En-ger-land

[poliphilo]

It's the first day of the World Cup- and most of urban England looks like this...



It makes me a little nervous. I remember a time (not so long ago) when the only people who flew the cross of St. George were vicars (from their church towers) and nazis- and I still associate it with racism and male violence.

We drove through Glodwick this afternoon- the entry level Muslim area on the far side of the hill.  No flags there. Not a single one.

Comments

[ibid.livejournal.com]

In some ways I think it is a good thing that the flag is being reclaimed, but considering it has been co-opted by the EDL then I get worried.
What really gets me is the way so many of the thugs think they;re being daring, an ethnic majority flying the flag in their own country. Er, no. if you were in Iran then maybe...
A lot of them seem to want to cause offence and have their daring recognised. Well sorry, I am unashamedly PC and liberal and I have no problem with people flying the flag.

I suppose it points to a new feeling of Englishness. I don't think it's a bad thing but only if it can be done in an inclusive way as I think has happened in Scotland. And the definition of Englishness seems to be based on WWII, football and imported beer...

I would truly love an African team to win (not South Africa though as that monstrosity Zuma would take the credit)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

No-one flies the jolly old Union Jack any longer. I'm sorry about that.

The Union Jack had actually- in its latter days- become a symbol of inclusiveness. The Cross of St. George may get there in the end, but it's still a long way off.

I'm sick of the World Cup already. I really don't care who wins.