Is a St George cross an underlying sign of passive racism?

[ThatCyanJoker]

Walked past the house of a relatively new friend today and was surprised to see they’ve put up a huge flagpole, complete with St George cross flag flying high. I am generally patriotic , and put out the bunting for notable occasions without a second thought. I would probably be pleased had it been a Union Jack, but the St George has an undertone of racism to me, unless it’s flown for the football World Cup or something.
AIBU to reconsider friendship?

Nope. Displaying a flag which has been hijacked by racists is racist. Nuance and context. For example, flying the St George’s Cross on St George’s Day-not racist. Wearing a St George’s Cross while marching through a town centre and chanting anti immigrant slogans-racist. Flying the St George’s Cross during the World Cup-not racist. Putting St George’s Crosses up on all the lamp posts in a residential area-probably racist.

The racists are trying to hijack our flags. I don't know what these particular people's motives are, but I hate the fact that the racists are getting away with it and ordinary people now think of our flags as having a racist meaning.

We have had a St George’s flag up for the World Cup every year, I’m of Chinese descent though born and raised here. DH is white. Now we have the World Cup again and people immediately assuming it’s racist has made me think well do we just not have it up this year?

Because it’s easy to jump on the bandwagon and call everyone flying a flag racist. Pathetic really.

Exactly, and at that point the racists have won when ordinary people feel they can't use their own flag for fear of being labelled racist. Can you fly a world cup flag as well?

Do you think the people who put St George’s Flags on lampposts or paint them on road signs are ever doing it for non racist reasons?

It would put me off. Reform voters probably, These flags are often being put up to intimidate ethnic minorities.

But as PP have said, all churches fly the George cross. Our civic buildings also do. Are you saying they are all racists?

Our neighbours have a small side window in their dining room and they have a teddy that sits on the window sill facing out. That teddy has an impressive wardrobe. Dressed like a witch on Halloween, Santa at Christmas etc. Last week in a dress with the English flag. On St George's day. I'm pretty sure they're not racist. She's British but her husband is Antiguan.

It gets worse. This organisation are exporting their vile flag of hatred to vulnerable people around the world...

https://donate.redcross.org.uk

@CurlewKate we are not talking about that. The op is talking about a friend who coincidentally was flying a flag near St George’s Day and jumping to the conclusion she is racist.

Yes or worse.

Clearly different than flying one flag all the time.

No I don't

I don’t know, they may be but also may not be. We are looking to move and one house we are interested in is opposite a house with one and it has put me off a fair bit. My mother was from a European country and I had a lot of of hassle for it growing up so it has made me cautious.

When I see a flagpole I assume the owner is about 75 and white OR a football/rugby supporter. I don't assume racist but they might be a bit.

Lots of faux outrage from those that conveniently forget the historical weaponisation of the flag by groups such as the the National Front and the English Defence League.
‘Operation Raise the Colours’ co-founded by Tommy Robinson and Andrew Currien aka Andy Saxon (haha) - formerly of the EDL and running security for Britain First. Really unpleasant people who stoke violence and division.

So it’s possible to have no problem with the flag but hate the way it has been co-opted by these far right pieces of work - and therefore be a little bit more wary of the intent of those who fly it (and those who defend it with such aggression).

Rage bait from the OP I reckon!

I think it’s a tough one but when you drive through places that are full of people who take no pride in themselves or their local area, who allow their houses to fall into disrepair and for their communities to be, frankly, awful, who then put up the cross on roundabouts and electricity units, you know what it’s about.

Being wary, is not the same as asserting anyone with the flag is racist, as we have seen in this thread.

I guess you take that up with them not me?

Get a grip 🤦‍♀️

We did and you called it faux outrage.

Plenty of faux outrage on this thread to go around - pol pot!!!!

It's definitely still a racist thing where I live. Streets full of St Geroge's flags, erected by groups affiliated with Tommy Robinson, mostly in the more working class areas of the city while the most affluent are flag-free.

I’m sick of people saying it racist,it’s a sign of being a Christian country!im proud of my country and for being a Christian,dont like it then leave!