AIBU to think my colleague's anti England comment was rude?

[ProudBlackMomma]

What would you make of this? A colleague declared in front of the whole team in the office the other day that she’d never ever support England in any sport due to their history colonialism. Personally I think it’s rude and fails to read the room. Most people had been enjoying cheering on England in the World Cup so to hear this felt a bit like raining on the parade. This woman is African but living in England and reaping all the benefits that come with that. I’m Black too but proud to say I’m English and happy to cheer on the players, who include plenty of black men who I assume also cheer on England!!

I always find it interesting that immigrants to the US are happy to be there. Fly the US flag in the front yard and happily have the kids pledging allegiance. Work hard to get a slice of the American dream. Whereas immigrants to the UK seem to have no such allegiances, despite the UK offering a better “free” standard of living to them than the US (namely healthcare and tax credits if needed).

All this to say, if your colleague was in the US, I guarantee that she’d have been cheering on her adopted homeland.

Being rude is quite subjective actually. No one said she is speaking for all black people, only you are. You can respect the place you live in, but you don’t necessarily need to clap for it in every sporting event or generally

Of course you don't need to clap for it. No need to go on about it to those that do though. That's rude.

Remind your colleague that slavery started with black people selling other black people!!!

I suspect 2 causes:

immigrants to the US don’t come from its Empire. The UK’s do very largely, with all the baggage that brings.

The UK has pursued multiculturalism which implies a different relationship between the immigrant and the host nation than that fostered by the

Exactly. She needs the give her head a wobble.

Isn’t there a saying - if you don’t love the country you live in, live in the country you love? She obviously doesn’t like this country!

I may agree if she was benefiting and giving nothing but as she is working here presumably she is paying her taxes like the rest of us and therefore contributing.

Unnecessary - likely. But you said it was an insult. I don’t see any insult there.

Your example about Nigeria doesn’t work as it’s not factually accurate and she didn’t say anything about disliking England. Did you read the OP? She said she won’t support England because of our history. Where is the insult in that?

Why do you think she dislikes England as a country? Because she chooses not to support the English team?

That makes no sense. It’s like referring to World War II as starting due to “white people invading other white people.”

Free healthcare at the point of use (regardless of how much NI paid), free education for any kids she may have, minimum wage regardless of what job she has, a safety net via the welfare state if required...these are the things that spring to mind immediately.

I think you are making wild generalisations. You will find many immigrants in the UK who love it here and many in the USA who actively criticise it and don’t fly the flag. It’s all individual.

It was a bit crass but I think we have to get used to the sins of the fathers being visited on their great, great grandchildren. Most people in the UK had a tough time and very few got rich. I mean, has she not read Dickens?

Its something that it’s ok to say.

It was a bit crass but I think we have to get used to the sins of the fathers being visited on their great, great grandchildren. Most people in the UK had a tough time and very few got rich. I mean, has she not read Dickens?

Its something that it’s ok to say.

Do you not work with Scottish and Irish people then ?!

We see it differently.

I don’t care what team this lady supports - that’s totally up to her. But why did she need to say what she said to English colleagues? Does she not like her colleagues?

She can’t feel THAT antagonist to England (sic) since she’s made the free choice to live and work here. I find people who want to have it both ways really irritating. If you’ve got that much of a beef with England…what are you doing here??

Jealousy is never a good look. Smile and move on.

I have not seen anything of those territories saying they desire independence. (That question will already have been asked and answered if they are still territories).

All the same, the history of Lundy Island is an eye opener

So everyone really believes this is a black poster expressing her disappointment in another black person's behaviour at work...on Munsnet... reallly??

Yes.

How much financial aid (that was with no strings attached?)

That’s very weird. My boss loves England as a country, has an English husband and has lived here most of her life. She still refuses to support England in football though citing her Scottishness. I have family members who don’t support England because of black players when they miss a penalty / lose. They don’t hate England though.

She did not say (allegedly) she wishes the worst for them. Just that she does not support them.

To be clear I am responding to other posters who are posting in good faith but I have the same view as you on the OP. I also doubt very much that any Nigerian woman existed or said this.