BRITISHNESS DEBATE ON BIRMINGHAM AGENDA
A major Birmingham event took place recently to debate whether Britain has lost its ‘Britishness’. Fuelled by Governments announcement for plans for a ‘Britain Day’- which critics dismiss it as a “gimmick” – Birmingham business professionals attended a unique interactive debate to decide What is Britishness Anyway?
The event held by Birmingham Professional DiverCity and Birmingham Future challenged why Britishness need to be celebrated not criticised, ahead of Birmingham becoming one of the first ethnic minority-majority cities in the UK.
Ranjit Sondhi, former Governor of the BBC English Regions, facilitated the event and highlighted that being British is no longer the traditional image envisioned.
“Being British in no longer the ‘stereotypical tea’ and scones with the queen or curry with Zadie Smith – it is infact all of these things,” he said.
“The neurotic search for the ‘modern British identity’ stems from the heavily colonised history of the British empire and its because of this it’s become difficult to move away from this image.
“The recognition of internal diversity needs to be established – where there is a deep respect for being different and equal in the same breath. We need to remember there are a thousand different ways of being British – and being British has nothing to do with colour.”
Aaron Reid, Executive Director of Birmingham Professional DiverCity, which helps the professional services sector value and manage diversity, said the change in demography was obviously already having an impact on Britain today.
“Birmingham is a shining example of an intercultural society, a home to thousands of individuals from differing backgrounds and cultures and whether we like to admit it or not, we are all inextricably linked and dependent on each other.
“The growth of so many different cultural backgrounds and beliefs has created multiple identities in Britain, which in turn has generated a feeling among some groups that English heritage is being eroded. This is one of the reasons why the government is keen to address the issue of ‘being British’ and allow the country the freedom to celebrate its Britishness, and for the English to celebrate being English without being accused of racism,” he said.
“Britishness allows us to be comfortable with our own multiple identities where we can both be a proud Scotsman and British, Jamaican and British, Pakistani and British and crucially, English and British.”
Comments
A good article, but Britishness has negative connotations (Empire, BNP etc). Also Scotland and Wales have their own identities, as shown by Scotland’s refusal to fly the Union flag or consider a “British” holiday.
There is a concept called “civic nationalism”. This is where anyone, regardless of race, place of birth etc etc, can subscribe to a set of values and call themselves a citizen of that nation. It serves a community very well when there is a large influx of immigrants and has been used by the USA very effectively. No other country has taken a more diverse set of people and integrated them so effectively, whilst they can still hang onto their Italian-American, African-American, Jewish-American identity.
This is the model I subscribe to, but feel it is far better for us to identify with Englishness (for those living in England, obviously). The English values of fair play, inclusiveness and tolerance are far better than anything “Britishness” can offer.
The English have often been disparagingly referred to as a “mongrel” nation. I think it is a positive, let’s continue the trend and let us all be English.
Posted by: Terry | August 30, 2007 06:43 AM