Racism

It is a sad fact of life that racism is alive and well. It resides actively within the bosom of the United Kingdom and Great Britain.

This is not about Africans, West Indian, Pakistanis or Indians; this is about inter-British relationships. Of course there are many people we describe as African, Indian, etc., who are not only British but also English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish; but it is not their skin tone that makes them a target.

Some of you may not be aware that the United Kingdom and Great Britain are not quite the same thing. There is an important difference between the two.

 The full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It includes England, Scotland, Wales, and six counties of Ireland, ruled by the king or queen of England, and represented in the nation's parliament.

Great Britain is a geographic term referring to the island also known simply as Britain. It’s also a political term for the part of the United Kingdom made up of England, Scotland, and Wales (including the outlying islands that they administer, such as the Isle of Wight). United Kingdom, on the other hand, is purely a political term: it’s the independent country that encompasses all of Great Britain and the region now called Northern Ireland.

The flag of the United Kingdom is often termed the Union Jack but, in truth, it is the Union Flag.

What is commonly known as the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom, is actually only called the Union Jack when it is flown on the jackstaff on the bow of a Royal Naval ship. The correct name for the flag is the Union Flag.

The flag combines aspects of three older national flags: the red cross of St George of the Kingdom of England, the white saltire of St Andrew for Scotland (which two were united in the first Union Flag), and the red saltire of St Patrick to represent Ireland.

The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century. This meant that Wales is a Principality instead of a Kingdom and as such could not be included.

Now you have the facts before you we shall forgive you for thinking that, after all this time, we of the Union are all one big happy family.

We are not.

Now, before I proceed I should point out that this is about a relatively small but vocal group of people.

I have many friends who are Scottish, Welsh and Irish and know that they are not racist in the slightest.

Sadly, there are those who spoil this idyllic dream of unity.

While we are in the midst of the World Cup, 2018 version in Russia, there is considerable enchantment amongst the supporters of England because the England football (US: soccer) team has reached the semi-finals where they play for a place in the final against Croatia.

Of course the English are euphoric about this – and why should they not be.

Had Iceland been in this position or Norway, Denmark, USA, Ecuador they, too, would be over the moon at the success of their team and quite rightly so. Who would deny them that happiness?

Well, in England’s case a portion of the population, it seems, of Wales, Scotland and Ireland are quite bitter about it.

There have been numerous postings where these people are hoping, fervently, for England to fail at this semi-final hurdle and, indeed, are resentful of the fact that they have made it this far.

Some of the comments regarding individual members of the team have been quite vituperative.

Some years ago (1987) a cricket match between England and Pakistan was being televised. We were watching it in our staff room in between jobs.

Most Scottish people are indifferent to cricket so I was surprised when one of my colleagues, a Scotsman, was watching it. I mentioned that the England team were doing well so far.

He scoffed and mentioned that he hoped the Pakistanis would demolish England.

This, to me, was despicable. I have no problem supporting other British teams in international events, as is the case with most other Englishmen.

This idea that other British nationals will support their own local team (of course), their National team (of course) and any team that plays against England is a sad reflection of the idea that they cannot get their minds out of the 1800’s when there was war between the Nations!

Following that idea I should tell you that I was racially abused on several occasions when visiting the other Nations. Sometimes it is done quietly with gentle sniggers like being last in the queue to see the Doctor and then discovering that the clinic closed when there was nobody left for the Doctor to see except an English person – this happened in North West Wales in the seventies!

We who are English are aware that this racial smearing occurs in the media. Nothing is done.

During an English Premier League match there were two pundits discussing the match at half time and after the final whistle had blown. Good stuff as it was an analysis of the players and team performance. Both pundits were Scottish.

One wonders at the potential outcry North of the border if two English pundits analysed a Scottish League game.

Heaven forfend that this sort of crime should occur.

Racism is alive and well.

I continue to support Welsh, Scottish and Irish teams in international competition – until they play England, of course!

I just wish these narrow-minded buffoons would extend us the same courtesy