Post- colonialism? Question for the present British generation?

Question

No offense to anyone, not being anti- british here,but i'm curious to find out what the present British generations today feels about the actions of their country in the distant history.

Do they realise the damage that has been done to these commonwealth nations, now and then?

Are they proud of being a resident of a nation which has a track record of a brutal and bullish empire expansion at the cost of lives of innocents, i've always wondered?
And no i' ain't french btw.

Thanks for the answer.:-)

Yes, many other empires were guilty of it as well.
However i chose to focus on the British Empire to narrow down the list and get a more concentrated feedback.
Also ,I live in a commonwealth nation.

Answer 1

Am I proud of the "bad" things that the early British did? No. But imperial expansion was a fact. Please remember, the French did their fair share in Africa and in North America. The Spanish were busy in South America and I believe the Dutch had their fingers in the West Indies.

None of the European nations at the time were exactly innocent. You should also look at the Roman Empire and don't forget China while we're at it.

Answer 2

Actually you are being offensive.

I'd direct the same question back at you - how do you feel about the genocide of the Native Americans by the early American settlers. Do you feel that YOU are responsible for that? I doubt it. Are you proud of a country that wages war on any other weaker country it can pick on like the schoolyard bully? Are you responsible for the actions of Bush?

Its sadly something that is out of our hands. Was done along time before we were born by people who are long dead. Its history and the past cnnot be changed.

If you want me to be ashamed of the UK for what was done 100s of years before I was born by long dead peopel who are nothing to me and my family then tough luck. Im not.

As for the "damange" done I think you might be a bit bigotted there. In some respects Colonialism helped countries - I have a lot of Indian friends (I am white British but studied Indian classical dance from a child, I have also been to India and trained and danced over there) and their parents say that things like railways and the government infrasctructure etc were introduced by the British. They don't seem to hold any grudge against Britain. I've been to India and met more Indians than you've had hot dinners and I've yet to meet an Indian who does have a grudge, so whats YOUR problem or are you just trying to stir up trouble?

I think you should look at your own country's disgusting and despicable history of genocide against the native Americans before you even think off accusing anyone of

"brutal and bullish empire expansion at the cost of lives of innocents"

Otherwise you just sound like yet another ignorant, ill informed American hypocrite.

Answer 3

You’re focusing on the wrong element in that source for the colonial powers.

For all of them, they stand on over 3,000 years of cultural development (in the British Isles) from which individual rights were developed and evolved. No other culture has contributed to this evolution as has British culture rooted in Celtic foundations.

Answer 4

You don't sound like you're being anti-British..............Much!!!