AIBU?
White British or something else?
Saltisford · 21/03/2021 07:27
Please settle a debate for me. Am I being unreasonable to tick something other than White British on the UK census form? White European?
My background is that I have one British grandparent, two Polish and one German but I was born in the UK.
What should I tick?
Am I being unreasonable?
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PrintempsAhoy · 21/03/2021 07:36
Haha do you not feel special enough as white British?
I’m a mix of European, have only had British citizenship for 3 years, am olive skinned yet put “White British”
Maybe I am wrong
Actually, it is confusing as “British” is nationality and “white” is skin colour
Are “Olive skin British” and “Black British” on there too? Can’t remember now
I think I lots of people won’t put “White British” as that is now a shameful thing to be in the eyes of the woke
Saltisford · 21/03/2021 07:41
One parent was born in the UK to Polish grandparents and the other in Germany but British Army hospital. Both have British passports.
I suppose my question is about ethnicity not nationality. I know my nationality is British but don’t think white British on the census reflects my heritage/culture?
Spillanelle · 21/03/2021 07:53
Interesting that most think OP should select White - British because she was born here. There is rarely an option on these forms for Black - British; even if you, your parents and grandparents were born here you generally have to choose Black - African, Black - Caribbean or Black - Other. Just an observation.
OP - I think you could probably either choose White - British or White - European. Whatever feels right to you.
Saltisford · 21/03/2021 07:56
But ethnicity isn’t a choice is it? It’s determined by your ancestors? (Oh no we’re getting deep now!)
I suppose I would like it to be accurate for researchers or my descendants doing future family research but I know my family will all choose different options.
PigeonPants · 21/03/2021 08:06
(In Scotland so no census, but) aren't there separate categories for something like (1) country of birth and citizenship/passport(s) held (2) national identity and (3) ethnic group?
For "ethnic group", I think it's completely reasonable to select "white British" AND tick other and write in "Polish, German" if you want. (The last Scottish census had "white Polish" as a choice, if I remember right.)
For national identity, it's supposed to what you feel your identity is, so if you also feel strongly Polish and/or German in terms of your own ties now, it's not unreasonable to say so. If you mostly feel British (English, etc.) with heritage from these other countries, you might just leave it at that.
Fucket · 21/03/2021 08:13
I’m British but identify with that part of my known ancestry I feel closest represents me and how I was brought up. My DH is welsh and he identifies as British - Welsh and my children we put down as British. I quite like that being British means we are all the same nationality but as we are melting pot of global cultures formed over 100 years we can identify as British and xxxx whilst simultaneously having a feeling of belonging to these Isles.
CecilyP · 21/03/2021 08:15
One parent was born in the UK to Polish grandparents and the other in Germany but British Army hospital. Both have British passports.
White British! You were born in Britain as was one of your parents, while to other would have been registered under British births abroad. So both your parents would also tick the white British box. I’m similar (including dad being born with the army, but in India) with one British grandparent but my Dutch mum was born in Holland. so while dad ticked white British, mum ticked white European. It still wouldn’t have occurred to me to tick anything other than white British as both words describe me.
If everyone with a similar background you put something else, it would really skew the results and not in a useful way. The census is for the benefit of the government to collect useful information about the population; it not for our pleasure to show how we feel about out heritage and culture!
DaisyWaldron · 21/03/2021 08:19
I have one grandparent with dual British/Irish nationality, one who got British citizenship through marriage to the dual national and two who aren't British at all. I usually go with White European. My husband is uncomplicatedly British and our children have more than half their family in England, and consider themselves to be British, so they always tick white British. It's about your heritage and culture.
Similarly, I always tick white, and my grandfather would probably have ticked white, but my great grandmother probably wouldn't. There's often not really a clear cut-off point in terms of assimilation.
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