I was asked an interesting question today by a nephew...
What things do you have to do to be British ? Eat fish and chips etc . What are British traits and characteristics ?
I said that there are several interpretations; firstly there is the image of the British stiff upper lip, which existed in days of old, but was mainly present in the ruling classes, the peasants or working classes were too busy to be concerned with that, they were too busy trying to eek out an existence. It's not until the industrial revolution really that social mobility enabled merchants and traders from humble stock start mixing in corridors of power. Even then there was a differentiator between old and new money, blue bloods, (aristocrats) and businessmen or colonial profiteers with aristocratic backers.
Then you have Brits of European origins, Franco, Germanic, Judaic, Russian, Polish, Czech etc... They have assimilated the British way of language, literature art, society and added to it.
The real sea change has been common wealth Brits, where colours, flavours, tastes, cuisine, changed the face of Britain. It is arguable that the subcontinent has played the most influential part in this, followed by West Indian then African. Canadian and Australian are pretty much Europeans in far off territories.
To be British now in the early part of the 21st century is to be a hybrid of the above, with some more adapted than others. To be adapted means just as comfortable within the now and who they are as well as their heritage and are proud of both identities.
In the school room and playground it's evolving. It's happening as we speak. There hasn't been such mass migration from so far afield, with so much commonality between the races because of the empire and now commonwealth.
Shared history, cultural familiarity, acceptance in the face of it but there's still an ardent identity crisis for some. Holding onto a past which only exists in pockets, but mail my in rural areas or upper society.
Being British today is acceptance of this fact, equal rights, equal status, freedom of choice, freedom of expression, celebration of diversity, yet proudly different in cultural nuances.
Faith has a part to play, to each their own, united in sport, diverse in art, pop culture, music, and drama, an historic relationship of nations...it's too diverse for any national or religious identity to take precedence, other than the Church of England being the church of state. Having said that there are over 70 million African Church of England followers, greater than the population of the UK.
The identities of nation states will not be determined by its racial or religious mix. It will be determined by the people or corporations that control the wealth and supply of commodities to survive.
The financial implosion in recent years has weakened European economies bar three which are Britain, France and Germany, they have economies that can weather it without seeking help from mechanisms such as the IMF or World Bank, funny that huh!
Fast growing economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China have a lot more to offer to world cultural and economic development.
The United States has technology, and an armed forces, it also has freedoms and choices that many an Islamic or non democratic nation would love to have, the paradox is the gap between the rich and poor is just as bad if not worse than in developing nations...
The truth of the matter is, in my humble opinion, gone are the days of isolationism, (look at Nth Korea) the only way to get ahead and prosper is through trade and cooperation. Respect for religious and cultural identity and sustainable, ethical trade, finance and social mobility.
"For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”
I have also interpreted the above extract from the Quran as, for you is your way of life, and for me is my way of life. After all islam is a way of life. We needn't be at odds because we are different, we were created different so that we may know each other.
We are different, there is nothing wrong in that, it makes for a more interesting and diverse world...people who try to put any race above the other is not sane in my head. Be free to choose your way of life. The ultimate judge is the almighty. Not me, not you! Who am I to tell you I'm better than you or you me! Just live your life as best as you can without fear or harassment. If you have a religion good for you, if not, it's your decision, good for you, I will not force you to be anything other than who you want to be!
“O humanity! We have created you of a male and a female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The most honored of you with Allah are those who are the most God-fearing. Surely Allah is Knowing, Aware.” [Sûrah al-Hujurât: 13]
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