Today is St George's Day. In the past this has been misused in England as an excuse for narrow nationalism, bigotry, xenophobia and imperial self-regard. It doesn't have to be like that. Sadly, however, those traits are still around. In an uncertain, conflicted world, identity remains important. Who are we and who or what are we loyal to? Trying to "re-invent Englishness" without questioning our past, present and future amounts to attempting to fashion national cohesion without honesty and humility. It is not only flawed but dangerous, given what is lurking (rather openly) in the shadows. One place we could start is by looking at what we have done to the myth of St George himself. I've flagged that issue up (so to speak!) this morning. Ekklesia took a more lengthy look a couple of years ago in When the Saints go marching out? St George for a new era.
3 comments:
'In the past this has been misused in England as an excuse for narrow nationalism, bigotry, xenophobia and imperial self-regard.'
When and how?! This is absurd! St. George's Day has been traditionally a day to be ignored at least in my lifetime (somewhat shorter than yours I have to say although I think the same applied pre-1973). Find some other windmill to charge.
I take it that your path has not crossed the National Front, certain kinds of football fans, the BNP, the League of St George, the Empire Loyalists, etc etc? Oh, and I love windmills... wouldn't dream of tilting at them, let alone charging ;)
Of course we celebrated the day itself with much partying and joyous Morris Dancing up here in Scotland!
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