Rugbypup
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So what is the new zealander identity?
I've lived in both countries, there is a massive difference in the general way the Kiwi's celebrate themselves and their nation in comparison to the English.
I use the term 'English' as a pose to 'British', refers to the the United Kingdom of Great Briton... this includes the Scots, the Welsh and Northern Irish, all of which have distinct, almost separate identities from England nowadays.
In England, defining, even celebrating being English is acceptable in very few circumstances that I can remember. Sports teams abroad is the only one I can think of. We were always told we're British over being English, right back from childhood I don't ever recall any acknowledgement of the English nationality. Almost like it was a taboo, something we don't really talk about, but never an explanation why?
As you say English history is long, bloody and not without it's shames. But I don't see that as reason enough to sweep national identity under the rug, if it were, Germany, for example, would have renamed itself after the war, surely? I don't see any moral high ground to be taken by bandying the tar brush of bigotry and xenophobia around. These are aspects of the human condition we are all subject to though sadly there are grossly xenophobic and bigoted people around, thus tolerance is the most essential quality of many, I can't agree with that more. Tolerance is tragically one of the first to die when fear and indignation bite you in the arse so hard it bleeds. I've no idea how to solve that one.
Sadly, English identity is synonymous with football riots and hooliganism, tea drinking, chavs, bad teeth, pissed up Mancunians with kebabs on weekend nights, stuffy 'no sex please' high society, inbred nobility in London and cheap, booze soak sex binges in formally nasty, forgotten Mediterranean holiday resorts. Ayia Napa and Ibiza to name a few.
Perhaps I'm jaded, perhaps the rose tinted glasses are covered in shite and this is all I can now see of England. Sigh, but what exactly does being English mean any more?
The Kiwi identity is far more resolute among it's people, even if they are not aware of that fact. Not as dogmatic and zealous as the Americans, but far, far more than the intangible English.
When was the last time you sang the English national anthem? What's the first verse? (Without Google) What was it sang for?
In contrast, regardless of heritage, race and creed, I don't think there is a child in NZ that couldn't sing the NZ anthem to you in both English and Maori. It's sung at the open of nearly all local and nation events, regardless of their nature.
A small difference perhaps but one with thin edge of the wedge implications for a nation. The main difference is, the Kiwis know who they are, they respect and take pride in there nation, that's seemingly forgotten in England and the English. The Kiwis know who they are as a nationality. Their identity has only really been developing on it's own since the 1960 so I guess that might account for why it's so well defined.
Kiwis, even in an official capacities, openly acknowledge people as not being a Kiwi without fear of offending people on some bull shite PC thin ice reasoning. The indigenous citizens and people are recognised first and foremost... have you ever read an NZ immigration form? If England implemented half the stringent policies the Kiwis have, I swear the country would be half empty. NZ is certainly none the poorer for it.
I don't buy the bull shit about foreigners doing the jobs the nationals wouldn't touch with a barge pole either. If the country needs nurses, implement a scheme to recruit and train nurses without paying them a pittance and charging them the Earth, don't just hire them from wherever's going. Hows about investing in ones own people? Though I do think much of general social decline to that effect has much to do with relentless consumerism. The must have iPhone takes presidents over actually having the shitty job that buys it in many sections of society, in my opinion.
I feel the English, being English has become a forgotten, slightly embarrassed, marred and undefined identity, that's all and as such I can see why people would become hostile towards immigrant and foreigners, not just the Polish.
My fear is that the unrest it creates can and will lead to a dark and awful future for England. That makes me very sad.
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