I stand up from my chair, parked in a semicircle of similar chairs and make my way to the lectern. The faces of the others gathered in this room look at me supportively. I compose myself and start to speak. "hello. My name's Andy..." I whisper. "hello Andy" reply the group in a chorus of encouragement. I fill my lungs with boldness and stale air and continue "...and I'm British and proud". The group gently clap in recognition of the brave step I've just taken. It's not easy to say words like this out loud.
It takes courage in a culture that likes shy away from sentences involving Proud and British. It sounds a bit too BNP or, even worse, Daily Mail.
It takes courage to say it in a culture where being cynical is much cooler than pride in your heritage.
Yet here I am surrounded by red, white and blue flags and balloons, bunting strung up round every corner and even people with union flags shaved into their hair. And not in a "We're British. Foreigners out!" way, but more of a "we are Britain and u r welcome".
The atmosphere has changed so much in the course of a year, I can hardly believe it. I guess it's down to the Jubilee the royal wedding and now the games. It still has taken me a bit by surprise though and I'm glad.
I must admit I do hate the hymn Jerusalem though, but that's because it's a silly song.
So, what are your thoughts?
Are u English Scottish Irish Welsh or British?
Do u feel the atmosphere has changed?
Will this patriotism last?
Answers on a comment box to the usual address.
No comments:
Post a Comment