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Sian Powell

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Is This What We Call British Culture?

Posted: 01/08/2012 00:01

I don't usually take much interest in football, especially during the Olympics, but when I read on Twitter that none of the Welsh players had sung God Save the Queen at the beginning Great Britain's first male football match I suddenly wanted to tune in (and have even watched the beginning over again).

Welsh nationalism has always been somewhat of a taboo subject, especially during prime time on the BBC, but here it was being discussed at half time of an Olympic match by Gary Lineker and Robbie Savage. How times have changed? Or have they?

Gary Lineker's bemusement over why the Welsh players didn't want to take part in singing their imperial national anthem brought the viewer's attention back to the BBC's lack of regard and knowledge towards the Nations and Regions of Great Britain. But what difference does it make, as Lineker said: "it is after all a Great British team?"

Yes, it is, but the anthem is also the English one and a symbol of the English stronghold over British culture. These 'home' Olympics as they are described on the BBC, don't mean any more to me than had Paris won the bid. Do these comments showcase more of the BBC's culture, which is as London-centric as the games themselves or are they the personal feelings of one rogue commentator? Is it a lack of education or lack of interest that causes this ignorance of cultures residing over the border or the Irish Sea to England? Or is it our fault for not pushing our nationalism within Great Britain in order to showcase real British culture (that is the culture of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)?

But of course the massive irony of these games are if they manage to inspire a generation, as their slogan hopes it will, is that the opportunities and facilities that allow young people to take part in sport will be mainly located in a different country to us here in Wales as only 0.1% of the budget for the Olympics has been spent in Wales and the cuts caused by the Olympic budget has taken many facilities away from communities across Great Britain.

Would it leave a better legacy to celebrate the nations and regions of Great Britain and allow the Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish and English flags to be flown across the games as a symbol of British multi-nationalism? Have the organisers missed a trick and an opportunity to showcase real British culture? That is the culture of all the nations and regions of Britain not just English culture dressed up in a Union Jack. This might have made more people feel a part of the games and wouldn't have caused an awkward half time discussion surrounding nationalism and the anthems of Great Britain by commentators who frankly don't understand the strength of feeling!

 
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I don't usually take much interest in football, especially during the Olympics, but when I read on Twitter that none of the Welsh players had sung God Save the Queen at the beginning Great Britain's f...
I don't usually take much interest in football, especially during the Olympics, but when I read on Twitter that none of the Welsh players had sung God Save the Queen at the beginning Great Britain's f...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Laatab
All The Worlds A Stage
08:08 on 03/08/2012
Actually my advice to the welsh, the scots and the ulsterman is to get out of this westminster lead united kindom. The only thing that unites our lands is the london based exploititive practices of the very rich. They are a parasite that feeds on us all. And by the way, I'm an englishman through and through. Take control of you lives!
17:29 on 05/08/2012
Well said, i could'nt have put it better.
18:43 on 02/08/2012
Its really not hard to understand. England has always had great sporting rivalries with Wales and Scotland and they don't want to sing what is essentially the English National Anthem, which is what it is used as far more often. English players wouldn't want to sing the Welsh or Scottish anthem, regardless of what it technically was, because it is sung by those teams when they play each other. This is sport we are talking about however and any talk of imperialism is just hogwash.
07:53 on 02/08/2012
What's more important: a song (and a dirge at that) or competing against the worlds finest and best athletes from 203 other nations?
12:09 on 02/08/2012
So an Independent Wales or Scotland couldn't compete against the other 203 nations of the world?
The only difference is that there will be 205 nations then.
07:22 on 02/08/2012
As IF the majority of people see the National Anthem as so important in the current times. I have been in Wales
18:37 on 02/08/2012
Cool story bro
02:09 on 02/08/2012
The problem with GSTQ is the fact that it directly excludes both atheists and republicans and as a Welshman to boot I can proudly say that I have never intoned it. And is not the second verse anti-scots?
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01:27 on 03/08/2012
"... is not the second verse anti-scots?..."

"Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen."

I don't see it myself ......
17:44 on 05/08/2012
Lord, grant that marshal wade, may by thy mighty aide, victory bring.

May he sedition hush, and like a torrent rush, rebellious Scots to crush, god save the queen.

Not the second verse but one appended to the anthem in 1745, cant see why anyone would have a problem there eh, unless of course they are Scottish. Anyway it was supposably dropped in time for the act of union, which only a few of our toff's voted for.

I prefer the sexpistols version myself.
00:51 on 02/08/2012
imperial national anthem? those poor oppressed welsh.

what an absolutely pathetic article.
23:37 on 01/08/2012
Who do we think we really are?
21:15 on 01/08/2012
The main problem with GSTQ as the British National Anthem (apart from it being a terrible dirge) is that by default it has also become the English national anthem so it's not surprising that people who normally play against England would not be too keen on singing it. England badly needs to get its own official national anthem for all purposes, which might help to get away from the interminable Britain/England confusion. Anyway, I don't remember Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau when they turned out for Wales - it could be that they just can't sing.

Oh, and Sian, that idea of using the four national flags wouldn't work, for a different reason. Since the abolition of the old Stormont parliament in 1973, Northern Ireland hasn't had an official flag.
23:44 on 01/08/2012
Says who? What do you think gets flown during the Commonwealth Games? Of course Northern Ireland has a flag.
00:58 on 02/08/2012
The old Ulster Banner is no longer an official flag. The Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 2000 specifies that the only flag authorised to be flown from government buildings is the Union Flag, though if they have a spare flagpole the European flag can be flown on Europe Day, and the Royal Standard is flown if the Queen is visiting. A foreign flag can be flown if the head of state of that country is visiting.
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01:28 on 03/08/2012
"...Anyway, I don't remember Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau when they turned out for Wales - it could be that they just can't sing...."

Or they don't speak Welsh?
21:14 on 01/08/2012
Enough Olympics, already!
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JeremyGold
I prefer macro bios
20:17 on 01/08/2012
I'm English - and British. I'm not Scottish or Welsh. I don't understand those feelings about nationality. I admit it.

However, the Olympic team is a GB team. That's who the players are representing. They are considered British in these games. That was the point where the football was concerned what with all the controversy surrounding the inability of the individual nations to take part in the games.

Therefore, the British anthem should be sung. As far as I am aware, it's not specifically English no matter what people may think. The English do not have a national anthem. "God Save The Queen" is an awful song though. GB needs better, least until we go our separate ways.

I don't understand why the home nations hate the English so much that they actively want them to lose a game. I wasn't responsible for all the crap the English did in the past, neither are the Scots or the Welsh for their own respective nations. Am I guilty of the sins of my father?

If Scotland withdraws from the Union, I will accept that decision. I wouldn't be happy about it. Not because I want to maintain control over Scotland, but because we are stronger together than divided. I don't want to lose that.

I dated a welsh woman a few years back. She was beautiful with a beautiful accent. Both Wales and Scotland are beautiful. Let's be friends even if we can't be lovers.

Just my 2 cents.
22:16 on 01/08/2012
There is no British Anthem - that's the point! It is the English anthem that they presume we should all be glad to join in with. I noticed that few of the English players were actually signing it - but you lot don't make a fuss over that. Rooney NEVER sings the accent, which is probably a humanitarian act rather than a political one, but I have never seen this sort of schoolgirl hysteria aimed at him. GROW UP, and find out about the true nature of the islands you inhabit. Britain is NOT greater England, as the BBC and other mijia would have us believe. Even England is not as uniform as depicted - as the Cornish.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
deluk
disgusted.
22:43 on 01/08/2012
It is officially NOT the "English" anthem (there is no such thing) and English people don't necessarily recognise it as as such. it is the BRITISH anthem and as you say Britain is NOT greater England.
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JeremyGold
I prefer macro bios
22:45 on 01/08/2012
Well, God Save the Queen is the De Facto British Anthem. England does not have an official national anthem.

I have to contend your point - "I noticed that few of the English players were actually signing it - but you lot don't make a fuss over that. ". I really don't care if the footballers sing it or not. It's their choice. God save the Queen is an awful song and needs to be replaced anyway. Your use of the term "you lot" is rather insulting as you have lumped every English person into the same basket. You don't know me and can't presume to know how I feel about things. I'm actually extremely left wing and strongly believe in the right to self determination.

I also couldn't care less about Rooney. Why do I need to grow up? I don't even like football that much.

My post was discussive with no insults or turns of phrases that could be considered insulting. Why, then do you have such a negative attitude towards me? You seem to have a real issue with the English. Why? Seriously, I want to know.

What is the true nature - in your opinion - of the islands I inhabit? Or inhabited rather, because I currently live in the US.
22:37 on 01/08/2012
Well put most footballers dont sing its all about the money now not pride
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FairPlayTony
I'm trying to think, don't confuse me with facts
18:53 on 01/08/2012
Cymru am byth. It is not possible for someone who has sung Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau as the proud red dragon is raised to sing the GB (English) anthem at a sporting event. It doesn't mean they want to leave the union. It is like expecting ManU fans to sing Blue moon. Bit silly this article.
16:48 on 01/08/2012
I think it's a load of fuss about nothing really. Half the England team don't sing the national anthem and the same applies to many other sports. Big deal.

I think the Welsh contingent of the GB football team are really up for the tournament. Bellamy, Giggs and Allen have played fantastic – why ask much more than that. They want to be there, playing for GB. And the team have done okay. So what if they don't all sing.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jessjesskk
Benevolent Zombie Power
15:15 on 01/08/2012
National anthems are part of the culture that divides the human specie across fictionnal lines.

Culture is much more important division than nations or even languages but we want to stick to clearly defined boundaries because we are affraid of the unknown and the unclear.

So we focus on these stupid and meaningless symbols (nations, borders, anthems, national teams, royalties, ...) to feel part of something clear and defined, to alleviate our fear of the unknown...

Then after, some people claim less deeper meaning...
20:27 on 01/08/2012
Thankyou for speaking such sense. I'm sick of these dogooders who have no idea of the natural boundaries that cannot be moved.
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SecularAdvocate
Media Watcher
00:41 on 02/08/2012
Can't fan you twice. Pity.
15:04 on 01/08/2012
Perhaps if you had heard some of the lads sing in the post-match shower, you might try to persuade them to remain silent. It's not a karaoke competition.