Neighbour has put up huge Unite the Kingdom flag

[UrticaDioca]

I am gutted. I haven't seen a single flag in my town, and suddenly this union jack goes up two doors over with the words 'Unite the Kingdom' printed on it in capital letters. The flag is huge and flying from a pole on top of their shed, but it's in their own garden so nothing can be done.

I am the daughter of an immigrant mother and therefore mixed race. Now I have to see this fucking flag waving at me every time I look out of my kitchen or living room windows.

This.

I’m not someone who has a flag up, I’m pro immigration and think we should be doing more for refugees. But I would very much like to see a more united UK and don’t object to more patriotism (I like the way it’s done in other countries who have a sense of national pride).

Put up your own flag. Take back the symbol of the flag from racists and it loses its power when migrants and liberals are also proudly displaying it.

Why bother posting if you can't be arsed to read the thread. This has been explained multiple times, as if you didn't already know before posting in any case.

I think you aren't understanding current affairs.

People just see "flag" and copy paste a PATRIOTISM reply.

The faux naivity is really tiresome, itsn't it? Oh, how could anyone possibly object to our national flag? Of course Tommy Robinson isn't racist. He's just been invited to Israel by an Israeli minister! He loves the Jews! Even though the Board of Deputies of British Jews have condemned this invition.

Put up your flag if you want to. But not defaced with the slogan of a racist organization. WHY IS THIS SO HARD TO GRASP?

The only conclusion that I can come to is that there are a frankly shockingly large number of posters on here who want to normalise the use of flags displaying racist slogans as "pride in your country". The poll numbers are pretty depressing as well.

Well he obviously doesn't like Jake Shields, whoever he is.
But this doesn't really explain why you think 'Unite the Kingdom' is racist.

Or, much more likely, the majority of the population are not actually racist at all, but are concerned about uncontrolled immigration.

Completely agree with you and someone claiming it was 150,000 racists on the march is simply ludicrous!

Nice to see you don't assume all 'flag shaggers' are racist.

Why do you believe is it odd to fly a flag in the UK? Do you apply this opinion apply to others?

Well no it isn't a problem because the demand for housing is such that house prices are only going up!

What do you mean by 'your properties haven't sold' ? That is sounding dangerously close to classism. The things you are saying are simply not based on fact.

FYI my house isn't up for sale.

Agreed.
But some find this concept difficult to grasp...

That is untrue. A Google search may offer 'flags COULD reduce prices' or meaningless opinion polls but there is no statistical evidence to support this whatsoever.

Because it’s not inherently a racist phrase.

If everyone of all creeds started hanging banners that said “Unite the Kingdom”, you’d soon see the Tommy Robinsons of the world floundering as you’ve taken all of the power out of their statement.

Like how the LGBT community took back the word queer and now it largely isn’t a slur and is an accepted identity.

An “if you can’t beat them, join them” strategy.

What’s your idea to disempower a racist minority?

Loads of people are concerned about immigration. That does not make you a racist. Allying yourself with racists does though.

OP, it's always possible that they might be a bit clueless and just feel as if they're being patriotic. It's also possible that if they do know what it means, it's focused on the small-boat arrivals, like a PP said. They might think that Britain has too much uncontrolled immigration right now. Remember that old saying "Never assume"?? I totally understand why this flag would be triggering, but there's a good chance you're upsetting yourself for no reason. Having an issue with the small boats doesn't equate to wanting everyone with non-white skin out of the country, including those who were born here. Yes, they could be racist dicks, but considering the climate right now, it's most likely about the boats. Sending hugs xxxx I prescribe a nice cup of tea and a favourite biscuit.💐

That's not technically true. Most sensible adults have the emotional intellect to be able to separate a person from aspects of their beliefs.

I'm certain vegetarians would have a lot in common with Hitler's dietary choices, it doesn't mean they agree with the holocaust.

You weren't being an idiot at all. What you wrote was perfectly clear - the clue was in the "mixed race". PP were being pedantic and splitting hairs. 🙄 It was totally obvious that you meant one of your parents is non-white.

Absolutely this. If it were "just the flag" I wouldn't have an issue with it, but adding the name of Tommy Ten Names' September rally to it makes it something quite different: bigoted, nationalistic and racist. The disingenuous people on here need to stop pretending they don't see this - because we see them - and they're not fooling us.

"Pride in your country" isn't a racist slogan; it's a positive statement. I've googled it and can't see a connection with any public figure. What do you mean?

“Pride in your country” isn’t a racist slogan, no. But what is happening is that people are taking racist slogans and actions, and softening and normalizing as meaning simply pride in your country. That is very clearly happening on this thread.

Eh?

It's the Unite the Kingdom words. That's Tommy Robinson's slogan. In all likelihood they're flying it because of the small-boats issue, but I can see how non-white British people might be wary, just in case it means they're as racist as him.

@AnnaFrith "But this doesn't really explain why you think 'Unite the Kingdom' is racist."
The London rally last month, organised by Tommy Ten Names, was called "Unite the Kingdom" and this is why it's seen as racist. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is a vile, racist thug who only wants to unite the UK citizens he approves of (white men).