A Short Post -
There was a lot of flag waving yesterday on the streets of London. As Government Minister Peter Kyle pointed out today, it demonstrated free speech was alive and well.
I was waving a metaphorical flag myself.
Along with others, I was joining in the flag-waving that celebrated heritage, culture, good humour and inclusiveness - a true reflection of the United Kingdom. Even that pariah of the right, the EU flag, was in good numbers.
At the end of the evening I was pleased that I had ignored the 'news' elsewhere and watched the ‘Last Night of the Proms’ … it was the right place to be flag-waving.
I believe in free speech, and the right to protest, but not to incite violence or hatred, so I found Saturday's events on the streets of London deeply troubling. However I too enjoyed the Last Night Of The Proms. It's always an event that I enjoy but have mixed feelings about, as it does rather celebrate our colonial past, and I think the Rule Brittania and Land Of Hope And Glory sentiments have a big role in the misconception held by many white British people, that we are superior to everyone else. But I can't help but like the occasion and it's traditions. And I did very much enjoy seeing the EU flags, which came close to outnumbering the Union flags.
ReplyDeleteDee, thanks for your thoughts. I have had international (LOL!) views on the use of the songs and the EU flag which in this time of post-cancel culture I think I might write about, given I was born when the world was pink on the best of maps. At this time I can only think of replacing the jingoistic songs with 'Ode to Joy', which I'm sure the audience would also enjoy and sing along to, but might outrage the neo-free speechers.
ReplyDeleteNikki
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