Are we any nearer to full integration?

[anotheoldgit]

This week on the local news, I witnessed crowds of young British/Asians on the streets of Leicester celerbrating the fact that India had won the World Cup for cricket. They were yelling, screaming jumping up and down and waving the Indian national flag. Nothing wrong with that one may say but wait one moment ????

These youngsters were more than likely to have been born and educated in England, and most likely have never ever been to India.

Does this jubliation for the Indian cricket team's success, only go to prove that we still have a long way to go before we achieve full integration of the ethnic minorities into this country.

In a few years some of these youngsters could even be asked to play for England, what kind of attitude would they carry onto the cricket pitch when the time came to play against their beloved India?

[China Doll]

The Scottish and Welsh would do the same thing if their teams ever had half a chance of winning something AOG.

They're still part of England though. (Whether they count themselves as English is a whole other thread and I'm not brave enough to take them all on with regards to this issue). So I imagine it's similar to their stance on it all.

[andrea81]

You make a good point and I agree to some extent but I do ask myself if I would feel the same if it was another nationality i.e. Autralian....

Just a thought to add to the mix!

[andrea81]

China doll please don't say that, I'm Welsh and definatly not a part of England, at a push I would say I was a part of Britain!

[Oneeyedvic]

So British people in Wales and Scotland would often cheer on an opposing team to England.

Most people in Corby would also support Scotland over England and a lot would prefer even the French to win over England.

Most people who are British and live in Spain, Australia or whereever will still support Britain.

So presumably people like Jamie Murray should never play for Britain?

[jiggy-gb]

I'm born and bred in England, but with a Scottish father I also celebrate when (Don't laugh!) they win anything. I think it's perfectly acceptable to feel a part of your parents country if theirs is different to your own.

I am also born with a Jewish mother and Christian father and celebrate festivities on both sides. It's easy and quite normal for many to have split loyalties.

Just because these youths were celebrating India's win doesn't mean they are anti-English. They are just multi-cultured and wanted to celebrate. Had England won they would probably have jumped on that bandwagon too. Any excuse for a party?!

[Gromit]

If you are born in one country but are raised by parents that were born or taught from another country then naturally you will aquire the cultural influences of the people that raise you. The very people who were jubliant by Indias cricket win will probably be cheering wholeheartedly the England Football team.

If my parents were from the Faroe Islands and The Faroes were playing Scotland at Curling, then I would be a fervant Faroes fan. Come the football season, I would be an England fan.

Sports allegiances are fickle, and prove nothing unless youy are a Norman Tebbit fan.

[andrea81]

Well I'm Welsh and I only support Welsh rugby and wouldn't say that I would support anyone who is playing opposite England.

My aunty lived in Autralia for most of her life and has always supported Wales, but on the other hand my brother in laws neices were born in England but support Wales too due to they're personal choice as they have family ties in Wales!

So...... not sure what i'm saying but there we have it!

[jiggy-gb]

LOL Andrea! I know what you mean! And I also have to support the Welsh unless they're playing England, my man's Welsh and sulks if I don't cheer them on. Who says you can't be happy for more than one country if they win something?

[andrea81]

Invisable - don't be offended but as a rubgy fan it is blasfamy to support anyone else! Just not done!

When Wales play England it is war! All in good fun x x x

[anotheoldgit]

I don't know why this question was put on twice, except to say this site gets rather slow this time of day, perhaps I got impatient and double clicked.

Yes all good posts, just a thought though, I suppose it does make sense always to back the winning team, can't go wrong then.

[Dassie]

And we call ourselves the United Kingdom !!!. Far from it me thinks.

[andrea81]

I'm being totally honest (don't shoot) but I don't really think of myself as British, I know I am and all that jazz but I do feel Welsh and if there was a vote to become an independant country I would be in favour.

It's not because I am anti British, but just feel my identity is Welsh, I suppose my upbringing in an old mining valley where I spoke Welsh and only went to England on my hols, I just didn't see myself as part of Britain!

I hope i'm not offending anyone, I'm trying not to!

[Dassie]

In my opinion Wales, Scotland and N.I. can all become separate nations and then the English taxpayer won't have to subsidise everybody as they do at present.

[andrea81]

That would probably benefit everyone on a whole dassie, I'm sure other nations tax paying going further than the door step too!

[andrea81]

Yes invisable i can see your point as my gran was Irish, I just don't have any conections with England (or Scotland for that matter). I have no blood relatived there and like I said, I live a very typical Welsh valley life where England was made to feel like a separate country!

Only recently did I find out that we're not really a country, just a principality (and im 26!)

[oldgrape]

isn't it the same for the premiorship
i.e my man supports liverpool he's never been there
My dad supports westham but comes from manchester
i support newcastle but haven't been there
Does it really make any different