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@wordsworth60 wrote:
I spent the first 11 years or so of my life as “the Englishman”: the first person in my family born in England. People of all types would identify me with the country of my birth – “But I was born here!” seemed to stop people who said “why don’t you go back to your own country?” in their tracks. I did experience racism, but all English people didn’t necessarily like each other, so I dealt with it with all the skills a child of my age could muster.
As I got older, I was told more often that I couldn’t be English, ‘just’ British. It’s only in the past decade or so that I have reverted to calling myself English, partly from defiance and partly because, despite my great affection for the other UK countries, I am not Scottish, Welsh or Irish, so there’s only one bit of British left for me to be. More than that, I am a Londoner, defined by the streets in which I was raised.
An anecdote – on a holiday in France in my teens, an old French woman was very hostile towards me until she found out that I was not from North Africa (her late husband had fought there), but “Anglais”. I couldn’t help liking her.
I think that modern political and geographical boundaries deserve only the scant respect of convenience that they deserve, as legacies of genocide and exploitation. However I also feel there are characteristics that we inherit collectively. Whether we adopt them or reject them is our right.
For me, ‘English’ is confident enough to allow a gentle strength and to own my choices. ‘British’ is entitled to a place amongst other nations and a responsibility to live with the legacy of the past, bad and good. I own them both without rejecting anything of my parents’ heritage.
Would it be fair to describe you as the JC equivalent of Norris from Coronation Street?
I haven’t a clue what your point is.@sugarnspice wrote:
@terry wrote:
@sugarnspice wrote:
I dont think anc has understood this thread. She seems to think room 101 is some sort of party :)
You made reference to a “barbeque” and she responded to that idea of it being a party. :roll:
lol your explanation shows that you didn’t understand the thread or my comment :roll:
I fully understand the thread.
@rainbowbrite wrote:
I’m wondering what schools teach these days and do children tweet more than visiting their local library.
I’m just glad I grew up during the pre-mobile phone era. Text speak and lack of basic grammar is endemic in today’s youth. I’m sure rogue trader is going to say how unimportant grammar is in today’s society, but (in my opinion) good grammar relies on sound intellect and good reasoning skills. Let’s not lose sight of that.
@sugarnspice wrote:
I dont think anc has understood this thread. She seems to think room 101 is some sort of party :)
You made reference to a “barbeque” and she responded to that idea of a party. :roll:
I’m just relieved it’s not Stuart Pearce. The fact that Hodgson has been given the job shows that we don’t have a lot of choice in the managerial department.
…
The camera is easily the most significant invention of all time.
@sugarnspice wrote:
film reviews and poetry
People who do these reviews are often the most pretentious and boring people you’l ever meet.
@londonseagull wrote:
@rogue trader wrote:
hey up seagull,as they say oop north,i know who you are,but a lot of these dont,why not just come on as your proper user name,so we can all “air our views”,name changing doesnt become you. you are a far more better chatter than that,to just hide behind a silly monicker than london seagull.
What the hell has who I am go to do with this thread? Do you feel a little smugness? It’s rather childish and back biting to get off topic for your own gains. Do you have an input to this thread or not? If not may I suggest you toddle off. There’s a good boy.
Well said. =D>
