Quote:
Originally Posted by Livia
You understand that Britain wasn't the only "empire"? I mean, you'd get that idea from the left leaners here who seem to hate this country.
You know the Roman Empire did terrible things, but that's fine, it was a long time ago... so how long until we can appreciate a British patriotic song while at the same time having the brains to understand what the empire actually was and what it actually did.
|
The British empire is (by a considerable margin) the largest and most wide-reaching empire in global history... and also... as far as I know, the Italians aren't singing patriotic songs about the Roman Empire
.... nor the Byzantines... nor the various Reichs... haven't heard many blaring trumpets for the Mongols either.
I don't have any massive personal issue with the songs but I do think that, in general, patriotism need not include conquest. I do think there's an issue with overall British and especially English culture where the concept of national identity and patriotism is heavily linked to Empire, so there's a struggle in knowing what to sing about if NOT "ruling the waves". Most countries have anthems that are much more "inward looking" - even the ol' Star Spangled Banner is about "America at home" and not their global activities.