No one who is English should feel ashamed to stand up and be counted.?

Question

This does not mean fighting and bullying in it means showing pride and passion in an ever decreasing part of the UK that once was England.

I have no hidden agenda here before someone calls me a racist, but feel that we need to be able to identify who we are by being able to call ourselves English instead of British. T

The whole issue over English and British is somewhat clouded, no thanks to political correctness.

So if you are English what do you think?.

Well said ulagam. The essence of it all is time.

Do you not find it amazing though that when Scots wax lyrical about being Scottish that no one takes them to task about saying their are Scottish and not British.

Answer 1

i'm welsh too and i think that people should hav a mixture of pride for themslves and who they consider themselves to be, and respect for others and who they are... it doesn't cost anything at the end of the day!

Answer 2

No, absolutely - have no problem with English people calling themselves English. Although I think of myself primarily as British, if people call me English, I do tend to correct them by saying "I'm a Welshman", so there's no reason why English people shouldn't say they're English if they don't feel comfortable with the broader "British" label.

Where English pride runs into difficulties is that firstly, it has been appropriated by exactly the kind of racists that a majority of English people abhor. So it will inevitably make other nations nervous when English people say "I'm English and proud of it", principally because the only place they've heard that statement anywhere recently will probably have been on a TV screen showing a low-irony skinhead spouting racist gibberish.
This is not the fault of the majority of English people, but the message of pride has been tainted in the 'instant associative memory' of many other people by this kind of thing.

Secondly, there is the problem of what exactly English pride is celebrating. This is a problem because most of the inherently English qualities are now viewed in rather negative and stereotypical ways. Reserve and politeness? "Oh, the stuffy English with a stick up their butt". Class? "Unelected spongers and forelock-touching waifs". Doing unspeakable things to food...well, that's pretty much always been a crime. Strength, of the kind displayed by Brits in the Blitz, has become a rather tarnished idea, despite the fact that on 7th July when London was attacked, it came pouring out of people who'd never had to use it before (just as it did from New yorkers on 911).

What else is proudly English? The language? Shakespeare and Keats have been replaced by "Am I Bovvered?" and "Yeah but no but..." and so the wonder of the English language has been immeasurably impoverished. The monarchy? will never be the same after its reaction to the death of th "People's Princess".

Do you see what I mean? What are the things that the English feel innately proud of? All too often, these things harken back to a "golden age of Englishness"...which unfortunately also happened to be the age when England was an imperial power, subjugating and punishing much of the rest of the world. Which gives English pride problems of general acceptance.

And thirdly, what "once was England" is still England, but England has always, always, always been about change, growth, and diversity. Whatever brings pride to the English should not be just a set of things that will inevitably erode, decline, and be replaced. The new England celebrates its pride every day it takes a breath, thinks a new thought, makes a new friend, does a good job. England is what it always was - a multiverse of things that were, things that are, and things that are to come. Be proud of that - hell, I am, and I only live here ;o)

Answer 3

I am no English and no British either. I am able to understand the feelings of a native Englishman who feels that their clan and culture is overwhelmed by the induction of the immigrants from the erstwhile British colonies. But, you must consider that it is the legacy of the past. Britain was the ruler of the countries from where these immigrants have come. Britain was their natural choice when it came to going overseas for studies and employment. Britain in the past did not have any problem with them. Now, it hurts. It is difficult to ensure that these immigrant population will feel that they are the British citizens, unless they lose their identity and have their roots in the countires of their origina totally cut off, as the Blacks in the States. The Blacks in the States do no longer look upon Africa as their home although as blacks they do have a spearate identity and their own problems. The English people themselves were the different tribes like Angles, Saxons, Normans etc who eventually got mixed and grew into one race. Unless that kind of mixture takes place, the identity crisis will persist. The practical solution lies in showing some consideration and understanding of the situation and rationalising the immigration policy. Let them live, as long as they do not violate the law and hurt the sentiments of any other sections of the society. You may remember that India is a big country with hundreds and thousands of ethnic groups living in it.
A homogenity of culture and religion amongst them is impossible and yet they identify themselves as a nation, althoug there are some clashes witnessed here and there. Time will solve these problems. For the tme being, what we need to do is to show patience and understanding. I have great faith in the English (or British) ability to act on common sense and fair play.

Answer 4

I hate that on my census I have to tick White other. We are in England arent we and I am English so why cant I call my self English. I'm not British that is some word used to describe people that were part of the British Empire ( When it still existed ) It doesnt exist anymore and The English need to be proud of their nationality.

English not British

Answer 5

I'm Scottish and we also don't like to call ourselves British. And we take great pride in being able to call ourselves British.

I have to say I never thought English felt that way too. It almost seems as though the English are having an identity crisis. You should definitely be proud of your heritage.

Answer 6

When ever I'm filling in forms I always cross out White British and put English.

Answer 7

You can put me down as an "Agree". Whenever I have to fill out a form which asks my "Ethnic Origin" (a question that pisses me off no end even before it's asked!!!) I make a point of THOROUGHLY obliterating ANY reference to British, and always write ENGLISH - WHITE so that there is little chance of error on anybody's part!!!!!
If they don't like it, then TOUGH! They can shove it!!!

Answer 8

I feel that if the other countries (Wales and Scotland) take so much pride in their nationality and heritage, we should do the same. But, we should not run away with ourselves; we still steal their athletes for the Olympics.

Answer 9

I always call myself English and not British when I'm asked about my nationality

Answer 10

sadly we have only ourselves to blame. We could really do with a strong religious movement here (The C of E is floundering in a confused politically correct quick sand) to help keep us together, give us back moral guidance and strength to believe in ones self. It works in other countries.
Hey I admire other faiths like Islam, it works for them, keeping them together and strong. most people in the UK have removed God from their lives and replaced religion with rubbish. Politicians wont keep England strong. God would.
It's just a thought!