Britain in the grip of an identity crisis
One of the first complaints you'll hear about an emerging ethnic influence in any country is that the indigenous culture and identity is being diluted. Understanding the national identity is probably not the most pressing matter for an economic migrant entering a country by shipping container. Finding somewhere to stay and having food to eat could be considered more relevant in the alien's eyes.
Pity then that these containers don't come equipped with a welcome pack that would ease the transition. Imagine a guide to Ireland for Brazilian factory workers who, sans the language and a working permit, go to work packing meat in Roscommon. There might be sections on "How to order a breakfast roll in Gweedore" or "The Game of Shinty" and so on. Think of how assured these workers would feel then.
But that compilation would be as easy as what was put together as Old Moore’s Almanac. We're Irish and what it means to be that way is as clear as Eamon Casey's conscience. The British on the other hand have no such reference points and to have them would draw accusations of "jingoism" from the liberal broadsheets. Many schools, communities, cities, workplaces and social gathering spaces are marked by the absense of anything pro-Britain. Last December's proliferation of the insipid "Happy Holiday" platitude perfected depicted a Britain that can no longer re-affirm its Britishness.
So does multiculturalism work? Can a country accept so many people from foreign cultures and still retain a strong national identity? I'm not sure either way. One in four people living in London (including myself) are not British. Personally, I think London is a wonderfully vibrant, interesting and stimulating place to live. But I don't think it sticks out as being particularly British. If I was to ever leave the area bound by the M25 my perception of things might change (it's a challenge to leave Zone 2 at this stage).
Another little experiment was to ask some British friends when St George's day fell each year. None could answer for sure. Admittedly, this day has not been largely celebrated for some time in England.
No reasonable person would subscribe to the British nationalism spouted by the BNP. And this piece is certainly not making the case for the dismantling of multi-culture. However, it is not reckless to say that Britain is in the grip of an identity crisis.
tags:britain
Published by Colm.
Pity then that these containers don't come equipped with a welcome pack that would ease the transition. Imagine a guide to Ireland for Brazilian factory workers who, sans the language and a working permit, go to work packing meat in Roscommon. There might be sections on "How to order a breakfast roll in Gweedore" or "The Game of Shinty" and so on. Think of how assured these workers would feel then.
But that compilation would be as easy as what was put together as Old Moore’s Almanac. We're Irish and what it means to be that way is as clear as Eamon Casey's conscience. The British on the other hand have no such reference points and to have them would draw accusations of "jingoism" from the liberal broadsheets. Many schools, communities, cities, workplaces and social gathering spaces are marked by the absense of anything pro-Britain. Last December's proliferation of the insipid "Happy Holiday" platitude perfected depicted a Britain that can no longer re-affirm its Britishness.
So does multiculturalism work? Can a country accept so many people from foreign cultures and still retain a strong national identity? I'm not sure either way. One in four people living in London (including myself) are not British. Personally, I think London is a wonderfully vibrant, interesting and stimulating place to live. But I don't think it sticks out as being particularly British. If I was to ever leave the area bound by the M25 my perception of things might change (it's a challenge to leave Zone 2 at this stage).
Another little experiment was to ask some British friends when St George's day fell each year. None could answer for sure. Admittedly, this day has not been largely celebrated for some time in England.
No reasonable person would subscribe to the British nationalism spouted by the BNP. And this piece is certainly not making the case for the dismantling of multi-culture. However, it is not reckless to say that Britain is in the grip of an identity crisis.
tags:britain
Published by Colm.
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