The Inequality of being an English White

Behaviour 5 comments

We are told we are equal, and we must fight to stop discrimination and to pretend that we are not all different.

I actually find ‘difference spotting’ a difficulty until I am reminded of my own differences. Unfortunately I am reminded all too often.
When events are organised to highlight the achievements of just one particular ethnic group, I am reminded that I am different and am ‘outside’ (or ‘inside’) a label, and so am different, to be treated differently.
Were it not for the way I am constantly reminded of ‘differences’ I’d just get on with the ’sameness’ and common ground I have with the others I live and work with.
Sadly, or even ashamedly, I am English White. I can’t help being English White, but apparently it’s something the thought police say I should apologise for.
To celebrate my own cultural heritage, individuality and diversity would be labelled an act of racism, whilst it is encouraged as a right in other ethnic groups (We’ve got Black History Month every October, but no sign of a White History Month, and there are always events for ‘Blacks’ happening in my local area, but none earmarked as for ‘Whites’. When I question this I am barked at and told that every other event ever is for ‘Whites’.).
I find this confusing and it results in reminding me that I am different and have no rights to be treated equally or as if I am the same, despite the fact that in everyday life I enjoy the ’sameness’ (however that’s measured) that binds me to my friends regardless of our ethnic groups and diversity of origin and custom.
A year or two ago, going to certain shows at the Hackney Empire where White people had to pay more than people from other ethnic groups for their tickets, I was reminded that I was different. A guy I went with who earns nearly twice as much as me, but is Black, got in for a lot cheaper than me because I was White. So, that reminded me we were different, despite the fact we are great friends. He felt quite embarrassed about Hackney Council’s kind reminder that I was different to him and was outraged at what he saw as an apartheid system in operation. Up to that point we’d been oblivious to each other’s differences and had been celebrating our sameness and our common ground of interest in the production we were going to watch.
When they deliver the Asian-only telephone directory or the Black-only telephone directory, with their explicit instructions that when you want a plumber you can use the telephone directory to find ‘one of your own kind’, I am reminded that I am different. I never get delivered a White-only telephone directory, and even if I did I’m not quite sure that when I’m looking for a plumber I want ‘one of my own kind’. I’d rather have one of the ‘reliable and knows what he/she’s doing’ kind! I don’t care about their ethnic difference or sameness to me, and I certainly don’t want to give people my business just because of their ethnic origin. Yet, apparently, others do, so that reminds me that I am different.
When I rang the local council about needing extra rubbish collected, they had to note down my ethnic origin or they wouldn’t respond. Now, I’ve no idea if that meant that I’d get ‘my own kind’ collecting the rubbish, or if it meant that I’d get a faster or a slower response based on my answer, but I do know that once again it reminded me that I am different.
I am told that if I hold up the flag of the country I was born in, live and work in, I am racist. And yet the family of Amir Khan, the talented British-Asian boxer living in the UK and representing the UK around the world, wave Pakistani flags at his events, rather than the British flag (the flag of the country he lives in and represents) and this is not racist. So, again I’m reminded that I am different. Indeed, to call me a ‘Brit’ as a shortened part of ‘British’ is fine. To call somebody a ‘Paki’ as an equally valid shortened form of ‘Pakistani’ is not fine. Different rules, so again I am reminded that I am different.
Those who live in the country of Scotland, those who live in the country of Wales, they have their own ‘governments’. When I as an English White man ask for a government for England, usually folks start on about there being no such thing as an English White person, and they deconstruct my cultural heritage and tell me I’m a cross breed, rattling on about Saxons and Normans. It doesn’t matter that the Scottish or the Welsh are equally cross-breeds, they are allowed their own government and their own radio stations whilst I’m not. Once again I’m reminded I’m different.
As an English White man I am different, yes, but, please, I just want to be treated the same as everybody else.

~ ~ There’s plenty more, plus the option to comment on this at: http://www.ChristopherEngland.com ~ ~

5 comments

  2. keep on flying the flag, chris, if we don't, we'll lose it and all it stands for! but then, should we worry 'cos we'll all be muslim in fifty years or so! Shout as loud as you can, me 'ansom.

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  3. The fact is that we Brits are very tolerant.

    We had a pride in ourselves that meant we never felt threatened by foreigners coming here and bringing their cultures,customs or religeons with them.

    The problem has been caused by two things.

    Firstly,the huge level of immigration alowd into this country in recent years.

    And secondly,the majority of immigrants lack of willingness to integrate into our society or to try to become British.

    This has alerted The British and for the first time,in living memory,they feel threatened.

    Who is to blame?

    I think it is our own fault for not standing up and saying;

    “You are welcome to come and live here,welcome to keep some of you culture,but PLEASE EMBRACE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW BRITISH!!”

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  4. To be honest I think that the problem with the term Paki is the way it was used as a form of abuse in the 1970s and 1980s, and it could only became an acceptable term for Pakistani people if they were to reclaim the term “Paki” as one of their own (like I suppose some black people have decided to use the term “nigga” to hit back at those they feel are “dissing” them. Same goes for homosexual people who have reclaimed the term “queer”) I have a feeling, howver, that Pakistani people will not try to reclaim it, as culturally it may not be acceptable to them.

    Oh, and one place where the term “Brit” mean anything else other than an abbreviation for British is in the occupied six counties of the British colony Northern Ulster Ireland, where it is use as a very abusive insult to those who serve in the British army.

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  5. People from outside of these islands are far too sensitive about these nicknames we have for non English people.

    I myself have no problem with “Polak” being thrown at me.

    I know that many Irish are very happy with the term “Paddy”.

    “Rosbif” is what the French call the English.We don't have a problem with that,nor do we have a problem with The Aussies “Pom”,or The Yanks “Limey”.

    What a sensitive lot these people are…………..

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