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.

So you have not made any attempt to get to know these people but have decided that you don’t like them.
Are you a Reform voter?

I’m the granddaughter of immigrants and I’m Jewish. You could put a poster up supporting the Jewish community who lost two members to a terror attack in Manchester if you like. That would be really brave!

You’re conflating issues here. Factually, Muslims follow a religion, Muslims are not a particular race or ethnic origin.

Similarly my children are those of an immigrant and not mixed race. And an illegal immigrant at that… my mother failed to register me and I only discovered in my final year of uni that I was here illegally having overstayed my visa. But I am white, drive a BMW and live in Surrey so the OP’s flag waver would probably be okay with me… 🤦🏽‍♀️

No you are.

Eh? Where on earth have I said that people shouldn't be allowed to fly flags in their own houses or gardens, or that they shouldn't be allowed to engage in legal protests about immigration or whatever. I think you'll find that I haven't argued against anyone's right to freedom of expression.

But of course, if someone uses their freedom of expression to tell me that they're a racist twat, then I am free to draw my own conclusions about them on the basis of what they have chosen to express. And indeed, I can exercise my own freedom of expression to say what I think of their views.

I wholeheartedly respect and support your right to hold an opinion that might be different from my own. That doesn't mean that I have to respect or support the opinion itself. You seem to be somewhat confused about the difference.

Yes probably unfair. I was just saying the dad looks like a standard white bloke in response to someone asking if there's any indication they're racist. To be very clear I don't correlate the two. My own DP looks very similar. It's not like ppl walk around with the word 'racist' or 'far right supporter' tattooed to their forehead. They live among us and I guess it's just a wake up call to me about how prevalent these views are.

Think you aren’t understanding they want them to unite, which means they embrace everyone.

Am not that brave, but I did write to the Head Rabbi of our local synagogue to send my condolences and express my horror. Not much in the scheme of things and not putting myself on the line, though.

I feel freedom of speech is different to a hate campaign. Where do you draw the line?

Ah “dog whistle” the terminology of the leftist liberal squad.

It's shite OP. But I take it as a positive in some ways because now I know which of my neighbours are moronic bellends that I'll never take in parcels for etc.

@CountFuculaI have ‘brown’ family members and my grandparents were immigrants. I have no issue with the flag. I have encountered racist views by white/brown and people of different cultures. It is more prevalent than people think.

TR has a wingman of ‘colour’ too. I wonder what he thinks?

Personally I am live and let live but there is a huge problem with illegal immigration here. It needs to be controlled.

Hahah love this

Two points. I think we can use racist to mean against a religious group too. Any hate shown towards a “people” is racist.
Secondly, anyone can be racist, including Muslims. I’m not saying they are, I’m just saying that being a member of a group doesn’t make you not racist if you see what I mean?

According to racists

Just let them be. If anything it’s an indicator of people to steer clear from and I like when people tell on themselves. Saves you the trouble.

Thank you. That’s extremely kind.

I find it quite handy to know who to avoid in the locality when newly erected flags have been put up.

Many with existing flags in their garden have then theirs down presumably as it is now associated with “Unite the Kingdom” and Tommy Robinson.

Says who? And so what? You clearly don't know everyone who ever flew a national or union flag in their garden, yet you are stating confidently that only people who are 'far right' have done it. That's just your small minded prejudice showing.

Just because we apparently don't have a 'tradition' of something doesn't mean it's wrong or bad to want to do it. What if people wanted to make it a tradition from now on? Ordinary, patriotic, non-far right people?

There was no tradition of displaying the rainbow flag either, until relatively recently. I trust you wish to complain about the people doing that too, and cast aspersions on their characters?

I know nothing about them. They're two doors over. I know my immediate neighbours and everyone is lovely.

No, I haven't decided that I don't like them. But I certainly know that I don't like who/what they're aligning themselves with in flying this particular flag. I'd like to believe that their heart is in the right place somehow, and I will be trying to convince myself of that, if only to make it more bearable to look at this bloody flag every day.

@UrticaDioca YANBU OP and I don't blame you for being upset. I agree that if it were just the Union flag you could interpret it as a British patriot wanting to reclaim their flag from the racists, but the addition of the words "Unite the Kingdom" are a reflection of the "Unite the Kingdom" rally organised by Tommy Ten Names in London in September this year which was nationalistic and racist, not patriotic (and was met by Stand Up to Racism - SUTR - counter-protesters).
Unfortunately, as you've already stated, there's nothing you can do but rise above it. Or maybe fly a Union flag from your shed with the initials SUTR on it ... 😉 I'm sorry you're having to tolerate this OP, but sadly, bigots and ignoramuses exist everywhere - maybe just pity him.

“Standard white bloke”

bit weird OP

Should I pretend to be surprised at some of the 'it's just a flag' bullshitting on this thread? No, I can't be arsed. There's a very big difference between flying a flag and flying a flag bearing a slogan which has widely known far right connotations. Yes, it's the guy's own property. He can do what he likes. And people can draw their own conclusions about what an arsehole he is.
Stop pretending not to understand this.

Yes that would be true.