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.

@JaniieJones

'England need to be banned from the next Euros as a consequence of the disgraceful behaviour of their fans through this tournament and the lack of security at Wembley to control rampaging mobs.'

Sighs.

Wembley should have had more security and organisation in place.

Some football fans of all nationalities behave appallingly. Didn't thousands of Scots descend on London without tickets? Sturgeon would've had a right strop if England fans had rampage through Scotland.

Some people behave badly.

I'm sure if England had been playing in Scotland then English fans would have appeared

On Channel 4 news now. Angela Rayner confused British with English. Priti Patel was talking about 'our' football team. No wonder some of you on here get mixed up.

I love being English. A few ignorant people don't make me feel ashamed. In fact, looking at the overwhelming majority if the population calling them out over it, just adds to my pride. There are racists in every country - lol at poster's asking if it happens in any other country.

I'm ashamed. I always thought the racist stream came from my grandparents generation but I'm coming around to the realisation that it's my generation and that makes me sick.

We don't say people are 'disliked' because of where they come from do we?

I suspect we do actually, albeit as a low level.
Hand on heart, tell me you've never said, or heard people say things like:

'The Americans love their guns'
'The Aussies can be a bit backward'
'The Germans are very efficient'

Or slightly less subtly...

'Really not keen on the Americans'
'They don't have any respect for women in Saudi'
'They pump their athletes with drugs in Russia'

Such things to get set. I don't say it's hatred, but it's certain how a dislike of a nationality.

The most depressing thing about this country is the government, and its populist compliance with prejudice and narrow mindedness. Elsewhere there's plenty to celebrate.

How does the "hatred of the English" people are aghast at on here translate into real life? If you want to experience hatred, don a hijab for a week. That might offer a better experience of hatred, then you can think about how it ought to be dismantled. "Your England" isn't as rosy as you think.

@VerticalHorizon

We don't say people are 'disliked' because of where they come from do we?

I suspect we do actually, albeit as a low level.
Hand on heart, tell me you've never said, or heard people say things like:

'The Americans love their guns'
'The Aussies can be a bit backward'
'The Germans are very efficient'

Or slightly less subtly...

'Really not keen on the Americans'
'They don't have any respect for women in Saudi'
'They pump their athletes with drugs in Russia'

Such things to get set. I don't say it's hatred, but it's certain how a dislike of a nationality.

Well said

*The Americans love their guns'
'The Aussies can be a bit backward'
'The Germans are very efficient’

The Aussie one is a bit !

I mean being efficient isn’t that bad but backward..

I think when you live in multiple places or have more than one citizenship it helps cut down on this stuff

Stereotyping is one thing and common @VerticalHorizon I agree, the comments stating 'everyone hates the English' are another.

It's very unpleasant all this bile. Is it jealousy I wonder as our country is so brilliant? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 < runs >

@Blessex

Are you white, by any chance? Your England and my England sound quite different...

@VerticalHorizon

We don't say people are 'disliked' because of where they come from do we?

I suspect we do actually, albeit as a low level.
Hand on heart, tell me you've never said, or heard people say things like:

'The Americans love their guns'
'The Aussies can be a bit backward'
'The Germans are very efficient'

Or slightly less subtly...

'Really not keen on the Americans'
'They don't have any respect for women in Saudi'
'They pump their athletes with drugs in Russia'

Such things to get set. I don't say it's hatred, but it's certain how a dislike of a nationality.

I think there's a difference between casual stereotyping - which I agree we all do, even if we think we don't - and actively hating people based on their nationality.

I don't think any stereotyping should be considered casual All stereotyping means assigning a set of characteristics to a group of people instead of looking at them as individuals , this leads to dehumanising

@Christinayangtwistedsister

I don't think any stereotyping should be considered casual All stereotyping means assigning a set of characteristics to a group of people instead of looking at them as individuals , this leads to dehumanising

It can do if we're not prepared to have our stereotypes challenged when we actually meet with real live people.

But saying that 'Germans are punctual' or 'Italians are stylish' isn't the same thing as actively hating entire nationalities.

'think there's a difference between casual stereotyping - which I agree we all do, even if we think we don't - and actively hating people based on their nationality.'

Yes. I've worked with many nationalities and of course because of shared culture behaviour may be similar. However I've yet to say, for example, 'I can't stand Filipinos' or 'I hate Americans'. I would sound absolutely offensive, racist and sorry to say it again but xenophobic.

Can the posters chucking around the wild generalisations please educate themselves on this. It isn't ok.

I think there's a difference between casual stereotyping - which I agree we all do, even if we think we don't - and actively hating people based on their nationality.

I agree there is, but I didn't want to then post the next level of dislike.

The poster used the term 'dislike' which is what I was responding to.

Still, it's not too many steps to the point of hatred (in some people). If you catch people at the right time, in the right circumstances, you don't have to look hard to find 'I hate the Americans' or 'The effing Chinese' etc.

Some can be nicer than others ‘Italians are stylish’ for eg

But where does Aussies are backwards come from?

What pisses me off about the (significant in numbers!) minority of our supporters is that some of them are fairly well known, i.e., you get to see some familiar faces at games, they are pointed out to you, advised to stay well away, etc.

The clubs know these people too. I laughed when in 2014 I saw one of our supporters interviewed on Sky about his harsh treatment in Lille as he showed a bruised shoulder.

I really don't know what the solution is. But I'm not surprised nobody likes to see English fans appear. I wouldn't like it near where I live either.

Nobody will enjoy playing against us either. A strong, well organised team; Italy were slightly better but I think we could have won ... next time :)

@babbaloushka

How does the "hatred of the English" people are aghast at on here translate into real life? If you want to experience hatred, don a hijab for a week. That might offer a better experience of hatred, then you can think about how it ought to be dismantled. "Your England" isn't as rosy as you think.

You're right babba although I don't know if it's any different here in Scotland. I don't know because I don't wear a hijab. It all comes down to respect doesn't it.

Agree with @JaniieJones. I've worked with a lot of different nationalities. Disliked the odd person, but have yet to find a whole nationality that I didn't like. Although I do think stereotypes exist for a reason. I see ya, you noisy Italians.

'If you want to experience hatred, don a hijab for a week. That might offer a better experience of hatred, then you can think about how it ought to be dismantled. "Your England" isn't as rosy as you think.'

Likewise if I walked around Riyadh without a hijab and only an abaya I too would get side eyes and possible abuse. It's not ok but it certainly isn't only in England, the narrative that we're all white supremacists in this country is racist and offensive. We are one of the most diverse and inclusive.

It's no use us celebrating that we as individuals don't have any dislike, let alone hatred of any particular nationality or race - it's acknowledging that far too many amongst us do.
Racism is never far away. It's not gone away, and whilst it MIGHT have diminished, it also might just be slightly better hidden.

@IcedPurple

*Any Italian insight from an Italian? Nope. We had Klinnsmann talking to Gabby Logan pitchside.*

Not sure how you could have missed Alessandro Nesta standing right beside him.

Or Alex Del Piero being interviewed for the semi-final.

Both Italians as far as I am aware.

I checked with DS and you're right. I must have been on the wine by then

@VerticalHorizon

It's no use us celebrating that we as individuals don't have any dislike, let alone hatred of any particular nationality or race - it's acknowledging that far too many amongst us do. Racism is never far away. It's not gone away, and whilst it MIGHT have diminished, it also might just be slightly better hidden.

No one disputes that but it's this constant assertion that the English are worst of all!! of course because of colonisation and the empire. We don't hold current nations responsible for their ancestors actions yet we do with the English.

@JaniieJones

'If you want to experience hatred, don a hijab for a week. That might offer a better experience of hatred, then you can think about how it ought to be dismantled. "Your England" isn't as rosy as you think.'

Likewise if I walked around Riyadh without a hijab and only an abaya I too would get side eyes and possible abuse. It's not ok but it certainly isn't only in England, the narrative that we're all white supremacists in this country is racist and offensive. We are one of the most diverse and inclusive.

She hasn't said we are all white supremacists , she is sharing her experience of racism in this country , one which you have failed to acknowledge but yet again have replied with " what about them"