To ask those who are not white brittish how they feel about the flags?

[PicaK]

Birmingham and Tower Hamlets are having St George England flags put up by privately funded groups.
I'm horrified by the implicit racism. I've seen a lot of white people applauding this and "time we took back the country" comments.
I haven't seen many non white people commenting. My feel is that they are too intimidated to do so. Am I right? Or is it indifference or is it that you're dealing with racism on a daily level and this is just one more thing.
Please don't post if you're white.whatever you feel about the flags. I want to hear on white viewd

Well presumably that's something that was organised by the local authority, and probably not attached to every lamppost in the town for an indefinite period of time? This is being done by a group of individuals without authorisation. They are being attached to lampposts outside people's homes with no consideration as to how they feel about it, in view of far right associations with the flag here

Yes, you can put your flag up.

Well presumably that's something that was organised by the local authority, and probably not attached to every lamppost in the town for an indefinite period of time? This is being done by a group of individuals without authorisation. They are being attached to lampposts outside people's homes with no consideration as to how they feel about it, in view of far right associations with the flag here

Bit like Palestinian flags being put up with the like it or lump it view. Approach everybody the same or not at.all - talking to you, Labour councils.

Bartley Green girlie here too!!

Just asked my partner. He's Irish. So yes, white, but there's one hell of an issue with English/British flags in very recent Irish history and there's still ENORMOUS flag sensitivity in Northern Ireland. And within living memory, Irish people weren't welcome among large parts of English society.

Anyway, his view is he doesn't care. If people want to celebrate St George's day or celebrate England football then he's just shrugged and said "they can knock themselves out". He doesn't feel intimidated or think it's racist or xenophobic or whatever. He's always found it funny that English people celebrate St Patrick's day more than St George's day.

Anyway, from my perspective (white British but who's spent about half my life not living in Britain) a flag is just a flag. It's what you do with it that causes a problem. Waving one around when the Lionesses score, or because it's a royal wedding or St George's day or whatever is neutral. Waving one around on an NF rally or to try to intimidate people is horrendous. In your example it's unclear what the intent is - but if it's being done to try to make people feel uncomfortable then that's disgraceful.

The more people do the former (use a flag as a positive thing) the more the kind of people who do the latter (using it to intimidate) will look like right idiots and the flag they use to try to intimidate people will become no more loaded or offensive than someone waving a bunch of flowers around. Other countries wave their flags with pride, even if it looks a bit cringe in my eyes. There's no reason why it shouldn't return to being like that in England but it takes people to stop being absolute dicks about it and understand that, at present, it can be a very loaded sign.

The English flag isn’t British. It’s English.

It's a nonsense to suggest that flying the St George's flag implies racism. It's the flag of England and it does not belong, and never has, to a minority of English not-very-bright, knuckle-dragging, right wingers. The ancient church in our local, large multicultural town flies the St George's all year round and always has. I've never seen or heard any objection to this.

The flags were not put up for the Euros. If that was the case it would just be the George Cross

The flags were not put up for the Euros. If that was the case it would just be the George Cross

I'm so sorry that you went through that. That's just absolutely horrific.

I understand what you're saying.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, there is always racism (and anti-Semitism, come to that). I just don't know what to say, because I cannot relate to thinking that way at all and because it's so vicious - and so fucking stupid - that I can't fathom how anyone could hold those views.

I suppose the only comfort you can derive from it is that anyone who acts that way immediately outs themselves as a complete fucking moron who's not good enough to lick your boots.

Have you read Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch? It was quite eye-opening for me as a white Brit.

I agree with you on that

I’m mixed race, my dad is half white, half japanese, my mum is ethnically Malaysian though British born.

unfortunately, if I see an English flag or even a union flag flying I’m wary of that person. I don’t like that I feel that way, but from past experience lots of people who fly those in their gardens etc are also the kind of people who see me and my kids and think we need to go back where we came from and are very keen to tell us so these days.

I’m mixed race and don’t look white. I’m happy to see the English flag, as are my family. Are you triggered when you see the Italian or Spanish flags? It’s not racist to put up your country’s flag and we don’t need white people like you making weird comments.

Oh OP, firstly you cannot decide who comments on a public forum. Secondly, why should British folk not hang British flags in their own country, exactly? I see myself as Scottish first and foremost, but have no problem with British flags.

When I go to the States, they proudly display their flag all over the place and its about time we started renewing our pride in our flag be it the British Union Jack or the English St George flag etc

Flying the St George’s Flag in England isn’t inherently racist—it’s a symbol of national identity and pride for many people. But the conversation around it is nuanced, and that’s where things get interesting.

Why It’s Not Racist by Default
Historical and cultural significance: The flag represents England and its patron saint, St George, who was adopted in the 14th century. It’s flown during national celebrations, sporting events, and St George’s Day.
Patriotism vs nationalism: Displaying the flag can be a way to express pride in one’s country, heritage, or community—just like people do in Scotland with the Saltire or Wales with the Red Dragon.
Legal and social acceptance: There’s no law or official stance that equates flying the flag with racism. In fact, many local councils and national institutions use it during official events.

Why It Can Be Perceived as Controversial
Far-right associations: Over the years, some extremist groups have co-opted the flag to push nationalist or exclusionary agendas. This has led to discomfort, especially among minority communities who may associate it with intolerance or xenophobia.
Football hooliganism and political rhetoric: The flag has sometimes been linked with aggressive behaviour or divisive political movements, which can taint its image for others.
Multicultural sensitivity: In diverse cities like Birmingham, some residents feel that widespread flag displays can unintentionally signal exclusion rather than unity, depending on the context and intent.

So where do I stand and what can we do about it! It’s all about intent and context. Flying the St George’s Flag to celebrate England, support a football team, or mark a national holiday is not racist. But using it to promote exclusionary or supremacist views? That’s where the line gets crossed!

The St Georges Flag represents my multicultural nation and is fully inclusive. Those that hijack it, need dealing with and one of the best ways for the nation to show their contempt for that attitude is by proudly displaying our flag and embrace all!

I'm a white British brummie and I hate them, where I live they took down the Palastine flags and replaced them with the St George Cross so it was pretty obvious what the intent was. I love Birmingham for its diversity, inclusiveness and the fact that it's an amazing example of different cultures integrating and getting along. Racists have no place in our city

You pair of riff raff 😆 🤣 Kings Heath, here x

Well, banning white people from voting is blatant racism.

I think you are being disingenuous at best here, you know exactly what they mean about taking ‘their’ country back.

im non white British. I’m not offended but I do inwardly giggle to myself when I drive past homes that display them. I can’t help but feel racists love there! I guess it’s because of the connotations but it doesn’t bother me either way. A bit silly for anybody to have an issue with a country’s flag tbh!

What point do you think you're making?

Imagine putting the St George flag, over a Palestinian flag, in an English city. Who would have thought it. I find that very hard to believe, anyway. There doesn't have to be one or the other - well unless its in the country's second capital city and it won't be the home flag that will take precedence.

It’s a definite cultural difference @Piggywaspushed!

Are you being deliberately obtuse? I'll assume so. Research the group that are putting them up and tell me it's not racist