Tuesday 24 May 2016

Continental


Here in the U.K. there is a great struggle going on across the nation to do with whether or not we should leave the E.U. (in case you haven't noticed).

Journalists are travelling to all sorts of European countries, trying to ascertain what it really means to be a European.

It is turning out to be just as difficult a concept to grasp as what it is to be a German, a Dutchman or an Englishman.

It will be just as acceptable to refer to yourself as an Englishman, they say, if you are also a member of that great tribe of Europe. You do, after all, consider yourself English, even though you are simultaneously British, don't you? So where's the conflict?

Holland, a Canadian was saying on the radio this morning, has seen itself as a haven for the dispossessed for centuries, whilst at the same time as carving great territories for itself across the world, making great highways of the oceans whilst increasing its domestic territory by pushing the ocean back into the highways. Then why are there loads of Dutch weaver's cottages dotted around the South of England from when Protestants fled Holland in the 17th century?

Great Britain  was never any greater than when fighting the Dutch and Spanish for someone else's territories, but in this context, the word 'great' only alludes to a collection of little islands lumped into one territory, so don't get ideas above your current station in world politics. It should be called 'Greater Britain' now that Ireland is a republic, then politicians could say, "Britain has never been greater!" and still not be accused of lying.

2nd generation Brits are now forced to admit to something like, "I feel British first, English second, European third and Indian fourth." Well, there is no such thing as a true Englishman, I am afraid to say. We have been a mixture of all the invaders since the island broke away from the coast of what is now Holland and France, hundreds of thousands of years ago. It's a myth.

Now stop right there and remember one thing amongst all these stupid attempts to sway you one way or the other:

Europe is a continent. It is a large body of land that has remained in one lump, like Africa, America, and Asia.

A rousing anthem ripped-off from Beethoven (which originally celebrated the defeat of the French) and a flag which accretes little stars by the month should not distract you from this simple fact.

If you want to talk about economics, then go ahead, but don't muddy the water by trying to convince us that there is such a thing as a European spiritual identity.

17 comments:

  1. There is so much nonsense being spoken about Europe at the moment (from both sides) that if they're trying to lessen the confusion, they're doing a damned good job not to. Almost everyone I meet is on the 'don't know' bench.

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    1. They don't want to lessen the confusion, even if they could.

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  2. Once beyond the shores of Europe and the UK, other nations probably label the whole land mass (UK included) as Europe and don't even think to differentiate between individual countries - they just lump us all together.

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    1. America has been doing that for years.

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    2. At least I know that the number of stars on the EU flag has nothing to do with how many countries are members.

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  3. Can't make out from your post whether you are in the stay or leave group - or perhaps it is your intention to leave us guessing.

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    1. I am guessing myself right now, but the clock is running down. I am as confused as everyone else. I suppose I lean more to the left than the right, but that does not bring me to any clear-cut decisions about the pros and cons of staying or leaving.

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    2. Now that Corby is backing Cameron, it's even more confusing.

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  4. I never know what's what with politics, but I agree that there is no 'European spiritual identity'. Under the general term of 'Europe' we have so many countries that are so very different from one another. And that's great. I love the diversity. I identify with being Schwaebisch (my home state) the most, then with being German. Here in the States I jokingly claim to be from A'ropa, and I find myself having a moment of pride. Hm.

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    1. Your comment reminded me of a friend from Schwäbisch Gmünd who once told me she felt her identity rooted in the SW pocket of DE. She said she felt slightly less affinity with those from other areas of DE, but, of course, that's not to say she doesn't enjoy the country as a whole. I guess 'Schwabenstolz' runs deep! ;)

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    2. Right now, I wish I was Cornish.

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    3. Don't know about the 'Cornishians', as I shall call them, but I do feel very similarly to Bea's friend.

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  5. The Austrians and Germans have something called Niebelungentreu. They are always having a go at each other but when it really comes to the crunch you'll find them ending up on the same side. Bit like the Scotland and England relationship I think.
    Switzerland is the nearest thing to a functioning EU with its 4 official languages. But then it's not the EU. The Spanish are split into 3 or 4 camps. As for Belgium, the place is a complete disaster. I don't know what to think. I'm still with following Mrs Thatcher's thinking on Europe.

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    1. Julius Caesar said of the Germans - "If only they would unite as one and stop fighting each other as tribes, they would be the best fighting force in the world."

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  6. I am English, live in France and do not ever consider myself as European. How I shall vote is a problem at the moment and will be until the X is made and the Postal Vote sealed up and posted.
    Many years ago, 50 plus, a consensus of the British was that Europe was white as opposed to Asia, Africa and South America. Not any more and rightly so. So many things have changed. Interesting times we live in...

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    1. Yes, globalisation does not come without problems and neither do borderless territories, no matter how worthy the idea.

      A conundrum: To take in all refugees from despicable killers without taking in the despicable killers at the same time. Difficult.

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    2. At a time when the difference between good and evil has never been so clear - when the world does seem to be capable of being divided into goodies and baddies (if it ever is), it could not be so complicated.

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