'I am proud to be British' they announce.
As if Britishness had become a foreign concept- as if it something elitist to say 'I am British'. What does that even mean? To me it's just a nationality, written on a passport, attempting to define me. It really doesn't.
The raucous claims of Britishness, the people behind the noise, are
mesmerised by the call to restore what is 'Great' about Britain
ricocheting between the mouths of each party leader. Is it only those
with a general understanding of the history of the last 100 years who
understand that this plea to national identity is the most obvious
form of propaganda? Can our modern day politicians find nothing
better to string us along with? Are we no more developed or
intelligent that our 1930s Russian and German counterparts? Build a
common enemy- reinforce patriotism- embed nationality in education.
Surely it's not just me who can see the undeniable parallels?
A common enemy: immigrants, haven't they always been. Clearly nothing
changes, or no politician is imaginative enough to change anything.
What about the tax evaders- are they a not more worthy enemy? But, of
course, they deliver such important 'services' to the U.K that their
criminality can go unnoticed. (Did the Queen forget to remind you to
pay your taxes whilst she was knighting you Gazza?)
How many times have we heard a politician serenading Britain with
constant reminders of her greatness? Their faces begin to merge into
one grotesque mask: Cameron, Farage, Miliband (and the other, useless
one, what's his name?) a super-beast of political inadequacy. With
ease this gusto infiltrates education: a heinous announcement to make
the study of English in schools wholly British in an attempt to
indoctrinate the young- what a load of bullshit. Michael Gove can go
shove that where the sun doesn't shine (his conservative arse). How
can one study English without understanding its roots and links with
other countries. It's disgusting enough that African literature
doesn't even get a word in let alone American literature being
banished as well. But of course, the English language is heralded as
one of the mighty triumphs of the British. I am in utter despair.
Perhaps History should have a more prominent place on the curriculum?
If only plagiarism was to the student as stealing past political
tactics was to the politician- if only.
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