So embarrassed to be English today

[UpSlyDown]

Usually I am slightly defensive of the criticism the English get but today I feel like I have nothing left to defend. Riots, defacing murals of wonderful role models for our children, racism, violence. Horrendous behaviour from a considerable number of English fans. We are just playing up to the thuggish, drunk, stupid stereotypes. That along with the decision to just open everything up which has been highly criticised for being bonkers, the never-ending shame of Brexit. For the first time I feel embarrassed to be English and associated with any of this. Having said that, I personally don't know a single person who behaved badly post match or spewed vile racism online (thank god). I also mainly socialise/spend time with left wing remainers it seems.

Does anyone feel the same? Are there any redeeming features of the English or are we doomed to be the laughing stock of the world? I was so proud of our football team (still am) and the unity and excitement everyone felt. Part of me thinks this would have been so different if we won but why should it be?! We should be able to respond to a disappointment like rational adults instead of abusive idiots.

I got so fed up of being asked about Brexit when abroad after the 2016 referendum result that as much as possible I hide being from these shores when abroad. No clothing that might identify it, no request for a menu or translation in a museum in English (choose French as I can understand it enough), and that was even before the current Prime Minister came into office.

Music from these shores is a gift to the world, many of our sports teams have punched above their weight, but far too many people in England are a shame and a disgrace.

Has anyone on here actually read the thread?

Where does it say that racism is tolerated?

‘I don't think ignoring poor behaviour and language is the solution, I think that is part of the problem.’

Well certainly they shouldn’t be ignored. That is why we have a criminal justice system, advocacy for victims, criminologists, community groups and so on.

I don’t think arguing with people on Twitter really resolves anything though.

I really enjoyed the first goal and the skill of all the players involved. That's enough for me, that breathtaking accuracy with the ball. What's happened since with the reported racism makes me not want to encourage competitive sport. It's brilliant that the English team achieved what they did, and watching them do it, and we need, perhaps, to build a narrative around the 'it's the taking part that counts theme' at a broadcasting level.

Most sensible people just pretend to be very competitive. But I think the pressure affects players, anyway.

You can't really feel responsible for bad behaviour you haven't wanted to do, and that you would never dream of doing. It is just a majority of thugs, I'm sure.

Minority of thugs.

Yes I have no doubt that it happens in other countries . But it’s the 38% rise in our County when England lose that we need to not ignore.

So why should women, the group it happens to, feel ashamed?

Jskei - British boorishness bred in to us? You speak for yourself but there is nothing boorish about me! I'm English and a lovely person!

Being honest what happened was no surprise for any person that follows our football team, or ever went to a game in real life. It was on the mild side of things. It's part of our football "culture", we're not unique, but we're in group of the "worst of the world".

On the other hand, the conduct of the players was great, real pros from the youngest to the oldest. We'll do well in the world cup!

@NursePye

Yes but you clearly hate the English and are stirring the shit with glee. You must be one of those non-English non-racist, non-xenophobic, non-partisan utopians who are always starting these goady threads?

Boorish response right there

@UpSlyDown YABVU.

It is a small minority of people who are racist, bigoted thugs. I am proud to be English, and think it's pretty offensive and insulting and rude, to say people should be ashamed to be English.

I'd love to see how far this team would have got if all the black players had refused to play.

We've got a fucking useless government that engages in dog-whistle racism as a tactic, so that they don't piss off the Tory-voting racists, Fucking Brexit, the demonisation of asylum seekers, etc.

The majority of the country voted for this shit. Football aside, it does not fill me with 'pride.' Embarrassment, shame, that kind of thing, yes, but the racists and their online abuse are just one obvious, hideous facet of the whole problem.

We have an openly racist, lying, populist, inept prime minister. Over the half the country looked the other way and voted for him. Racism thrives. The actions of these few should come as no surprise.

‘I'd love to see how far this team would have got if all the black players had refused to play.’

Why? Do you think countries where there are almost no black people are incapable of putting together a decent football team?

Yes, I'm absolutely ashamed to be British today. We showed our true colours last night and frankly it's embarrassing.

@HmmmmmmInteresting

I'd love to see how far this team would have got if all the black players had refused to play.

Good point!

They would have done well, as Kane and McGuire and Grealish and Shaw etc are very good. But the young black players are very good too.

They have added a lot to the team, and I am pretty sure we would not have beaten Germany if not for Raheem Sterling. We may not have made it to the quarter finals if not for him!

It wasn't women and girls rioting was it?
Maybe it's a problem with many young men.

We should expect better but it's just not an English problem alone.

@Youarestillintherunning

Yes, I'm absolutely ashamed to be British today. We showed our true colours last night and frankly it's embarrassing.

"I'm absolutely ashamed to be British today"

Oh dear.

I am SO embarrassed for you.

"The kind" and yet, it was the left that Rabbis up and down the UK were pleading for the populace to vote against? Pleading with us not to vote in Labour?

@HmmmmmmInteresting

I'd love to see how far this team would have got if all the black players had refused to play.

Would they have even qualified?

Btw...'virtue signalling' really is the new 'pearl clutching' on MN, isn't it?

It's a pathetic, grating, smirking attempt to close people down without actually engaging. I find that it often emanates from the kind of poster who says 'end of' at the conclusion of their excellent comments.

@NursePye

Has anyone on here actually read the thread?

Where does it say that racism is tolerated?

I said it.

@Youarestillintherunning

Yes, I'm absolutely ashamed to be British today. We showed our true colours last night and frankly it's embarrassing.

Who's we?

Oh, sorry, the English.

So, what will you specifically be doing to combat the cause of your crippling embarrassment? Anything at all? Or just hand wringing?

The people on here who aren't ashamed of being English for the disgusting behaviour seen are the reason why the team takes the knee for BLM. Why, even the Sky Team and Martyn Tyler were attacked and hounded out of their studio at Wembley.

The miscreants are criminals who should be brought to justice. Of course, they're also the reason for why the players felt nervous taking the kicks - because they knew what the consequences of missing would be. The players were right.

@NursePye

Has anyone on here actually read the thread?

Where does it say that racism is tolerated?

Exactly.

But why let the facts get in the way of a good opinion, eh.

Youarestillintherunning - What did you do last night that you're ashamed of?