Britain may be on the verge of Brexit, economic disaster and an existential crisis, but it still has plenty to be proud of
Britain is a horrible little country filled with incorrigible racists and led by incompetent bigots. That is the impression you get from the news, anyway. That it hates immigrants. That it is inward-looking, small-minded, intent on self-destruction. Some of that is true, of course. There is no denying that Britain is on the verge of a self-inflicted economic disaster and in the middle of an existential crisis. There is no denying the government has created a hostile environment for immigrants, and racism has been stoked by Brexit. But you know what? I am tired of constantly hearing about how intolerant the UK is. Because I don’t think that’s the case. Despite a small but vocal contingent who wish to take Britain backwards, the country is still one of the most progressive places in the world. While I live in New York now, I still think of the UK as “home”, and I am proud to be British. We may be facing bleak times, but, amid all the doom and gloom, it is important to remember that the UK is a diverse, liberal society that has plenty to be proud of. The likes of Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage may loudly claim to represent Britain and its values, but they don’t. So, strap yourself in tightly, because we are about to embark on a whirlwind tour of Actually, That’s Pretty Great Britain.
Our first stop is the NHS. Obviously. According to the market research firm Mintel, the NHS is the UK’s most cherished institution, topping the list of “British things” Britons are most proud of. The NHS is far more than a healthcare provider – it’s a symbol of fairness. Growing up with the NHS, I didn’t fully understand how incredible it was; then I moved to the US, where healthcare isn’t considered a human right and medicine is mercilessly privatised.
Continue reading...from The Guardian http://bit.ly/2M789jO
via
0 Comments