SHOULD WE..........................

[Hannoir]

I'm grateful that I was born here and grew up here, but I'm not proud to br British/English/whatever.
Why? Theres no one reason why, but I simply don't feel an afinity to the place. I do appreciate what is here and some aspects of the culture, but I just don't really think its me. Of course, politics and the behaviour of brits abroad doesn't help, but for me its more a lack of sense of belonging to the country.

[icomefromalanddownunder]

I do appreciate what is here and some aspects of the culture, but I just don't really think its me. Of course, politics and the behaviour of brits abroad doesn't help, but for me its more a lack of sense of belonging to the country.

So, could this be due to generations of city living in houses/apartments which we don't own?

I often ponder what would happen if I tried to reclaim my piece of Battersea (which was never mine, in the first place), in the way that the Maoris, Amerindians and Aboriginals reclaim (successfully or not) their land.

I stress that I am not saying that they should not reclaim their land, it's just that I have nowhere to lay claim to.

Would be interested to hear from any forumites who grew up on family farms or estates.

[Katharine]

As I have an Irish mother and a basically English father (slightly mongrel!) I have always insisted I am British rather than English. At times I have been very disgusted at the behaviour of the Brits abroad and felt ashamed of them rather than proud to be British.

The strangest thing that ever happened to us in this context was 25 years ago during the Falklands War. We were living in Sabah, Malaysia at the time and Sir Rex Hunt had previously served there, which may be significant. (OH was the British Council Representative, there was no FCO presence in the State) After Goose Green, strangers came up to us in the street and started congratulating us. The first time it happened we hadn't a clue what we personally had done worthy of congratulations. We each had it happen several times.

[J.R.]

I do appreciate what is here and some aspects of the culture, but I just don't really think its me. Of course, politics and the behaviour of brits abroad doesn't help, but for me its more a lack of sense of belonging to the country.

So, could this be due to generations of city living in houses/apartments which we don't own?

I often ponder what would happen if I tried to reclaim my piece of Battersea (which was never mine, in the first place), in the way that the Maoris, Amerindians and Aboriginals reclaim (successfully or not) their land.

I stress that I am not saying that they should not reclaim their land, it's just that I have nowhere to lay claim to.

Would be interested to hear from any forumites who grew up on family farms or estates.

I was watching the cricket highlights the other evening when Australia were playing, and noted they have a player, (the name of the player escapes me), who, although he has a Colonial name, looks DISTINCTLY Aboriginal, or at least half Aboriginal. Given that the Maori's seem to integrate into Kiwi sport, is this unusual or not the 'norm' in Oz ?

[englishangel]

Evonne Goolagong and Marian whatsername the 400m runner are just two off the top of my head.

From what I know (not a lot admittedly) Aboriginal Australians are not very combative, certainly not like the Maoris who are of Polynesian origin.

[icomefromalanddownunder]

I was watching the cricket highlights the other evening when Australia were playing, and noted they have a player, (the name of the player escapes me), who, although he has a Colonial name, looks DISTINCTLY Aboriginal, or at least half Aboriginal. Given that the Maori's seem to integrate into Kiwi sport, is this unusual or not the 'norm' in Oz ?

Hi JR

I have to confess to being a cricketophobe, so have no idea who the player might be. There are some Aussie Rules players who are at least part-aboriginal.

I think that the Maori's and Islanders are more obvious to the casual observer because they are so bl**dy big

[englishangel]

Evonne Goolagong and Marian whatsername (Freeman - I remembered) the 400m runner are just two off the top of my head.

From what I know (not a lot admittedly) Aboriginal Australians are not very combative, certainly not like the Maoris who are of Polynesian origin.

[Vonny]

Evonne Goolagong

That name used to haunt me at school "Evonne Goolagong, can't get her knickers on"

[J.R.]

I'll make a point of watching the next Ozzie match in the Super 8's, and get his name.

[englishangel]

For heaven's sake

Andrew Symonds and he is from Birmingham UK and is half West Indian

http://cricketworldcup.indya.com/event/ ... tralia.htm

[icomefromalanddownunder]

For heaven's sake

Andrew Symonds and he is from Birmingham UK and is half West Indian

http://cricketworldcup.indya.com/event/ ... tralia.htm

Oh dear: if you were referring to Andrew Symonds, JR, then, um,
I hadn't noted his name, but I did recognise him from his photograph, and I'm afraid that he doesn't look remotely aboriginal. In fact, if all cricket players looked like him, I might have to get over my phobia - quite a little hottie IMO.

I had better clarify the above paragraph, by saying that I did not mean to imply that seriously attractive aboriginal is an oxymoron, but, um, well, er, gosh I'd better quit while I'm ahead ..........................

[J.R.]

That'll save me from having to watch the Ozzies thrashing yet another poor unfortunate team - Probably us !

How does he claim Australian citizenship if he is half West Indian. I thought the Australians had always, until very recently, refused entry to persons of a dark countenance ?

[englishangel]

Andrew Symonds and he is from Birmingham UK and is half West Indian

Last time I looked that meant he is British as is Lenny Henry.

[icomefromalanddownunder]

That'll save me from having to watch the Ozzies thrashing yet another poor unfortunate team - Probably us !

How does he claim Australian citizenship if he is half West Indian. I thought the Australians had always, until very recently, refused entry to persons of a dark countenance ?

Um, no, I think that the white Australia policy got the heave-ho in the 50s, maybe 60s.

We are currently seeing really black people on the streets of Adelaide, as in Sudanese and Liberian, and other refugees from the African continent.

As for how a part-West Indian from Birmingham who is both serious eye candy and a good cricketer can claim citizenship - well, JR, how else do you think that the Aussie boys manage to beat you?

[englishangel]

My thoughts exactly.