I am black and was born in England, however refuse to call myself British is that out of order ??

Question

I imagine that those that have unfounded prejudicial views will jump out of their boxes, however for me calling myself British reinforces all that is the 'empire' mentality and though i am proud of my roots i certainly do not buy into all that came with colonialism, and if i am to be totally honest i feel that racism is still as rife today as it ever was, however it's manifestations are so much more subtle owing much to what we term 'political correctness'.

I furthermore think it's really sad that the first thing somebody is prejudice without due cause will usually say is that ''i'm not a racist'' and my assertion is that if one does not assume a position, then there is no need to defend it.

Anyways i would appreciate 'constructive' feedback.

Many thanks...............

Answer 1

Call yourself what you like but iif you consider yourself Jamaican/African or whatever your heritage is then may I ask why you live here?  Why not move to Jamaica or Africa?  Being born and living in the UK makes you a British citizen whether you like it or not.  You are very free to leave if you are unhappy with that fact.  

I call myself Welsh and British.  Welsh because I'm born and bred in Wales and British because I live on the island of Great Britain.  I have no interest in anything about "colonialism" or "empire" thats long dead and gone, its only a minority of people who still harp on about it.  The average "British" person couldn't care less.

Answer 2

No, why should you.

I was born in the UK.

but if I was to trace my blood routes............ I'd be..................let me see............................how do I descibe it..................... I know.........................

an Earthling!

Answer 3

Well, the way I would look at it is, where do you come from? Not your family history, but you in yourself? Do you feel like you was apart of something else at some point or do you feel like everyone else in the UK? Apart of it...

What do you call yourself? Let me just use an example of you think yourself as africa, at what point did you, not your history have this connection with Africa?

Hopefully that is my point clear, personally I feel a little upset for you to feel that you cant call yourself british... But, each to his own.

Answer 4

I 100% agree with you. The Brits are still into the colonialism ideal. And no, what you do is not wrong at all. I may live in America but I don't consider myself a true American except on legal documents.

Answer 5

I'm white and born in England and do not call myself British but English so what is your problem exactly? You say you’re proud of your roots, so I am, I'm proud to be English. All nationalities should be proud of their birth place. Would a Scot come on here and refuse to call himself/herself Scottish, no and rightly so. It’s people like you who cause racial tension, I don’t care about the colour of your skin, your s*x, your religion so why do you make it such a big deal.

Have pride in your country or I suggest you find somewhere else to live and call home because frankly I'm getting sick of the people of the UK (which ever part of the union they live in) having no pride in themselves or their country of birth.  This is not about colour it's about pride, I feel sorry for you.

Answer 6

I really don't understand why anyone would say that's "out of order". I also don't understand why anyone would care!

But you can't argue with the fact that you were born in Britain, which makes you a British Citizen. Maybe that's why people would misconstrue your opinions as being offensive.

I don't know what you Brits think about these types of issues, but us Americans wouldn't really give a sh*t. We have more important issues to worry about, sweetie!

If people tell you disrespectful things and come down on you for how you feel, just roll your eyes, tell them to "kiss your bum" and go on with your day.

Answer 7

well as long as you don't forget your heritage then go head

Answer 8

Mmm.. My question is what do you call yourself. In some ways refusing to be part of the Britishness thing reinforces it's difference to your perceived social group, I think that you need to at least acknowledged it, although you can choose to follow your ethnic background. I don't really have any problem with you looking to your ancestral roots, but staying apart from the norm, makes you stand out and highlights differences.

Whatever you may thing of the bad examples in history of the British Empire and there have been many, most other social groups also have their skeletons in the closets, maybe not in such a grand scale. For example, slavery existed in Africa for hundreds of years before the Western Europeans industrialised it.

Answer 9

If  you don't call yourself British, what do you call yourself? Until I know that, I find it hard to pass a fair and constructive judgement as I have nothing to compare with....interested to know, thanks.

Answer 10

So what do you put if you are asked to provide your ethnicity, e.g on a hospital admission form?

My Mum is Irish and my Dad was born in France to Russian parents but I still call myself British because I was born in London.  

Answer 11

What would you call yourself....English? That's OK, I consider myself Welsh (I still support the British Olympic team though).

The fact that you're black is irrelevant.

Answer 12

You may call yourself whatever you wish, it is completely up to you and in no way out of order.

Answer 13

Be interested to know what you do call yrself as you make a big point of not wanting to be British, I used to feel the same way about classing myself as English due to the fact the right wing had hijacked the term. Now I class myself as being a Yorkshireman and it seems so much easier ;)