothes and other merchandise.

GooseFatRoasties · 09/01/2011 13:17

YABU can't see what is racist or xenophobic about it. It is ok to be proud of your birthplace.

NinkyNonker · 09/01/2011 13:22

I do get what you mean.

GwynAndBearIt · 09/01/2011 13:43

newwave that's pretty tasteless, even for you

ILoveFrogs · 09/01/2011 17:15

I am completely stumped as to why you would find this racist, and to the point you would feel sick! Absolutely nothing remotely offensive or racist at all, you do know that people of all colours are born in the UK?

You're bonkers lol and obviously yes, YABVU!

LadyOfTheManor · 09/01/2011 21:23

If it's any consolation, I HEART Maggie T.

I might get a t-shirt made up with that on the front. Then again, I currently live in Wales, so probably not the best idea if I value my --life.

LadyOfTheManor · 09/01/2011 21:24

If it's any consolation, I HEART Maggie T.

I might get a t-shirt made up with that on the front. Then again, I currently live in Wales, so probably not the best idea if I value my life.

susiedaisy · 09/01/2011 21:39

Born in the UK is open to interpretation, but no i wouldnt buy it for anyone in my family, it says something but says nothing at the same time,

TheLadyEvenstar · 09/01/2011 21:41

DS2 had a few bibs when he was a baby 1 said "English and Proud" another said "The best looking baby in England" and the other said "Born in the UK"

Swipe left for the next trending thread