British Identity

I have been thinking a lot about nationality lately. Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party has made what, or who, is British a central theme in his attempt to create a white, anglo-saxon, protestant Britain. The fact he was elected to the European Parliament should be a wake up call to Britain. However, looking out at the audience during BBC's recent controversial Question Time, I saw a Britain that is rich, diverse and made up of many different identities. Different colors, different head gear, different accents, different religions. Almost all (I did hear some clapping for Mr. Griffin), very much against the BNP leader and all he stands for; And All British. Not just the audience. Those on the panel ran the gamut of political opinion, race, religion and gender. Yet all consider themselves British.

I have been thinking a lot about nationality ever since I moved to America 21 years ago. I never really thought about it growing up in London. I just knew I was from England - British, had a Queen, a long imperial history, which I learned about from textbooks and visiting old castles. My personal history was different. My parents were born in England, and three of my grandparents, but go further back and you will find my ancestory in Russia, Poland and some other long forgotten places in Eastern Europe. I did not proudly wear the Union Jack or display it from my front porch. In fact growing up in London in the 70's and 80's the Union Jack was more reminiscent of the National Front than of national pride. And then I moved to America in the late 80's. Fresh out of university - idealistic, looking for adventure. There was a sense of freedom in America. A removing of the weight on my shoulders that I did not know I was carrying, but at the same time I found myself identifying as a Brit in ways I never would have expected.

Free education, free health care, benefits of a multicultural society, correct spelling! I found myself in many a discussion arguing the finer points of a democratic, socialist society who does not have a truly written constitution. My liberal, European views were up against the more mainstream conservative views of America. I found myself identifying nationally. I wanted people to know I was British. I wanted to wave that flag from my front porch, or wear it proudly. I wanted to be different. I wanted British to be part of who I was.

America was known as the melting pot. People coming from all over with different religions, different races, different identities, and melting together to create a new American identity. There have been differing opinions on how that has worked. I prefer the new term which is being used, especially in educational circles - The Salad Bowl approach. People coming from all over with different, religions, different races, different identities, different ethnicities, and mixing together not to dilute their own sense of self but to create something together - a salad. A big beautiful rich salad. You cannot have a salad without all of its parts. I would like to suggest that Britain is also akin to this big salad bowl. The whole is not going to be as good without all its parts together.

I have been thinking a lot about nationality. Being Jewish, Mr. Griffin is probably very happy I left Britain. It took me leaving the country to make me truly British. Perhaps I can suggest the same for him.