KingCherry said:
Ha, make a large list stating everything bad you could find on British history, then portray that as everything that defines the British? No mention of the swathe of enlightenment from science, industry, the arts, music, literature, etc.... You're fellow nationals are happy, at the same time, to flood into Britain and grab a slice of that colonial pie. |
Actually I admire British culture and philosophy, as well as its vast contributions on all fields. That does not mean that I will pretend that it all smells jolly. There is really no way to understate the importance British people had on the destiny of human kind - both for good as well as for bad. The point, however stands in its entirety: I'd have (and I do!) said the same for my own culture and nationality (Greek, if interested).
This discussion is about BREXIT, and by extension about the side tracked discussion on nationalism, racism, and history. When it comes to this discussion, there is no much leeway to dress up a pile of garbage in nice flower beads.
Aristotle was a philosophical Colossus. He was also the teacher of Alexander the "Great", the Icon of Empire and early forms of colonialism. Science, culture, arts, they are important stuff but let us never forget that there is a very shady dimension to these.
When I have the chance to extol British culture, arts, and science, I will. Britain did not become "Great" for nothing. But that doesn't wash away centuries of violence, domination, and it being the first truly global Empire to spread its underlying culture through sword and spear and extermination.
