‘Nothing wrong with being a patriot’: Readers on flag-waving ahead of England’s Argentina semi-final

England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals has turned even reluctant parents into flag-waving ones, and for Charlotte Cripps, watching her teenage daughters become patriots overnight stirred up some distinctly mixed emotions.

Writing about his 10-year-old’s newfound love of St George’s Cross, Cripps admitted he wasn’t sure how he felt about a symbol he was used to seeing at far-right marches rather than out his own car window.

It’s a thriller Independent Readers clearly know this. Many have pushed back on the idea that patriotism needs an apology, arguing that loving your country is no different from other kinds of pride.

Others said the discomfort made sense, given how hard Reform UK and the far right had worked to make the flag their own, and that they saw this summer’s tournament as the perfect moment to reclaim it.

This is a debate that goes far beyond football. Here’s what you need to say:

Patriotism only works if we live up to it

There is nothing wrong with being patriotic for the right reasons. At its best, sports unite people, especially when fans and players demonstrate good sportsmanship. Wimbledon is a perfect example of this: the country may pin all its hopes on one of our own players, but when they lose we still cheer and applaud the foreign player and are truly happy for their success. Britain is a great country and we should be proud of it… but we also have a responsibility to act in a way that shows others that that pride is justified.

culture

It’s nice to be excited to be British again

I thought Charlotte’s article articulated the reasons behind this pretty well – patriotism has been the domain of the flag-waving right over the last decade since Brexit, and even if you strip away the hatred that seems to exist in the dark corners, not much this country has done since 2016 has given us much to be excited about. It’s nice to experience the excitement of being British again, even if this feeling is short-lived.

trivet

Problem looking at the waving flag

The British won’t get their flag back until the center stops passive-aggressively looking down their noses at anyone who flies it.

As long as this continues, he will remain under the protection of the far right.

fazzie

Patriotism is not prejudice

Supporting your own country shouldn’t be controversial. Flying at St George’s Cross during an England match is not hate, extremism or a threat to anyone; It’s just pride in your country and support for your national team. But it still seems like it’s always the same part of political opinion that has the problem: I’m happy to celebrate all other identities, but not this one. Patriotism is not prejudice, and no amount of condescension makes it so.

RachelFromAccounts

‘Football is not Farage’ flags

You can buy England flags with ‘Farage Not Football’ written on the horizontal bar. I bought a pair for my neighbor’s kids.

ProBonoComments

There is nothing wrong with being a patriot

There is nothing wrong with being a patriot. Why should or should you feel uncomfortable with the concept of patriotism? How did we become so contrary that we were ashamed of loving the country that made us who we are and that we call home?

Like this

Saltiers replaced with St George flags

My son’s next-door neighbors are from Glaswegian and have decorated their home with Saltires. These were immediately replaced by St George flags as soon as Scotland were eliminated. Great people!

dogglebird

Why is British pride considered an exception?

It’s strange that Scots are proud to be Scottish and fly the St Andrew’s Cross. It’s strange that the Welsh are proud to be Welsh and fly their national flag. It is strange how every country in the world, other than England, can be proud of its national heritage – but shame on an Englishman who is proud of his ancestors abolishing slavery and bringing parliamentary democracy to the world: a country that invented the concept of a government bound by its own laws and many of the innovations necessary for the modern world.

TomHawk

The real danger is online extremism

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a passionate display of patriotism based on international sports tournaments every few years. The danger is that children secretly access dangerous extremist websites; Because we all know where this is going.

There is no money in the bank

A birth accident

Patriotism? I have never fully understood the pride of being born by accident. I’m proud of some of my modest accomplishments and my children, but that’s where it ends. How can a person be proud of something he doesn’t have?

GenesisP

Talk honestly to your children

Talk to your children honestly. Flags, patriotism, nationalism; How to come to terms with these is not simple. You shouldn’t present it to them without being muddled. Help them navigate this path by giving them information and help them start thinking about symbols, choices, and which ones they should care about.

ALyn

Some of the comments in this article have been edited for brevity and clarity.

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