Darie Bianca Georgiana

CCB, 1st year

CULTURAL IDENTITY/-IES OF BRITISHNESS

The United Kingdom had been seen as one of the most imposing nations in the world, but
in what relied its strength?

The discovery of the American continent in 1492 changed completely the course of
history.Britainexpanded and so it began the era of the grandiose colonial empire. After only few
centuries, this small country was to become one of the most imposing powers this world has ever
seen. Behind the desire to extend the empire was the premise that British culture and values are
superior and it is their duty to broaden civilization. Due to the imperial expansion and the
commerce, the small island from the Western Europe becamea mosaic of faiths, peoples and
languages.

It is quite problematic when it comes to define cultural identity/-ies of Britishness. There

is a difference between British cultural identities and cultural identities in Britain, as the authors
of British Cultural Identities remark.(Mike Storry 3)If Britain is a country with well defined
boundaries and a history of glorious events and personalities, Bitishness is an inclusive umbrella
term. In the past decades, one main feature of the British people turned out to be their welcoming
attitude and tolerance towards millions of people from completely different cultures. Britain
became one of the most imposing nations, the Empire having numerous and undeniable merits,
like education, democracy, railways, infrastructure, law and order. However, nothing great can
be accomplished without struggle and sacrifice. In the Elizabethan age the British Empire
covered a quarter of the total landmass and controlled more than 500 million people, gaining the
title of the empire in which the sun never set.What made this arise possible was the enormous
number of people enslaved in their own country. Most probable the willingness of the Britons to
receive people from the old colonies is also a consequence of the unfair treatment of these
people’s predecessors.

In 2001, the foreign secretary, Robin Cook, claimed that “the British are not a race, but a
gathering of countless different races and communities”. Many saw in Britain freedom and
opportunities. Therefore, nowadays, is it impossible to talk about one single cultural identity
under the etiquette of Britishness. Britain is a multicultural state, a melting pot of cultures from
all corners of the globe. All these incomers conferred vividness and also prosperity. However,
there is a dark side of migration aroused from the impossibility to control such a huge mass of
people with such different backgrounds. Although enchanted by diversity, little by little in the
heart of the hosting protecting country emerged the fear of crimes, terrorism and illegal
immigration, this being one of the reasons which favoured the Brexit.

In what concerns the adherence to the EU, back in 1960’s, many believed it was a threat
to the national identity. However, I consider this was not the only reason for the reluctant
attitude. Instead, one of the main obstacles might have been an attitude of pride, a desire to be a
super power and to exercise influence, like in the past. Britain wanted to rule, but it did not have
the power in its hands anymore, since it had lost the colonies which were the basis of economy.
Two years after applying and two failed attempts, Britain was finally part of the European
Community, although it did not last long asthe British took a pragmatic view on Europe and
eventually withdrew.

The British (serves 60 million)

Take some Picts, Celts and Silures

And let them settle,
Then overrun them with Roman conquerors.
Remove the Romans after approximately 400 years
Add lots of Norman French to some
Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Vikings, then stir vigorously.

Mix some hot Chileans, cool Jamaicans, Dominicans,

Trinidadians and Bajans with some Ethiopians, Chinese,
Vietnamese and Sudanese.
Then take a blend of Somalians, Sri Lankans, Nigerians
And Pakistanis,
Combine with some Guyanese
And turn up the heat.
Sprinkle some fresh Indians, Malaysians, Bosnians,
Iraqis and Bangladeshis together with some
Afghans, Spanish, Turkish, Kurdish, Japanese
And Palestinians
Then add to the melting pot.
Leave the ingredients to simmer.
As they mix and blend allow their languages to flourish
Binding them together with English.
Allow time to be cool.
Add some unity, understanding, and respect for the future,
Serve with justice
And enjoy.
Note: All the ingredients are equally important. Treating one ingredient better than another will
leave a bitter unpleasant taste.

Warning: An unequal spread of justice will damage the people and cause pain. Give justice and
equality to all.

Bibliography
Mike Storry, Peter Childs, ed. British Cultural Identities . Fifth Edition. New York: Routledge Taylor &
Francis Group, 2017.

https://benjaminzephaniah.com/rhymin/the-british-serves-60-million/