Is racism against the English acceptable?

[BabyBearRus]

We are currently on holiday in Wales and have just heard an altercation outside our holiday accommodation blasting the "bastard English who come to stay here". I'm shocked. I am half Welsh and half Irish, and spent much time in both countries. But also spent half my life in England. There has always been a jovial criticism of the English, e.g. during rugby internationals etc, but in recent years the tone has become more racist. I also find this resentful attitude towards the English amongst my Irish and Scottish friends. The English seem to be an acceptable people to hate. Surely this should be classed as racism? And, I'm saying this from a predominantly Welsh and Irish heritage. Yes, I am aware of the history of these isles, but when are we going to get over this? Truly baffled.

[znaika]

Sorry Worra I was on your side. Juat empathising that some cultures are definitely fair game right now and English is definitely one of them. It's driven by SM and it stinks and some people (including journalists) seem to think it's ok

[WorraLiberty]

@znaika

Sorry Worra I was on your side. Juat empathising that some cultures are definitely fair game right now and English is definitely one of them. It's driven by SM and it stinks and some people (including journalists) seem to think it's ok

I get what you mean, it's frustrating.

[VladmirsPoutine]

Thinking about this I think where the Scots managed to rebrand pretty effectively, by that I mean sanitise their history to a large extent, the English have never really achieved that indeed on the contrary are quite proud of the Empire and colonial vestiges - I reckon that might feed somewhat into these sort of anti-English sentiments.

[TheSkatesOfCoachBombay]

Second home ownership in Wales is being addressed, recently local authorities were given permission to raise the council tax on second homes by 100%.

It will take time, but I think second home ownership in Wales for holiday/self catering/Airbnb is not going to be as profitable as it once was.

In Autumn they are also opening up a consultation on Welsh language and communities in hit spot areas which will also impact how "second homes" are failing these communities.

[BabyBearRus]

TheSkatesOfCoachBombay again I see your point. I really do. We personally aren't running our "second" home as a profitable enterprise. We are simply using a longstanding family home. And yes we are prepared to pay additional council tax. My husband and family are also Welsh speakers (mist first language). Si, why should our family be penalised for having a second home in an area where many generations were born and raised?

[SorryWoman]

Its weird how if you mentioned something like WW2 and the holocaust in relation to germany (not even a century ago now) there would be a general recoiling as if you were being totally unreasonable (which you would be), but somehow the English are supposed to continue repenting for the empire.

I also think some national cultural identities only exist in the sense of being "not English" or "anti English": if they were to let go of anti English feeling, they would need to dig deeper to search for what the narrative is that holds the national community together in spirit. It's easier to just keep up the prejudice.

[BabyBearRus]

SorryWoman yes agree.

On another note, I live in Wales and my Irish and Scottish friends haven't experienced any prejudice. Unlike my English friends. I just don't think this is acceptable in our current age. Grow up people.

[sst1234]

@znaika

Sorry Worra I was on your side. Juat empathising that some cultures are definitely fair game right now and English is definitely one of them. It's driven by SM and it stinks and some people (including journalists) seem to think it's ok

It’s driven by the far left and it has slowly become an acceptable trait among the so called ‘progressives’, so goes mostly unchallenged.

[znaika]

I know about the anyone but England thing, this has been going on for years. But there's been a sudden uptick in really toxic bile spouted on social media, bizarre articles in American media. It feels like there's definitely a push from somewhere.

We know social media platforms control the narrative. Someone wants this out there.

[OuiOuiKitty]

I also think some national cultural identities only exist in the sense of being "not English" or "anti English": if they were to let go of anti English feeling, they would need to dig deeper to search for what the narrative is that holds the national community together in spirit. It's easier to just keep up the prejudice.

Wow! That is one heck of a statement and you agree OP? What countries do you feel don't have a national cultural identity away from being 'not English' or 'anti English?

[BabyBearRus]

OuiOuiKitty you have got me wrong. I definitely think that each nation has a distinctive identify. And that is a wonderful thing. I always cry when I sing the Welsh national anthem (as well as the English and Irish depending on the occasion). I am arguing that there shouldn't be an anti anything. And given that all our nations are such close neighbours, I honestly think we need to have far more comraderie than we currently have.

[Booboosweet]

All of Europe outside of England became Italian for the Euros. Italian flags were up in Ireland where I live.

[OuiOuiKitty]

@BabyBearRus

OuiOuiKitty you have got me wrong. I definitely think that each nation has a distinctive identify. And that is a wonderful thing. I always cry when I sing the Welsh national anthem (as well as the English and Irish depending on the occasion). I am arguing that there shouldn't be an anti anything. And given that all our nations are such close neighbours, I honestly think we need to have far more comraderie than we currently have.

Sorry, when you said 'yes agree' I presumed you meant you were agreeing with her.

[TheSkatesOfCoachBombay]

@BabyBearRus

TheSkatesOfCoachBombay again I see your point. I really do. We personally aren't running our "second" home as a profitable enterprise. We are simply using a longstanding family home. And yes we are prepared to pay additional council tax. My husband and family are also Welsh speakers (mist first language). Si, why should our family be penalised for having a second home in an area where many generations were born and raised?

BabyBearRus as you have a family link to the community and are not running it as a holiday home for profit you should be ok.

They are looking more at the homes run as Airbnb type things. Different people every week or two and then vacant for months .

[BabyBearRus]

TheSkatesOfCoachBombay I agree that there are second homes that are infrequently occupied. And yes, more needs to be done to address this as some communities become ghost villages out of season. We use a family home as a base to see our family (some are in care homes). But the house is practically occupied year round by family members who are taking it in turns to care for the elder members of our family. No easy answer though. But agree that more needs to be done to conserve local communities.

[Unsure1983]

@SorryWoman pretty sure that's because nearly everyone is 100% against the Holocaust, but start talking about the empire and you have all sorts of comments like, "the countries were better off as a result of being colonised" etcetera. Many British are proud of the empire to this day. Resentment exists for a reason.

[BabyBearRus]

Booboosweet same here. I actually felt queasy when everyone cheered when England missed a penalty. There used to be a light-heartedness to it, but I feel that has definitely changed in recent years.

[HauteGirlSummer]

It's not hate based on the colour of their skin and race so therefore not classed as racism.
However abuse is abuse and shouldn't be encouraged.
It's prejudice.

[OuiOuiKitty]

[quote Unsure1983]@SorryWoman pretty sure that's because nearly everyone is 100% against the Holocaust, but start talking about the empire and you have all sorts of comments like, "the countries were better off as a result of being colonised" etcetera. Many British are proud of the empire to this day. Resentment exists for a reason.[/quote]
I agree with this. Lots are also completely ignorant of the damage caused, I don't think you would find many Germans that don't know their countries history.

In my eyes it isn't comparing like with like.

[Dita73]

It’s not racism. I suppose this attitude is unacceptable but I can’t imagine many English people giving a shit

[TableFlowerss]

[quote Unsure1983]@SorryWoman pretty sure that's because nearly everyone is 100% against the Holocaust, but start talking about the empire and you have all sorts of comments like, "the countries were better off as a result of being colonised" etcetera. Many British are proud of the empire to this day. Resentment exists for a reason.[/quote]
People are proud of the fact the industrial revolution happened here and what that meant for the world in general.

People are proud of the fact the British soldiers helped win the world wars.

Yes there were some dark times in British history, but that could be said for many counties/empires.

[BabyBearRus]

Unsure1983 absolutely, colonialism is a contentious topic. And I am the first to condemn it. But, France, Portugal and Spain et al. are equally guilty of being colonists. But my original argument stands, why is England especially subject to such criticism?

[BabyBearRus]

P.s. I'm not being apologetic, but rather wondering why the English get such a negative press.

[LagunaBubbles]

Probably the constant overspill of “England” being used in place of “Britain” and the fact that Wales, Scotland and Irelandstillhave to shout to be noticed

There's something to this. Its tiresome. Already a reporter has had to apologise after referring to the womens football team at the Olypmics as "Team England". There's no way on earth they would ever be referred to as Team any of the other nations.