Britain is loosing its Britishness
14-May-2008
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Britain is loosing its Britishness

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Britain losing its 'Britishness' is a common topic that is much discussed nowadays.  I am from Southern Africa and have lived in the UK for seven years (due to a certain dictator).  While there are numerous cultural and social differences between our 2 societies, I am grateful to be able to live in the UK and contribute to society, although I will never consider myself completely in-sync with what British society is today.

The British people have a right to complain and lament their loss of Britishness (almost all the British people I know/associate with from all walks of society consider this an issue).  Not being British-born, I can't possibly feel the same way those born in Britain do but even so, I find the following situations rather perplexing:

Why does Britain bow and scrape before the 'Mighty Bush'

A boy with a union jack flag
  • why is there this mentality in football that if you want the job done right 'Johnny foreigner' will do it?  How can Arsenal versus Liverpool be considered an English affair, the game has basically been hijacked?
  • why are British businesses being taken over by foreign interests, either when in financial difficulties or because of aggressive foreign takeover policies?
  • why can't Christmas lights depict traditional Christian symbols?
  • why is it okay to have thousands of mosques in the UK, but blasphemy to put a couple of bricks together to build a church in Islamabad?
  • why does the UK not have a national day?
  • why are British music artists trying to copy sad American acts?
  • why does Britain/UK keep sending embarrassing acts to Eurovision?
  • why does Britain bow and scrape before the 'Mighty Bush'?
  • why is Britain having to deal with the consequences of ethnic/cultural vendettas on its streets that primarily do not arise from the direct actions of the British-born folk?

There is a distinct lack of patriotism in this country (some may say with good reason).  You can't even compare with how fiercely patriotic American, Australians, South Africans, Scandinavian countries, and many Eastern-European countries are.  It's a little misguided (and too little to late) when the flags come out for 'big' games or when the Queen is out and about.

Is this country still suffering from a guilt complex from colonialism?  I would like to hear the opinions of British folk who a) feel very strongly about this or b) don't consider this an issue at all.

By: Dave


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I often wonder what it would have been like if Germany did win WWII. I believe the nazi machine would have eased off and all would carry on living normal lives.

There would be no middle east ruck as the Germans were and still are close friends with the middle east. Besides, they import too many Mercedes Benz so would never go to war with Germany lol. The nazis had many regiments full of soldiers with muslim faith in WWII.

I can only imagine that it may not have be any worse than it is today and for sure, scoundrels would've been dealt with severely
*Matty  02-May-2008 09:38

 
In the jungles of Brazil, the lost tribes are being protected as they are a dying breed. Us Brits are becoming a rare breed and nobody cares, least of all the British Government, who got us in this mess in the first place. They forget who they are working for and fail to get the opinion of the working, tax paying Brits. Bring back Enoch Powell, a true British statesman. He would tell the yanks where to shove it. England has 'politically corrected' itself to a shambles and the real Brits, Anglo Saxons, are paying the price. All the poor soldiers that fought and died for this.Rip.
*Gaz  02-May-2008 07:58

 
Wales, I went there once, never again, it is like being in the Balkans. Whenever I need the toilet I had to wade through discarded syringes, they are everywhere.

It wouldn't be a bad thing if Wales just disappeared.
*Sam  01-May-2008 10:43

 
Wales? Is that short for Waleshire? One of the biggest English counties?
*democracyintheUKisbroken  30-Apr-2008 23:12

 
While your gripe may be justified in some ways, I'm afraid I have to take issue with you on one or two points.

Firstly, the United Kingdom doesn't have a national day. We get the queen's birthday instead. God bless her.

Secondly, British music is a world leader. Rubbish, yes, but still in front.

As for Eurovision, how dare you? Every British entry from day one has been fantastic, boom-bang-a-bang.

Colonialism, that was a bad thing. But the British did it best and we are proud of that.

If you don't like Britain, why don't you move to Wales? Sure, nominally it is a part of the United Kingdom but they speak a different language there. And they have a daffodil as their national emblem. Need I say more?

I hope that you now look upon us Brits in a more positive light.
*ProudBrit  30-Apr-2008 12:11

 
I don't like these people at all. There are some I like and some I don't like.

Shoving a note through a door, what's that all about!? Hasn't the 'balls' to say it face to face, what an oxygen thief.

They don't help themselves do they? They make people hate them
*Digger  28-Apr-2008 14:55

 
The old boy across the street had has St George England flag out on St George's day. Good on you I say, we should celebrate our Britishness (or Englishness in this case). When I hear of cases such as in the comment below, it really makes my blood boil. I have nothing against immigrants as long as they respect our ways and customs and make an effort to integrate. By all means maintain their own customs and keep their identity, but don't try to take away ours or force your ways onto us. The same goes to the British abroad.
*Still British  27-Apr-2008 13:16

 
A friend of mine who lives in Salford put up a St George England flag during the football. He had a note pushed through his door telling him to take it down. Turns out the note was from a Muslim immigrant who lived on his street. What the hell is going on in this country? We cannot even put up the England flag without being accused of racism!
*democracyintheUKisbroken  26-Apr-2008 21:45

 
I'm English, British, a Briton... or whatever, born and bred.

BUT I will admit I have had enough of " society " in this country - infact the whole system in general.

Wonder why 1000's of Briton's leave this country every year for a 'better life' across the water, or further afield - The way this country is going, I won't be far behind them!

I can comfortably say that I am NO MORE " proud to be british ".
Illegal immigrants can come and go, I honestly don't care any more - this country can't get much worse.
*CareNoMore  24-Apr-2008 15:20

 
The fact that a painting for St. George's Day commissioned by some lunatic 'arts council' shows two people,one of whom is black, pretty much sums up the way the country has lost its pride, identity, and direction. Mostly thanks to Phony Tony B-liar and his excuse for a government, and I'm sure Grasping Gordon will carry on in the sme way.

This is not a racist comment directed at black people, but the whole essence of Englishness, or Britishness, is white Aglo Saxon culture, and I've just asked half a dozen non white people and they agree with me.
*MikeP  23-Apr-2008 19:14

 
Tam, if you did do that.. then why the comments about the welsh?
*thefox01  22-Apr-2008 15:52

 
The fox,

Such ingratitude after all England has done for your country. In the Eighties when you were in trouble, your people were dying and food was scarce. Pop Stars and musicians alike all decided to do something about your crumbling economical state.

All gathered in London and gave their services for free. They raised millions as a result and the hit song went to number one in the charts - 'Feed The Welsh'.
*Tam  21-Apr-2008 11:59


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