|
We have got ourselves into a fine
mess over what it means to be British, what it means to live in
a multicultural society, immigration, and what to do about itinerant
off-the-wall fundamentalist mullahs bewitching the minds of young
British Muslims. What is to be done!
All the heart-rending stuff about our late lamented
national identity is all unnecessary. A decade ago when I was teaching
courses on nationalism I used to start the course by asking students
to chose their national identity from a list on the board: British,
English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Other. Older students invariably
chose their ethnic nationality: English, Welsh, etc. Younger students
would choose British but with reluctance; they seemed to think
it was rather distasteful to be asked to choose such a disreputable
thing as a national identity. In one seminar group this was in
marked contrast to an Irish student who, despite an international
baccalaureate education, was very proud of her Irish nationality
to a degree which puzzled her British peers.
Today there is a greater sense
of English national identity as a direct response to the rise of
Scottish nationalism and the creation of devolved government in
Scotland, and in particular because of the campaign against the
perceived abuse of the Union flag by supporters of the England
national football team. As a result, the flag of St George has
never been more popular. But don't expect much to happen on April
23 (St George's Day) unless you hold a football tournament.
|
|
