To think the Commonwealth has had its day?

[antelopevalley]

The Commonwealth is a colonialist institution based on a history of conquest and slavery.

"The origins of the Commonwealth come from Britain's former Empire. Many of the members of the Commonwealth were territories which had historically come under British rule at various times by settlement, conquest or cession. The administration of such colonies evolved in different ways, to reflect the different circumstances of each territory."
www.royal.uk/commonwealth

The Commonwealth Games have never been held in an African country. Although there have been exceptions, most years it is held in Britain, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Since 1930 it has only been held three times in other countries. Or seven countries if you include youth games and paraplegic games.

The Commonwealth has no clear role; it confers no trade privileges upon its members, does not coordinate their defence or foreign policy, and lacks both the budget and the executive authority to make a practical difference in the world.

It is a colonialist hangover that has no clear role and should be abolished.
AIBU?

Barbados is still in the Commonwealth

Hey, I'm not criticising him. He was right the first time.

I absolutely agree. I think that (like many on here) she has mistaken the Commonwealth for the British Empire.

no one is saying all homophobia everywhere is a result of British colonialism

How would you propose to “get rid of it” then OP?

How do you get rid of an entirely voluntary collective? Ban it? Make it illegal under international law? What would the punishment be for being in a commonwealth? Would it also apply to other commonwealths? (The one you take exception to is not the only one in existence you know.)

So when you lose you can bad mouth something, when you win you can shout it's the best thing since sliced bread.

He was angry because he lost. Nothing to do with how he felt. If he was that against it he wouldn't have competed, if it's 'only the comminwealth games' (he didn't have to he isn't at the Europeans) and he wouldn't have made the fuss he did when he won.

Well, his argument seemed to blame the British for it in some countries, so I don't know how he accounts for it in others.
Also, they have had a few decades to get rid. The UK isn't stopping them.

he was talking about commonwealth countries, why does he need to account for other countries? Obviously they have there own history and their own causes for honophobia

Very true, but he didn't really explain the case well at all. Certainly not why they continue with such practices as independent nations.

How many times? I know that Barbados is still in the commonwealth. I addressed that on the first page. I also said that their democratic rejection of the queen as head of state does rather tend to suggest that they aren’t over keen on being part of a loose association of ex-colonies. Which is what most of the members are. Yes, even Malaysia, which has its own king.

He didn't compete.

However he came on with a torch and was very involved in making sure LBQT+ athletes from oppressed counties felt their was inclusively and recognition not only for those athletes able to compete openly but also those who have to hide their sexuality to survive.

Still in and not wanting to leave. Most countries do not have the Queen as head of state but they've no desire to leave the commonwealth. But some people never let facts get in the way of their ideology.

Me too - thought it was a great way to do it. We watched 3x3 basketball - it was a mens match first, then women and then men's wheelchair and then women's wheelchair before they switched the teams and went through the same combination of events. It was fantastic!

It's nice to see very small places like Jersey, Guernsey, and small Pacific Islands competing and getting medals.

Well. They had some para events.

Some of the swimming and athletics races I watched had 6/7 athletes competing. A lot of the female swimming competitions didn't even have enough athletes for heats and finals.

It was inclusive but there weren't given equal gravitas at all.

Believe me - I know re swimming as my ds is a para swimmer.

deep seated honophobia doesn't just go away over night

Not too reluctant to stop them sending their biggest delegation of athletes to hang out with the ex-colonies at the 2022 games though..

Barbadian athletes want to compete internationally. So what? I doubt they went to the games because of a love for the commonwealth or its head!

Not another one. <sigh>

I also said that their democratic rejection of the queen as head of state does rather tend to suggest that they aren’t over keen on being part of a loose association of ex-colonies.

You've inferred wrongly. Barbados could have left the Commonwealth at any time but they've said that it's their interests to stay. They are in now the vast majority of countries in the Commonwealth that don't have the Queen as head of state. And yet they're all voluntarily in the Commonwealth where they believe their interests are best served. Unless, of course, you think these countries are too stupid to make the political decisions that serve their citizens best?

Barbadian athletes want to compete internationally. So what? I doubt they went to the games because of a love for the commonwealth or its head!

Whereas all the athletes at the Olympic games love the IOC! 🙄 Athletes compete in competitions they're eligible for. Politicians make decisions where their country's best interests lie. And Barbados have decided that they lie being in the Commonwealth.

But what do they get from being in the Commonwealth?
It does not achieve anything.

You seem to be making out they’re part of the Commonwealth but aren’t happy about it? They are allowed to leave

It achieves plenty. I posted a link upthread about the benefits it provides to Australia, from their government website.

Why do you think it doesn’t achieve anything? What do you think the Commonwealth actually is?

No, but some countries manage to be inclusive, don't they?.