Recently there have been flags appearing on lampposts, bridges etc. These flags are mainly those of England. The organisers claim they are to raise patriotism.
In fact, though, it was organised by right wing people
Some authorities have removed these flags as they were symbolising the extreme right. My immediate reaction was to do so, but that might have caused more disruption and potential violence.
Near where I live, though, beneath the English flag have appeared flags of many other countries. It made me smile as we drove past. It now says, ‘Yes, we are all English and proud of both our native country and our adoptive country.
There were, I’m sure you heard, massive demonstrations, again organised by right wing people. They cleverly called them ‘Unite the Kingdom.’
What could be wrong with that? Well, nothing, but the underlying message is ‘Unite the Kingdom against immigration and immigrants.’ But I suspect that some people didn’t appreciate that and took the title at face value.
Sadly, in this country the English flag has become associated with the extreme right, except when used at sporting events. I think that the use of any country’s flag for anything other than official or sporting events should not be allowed.
Using the Flag of St George, or any country’s flag, for that matter, as a symbol of right wing policies and hatred, and also as items of clothing is wrong.
What do you think of the use of flags, and especially the flag campaign in England.
Discover more from Dragons Rule OK. V.M.Sang (author)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Dragons Rule OK. V.M.Sang (author) 
The US flag has met the same fate, Viv, now associated with fascism, racism, sexism, guns, corruption, and religious righteousness. We took our flag down, since we don’t want to be associated with the fascist movement – and that feels sad to me. I’m so sorry to hear that this is happening in the UK too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so sad. Flags should be something to be proud of and bring people together. Now they seem to represent the worst in humanity, and divide people. 😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
I dislike it when groups change it’s meaning to something that excludes others. Our flags should be for all of us, and reflect our common values.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is very sad when a country’s flag – a national symbol – becomes radicalised to the point where it no longer represents the country as a whole. I have watched the plethora of flags on television and can understand what you mean by the Unite the UK phrase – if only a workable solution can be found before too much damage is done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It saddens me, too. But what saddens me more is how the horrors of fascism, leading to concentration camps and brain-washing of the young, have been forgotten.
LikeLike
That it so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because flags are symbols, it’s too easy for anyone to co-opt them for their cause. I think it would be difficult to enact or enforce laws about where or by whom flags can be displayed. I was about to say it should be wrong to use flags as clothing items, but then what about the small flags people sew onto clothing items or knapsacks, for example?
Here in Canada people have been displaying our flag more since Trump started talking about the “51st state.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a tricky one,but I think sewing a small flag onto something is different from wearing a pair of shorts made from the flag.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!
LikeLike
As a US citizen, I’ve come to feel disgust for the sight of the American flag because it’s now a symbol of fascism and the extreme right. Also, the term “patriot” has become a code word for the maga cult here in the States. It’s both sorrowful and terrifying to realize these two symbols of what I once thought made my country “special” have become symbols of hatred, racism, bigotry, intolerance and right-wing extremism. I simply can’t look at my own nation’s flag anymore without feeling anger and betrayal.
This world feels irreparably broken at this point. I hope the UK doesn’t fall like the US has fallen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I feel exactly the same. I’m afraid the English, and the Union flags have been seized by the far right. We are heading quickly down the same slippery slope as your great country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are lots of protests and marches happening in many countries it seems. I’ve started limiting my news intake.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s so sad. 80 years since WW2 and what happened as a result of the rise of the far right has been forgotten.
Then, though, most of the world opposed it. Now it seems most of the world agrees. I recently read that a fairly high percentage in the UK (can’t remember the exact number) would like an authoritarian government. I don’t think they can possibly understand what that means.
LikeLike
Perhaps it’s due to peoples lack of knowledge of history and the fact far fewer people read now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably. And that’s sad.
LikeLike
Yes, and encouraged by some leaderships. Ignorant people are much easier to manipulate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s why I used to tell pupils who claimed they didn’t like school and didn’t see why they should go, the very same thing.
LikeLike
🧡🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have laws about immigration, right? As long as those laws are followed, immigration can be a good thing. Flags to show patriotism seem like a good thing. Flags of other countries flown in your own country – not so good. That’s my feeling, anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree about immigration laws, Anneli. Yes, we do have them, but we have a big problem with illegal immigration. Many thousands of people are crossing the Channel in inflatable boats, filled to brim with people. They are barely seaworthy and are crossing one of the busiest seaways in the world. Many don’t even make it, drowning in the sea.
Unfortunately, thanks to the extreme right, immigration, illegal immigration and asylum seekers have all been lumped together, so people seem to want to prevent all immigration.
Yes, patriotism is a good thing, but the extreme right have claimed the flag for their hateful ideas, so now, to many people it no longer represents England, but Fascism and hate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s funny. Here it is the left that conflates illegal and legal immigration. The right is trying to separate the two ideas and make the law do its job. Legal immigration is good, illegal not so good. The hate seems to be coming from the left on this side of the pond. Definitely needs some working together to get back on track.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that strange!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s how it is. The left opened the borders. The right has closed them to illegals.
LikeLike