To cut a long story short.......

pauli cee · Sep 27, 2014

Does the history of the British Empire make you feel proud of being British?
Just watching the fictional " The Patriot" doesn't help.
Having spent a good while travelling the beautiful shores of Africa didn't really help either for me.

Just curious like.........

The Camel · Sep 28, 2014

jcdenton08 · Sep 28, 2014

I thought the punchline was going to be;

"Is known as a synopsis"

Thank you I'm here all week.

beorhthelm · Sep 28, 2014

yes, taking that history as a whole.

brakespear · Sep 28, 2014

pauli cee said:
Does the history of the British Empire make you feel proud of being British?
Just watching the fictional " The Patriot" doesn't help.
Having spent a good while travelling the beautiful shores of Africa didn't really help either for me.

Just curious like.........

I'm not sure Mel Gibson is very even-handed with his treatment of the British over his film career, if it's any help

drew · Sep 28, 2014

Proud of my country. Given the world a lot and yes there have been mistakes on the way. Taking the fictional 'The Patriot', the Brits are made out to be right shits but the Americans weren't sweet as candy. They didn't treat the natives very well and they kept slavery long after we outlawed it. Sins of their fathers and all that you can't really judge a modern country on what happened 250 years ago.

Eeyore · Sep 28, 2014

History is just one thing after another.

pastafarian · Sep 28, 2014

drew said:
you can't really judge a modern country on what happened 250 years ago.

no you cant and this is the sensible way to look at the viewpoint.

It wont stop the usual suspects however from doing exactly this........yawn yawn yawn!

forrest · Sep 28, 2014

Ah the great debate on how great the British Empire. Yes we did bad things but we also done some great things. Recently I worked with a guy from Sudan and a girl from Sierra Leone. So I got right to the point and asked what their feelings were on the British empire and British rule. Both actually said that their families actually preferred life under British rule as it kept their countries fairly stable.

After all let's look at how wrong things have gone in many African countries and some Asian countries after independence. Pretty much dictatorships, civil wars and tribal infighting.

You can see why some preferred British rule to what they have now.

Bulldog · Sep 28, 2014

pauli cee said:
Does the history of the British Empire make you feel proud of being British?

Just watching the fictional " The Patriot" doesn't help.

YES, chest burstingly proud.

W.C. · Sep 28, 2014

Not in the slightest. But then after saying that I'm sure some Richard Littlejohn types will accuse me of hand wringing middle class guilt or some other nonsense. I don't feel shame about something I didn't do either.
History is what it is, there's plenty to look back on that should make you say 'that's terrible'. Stuff that makes you say, 'that's good' (although the further you go back people were pretty bloody horrible to each other!)
I like history, but think we should be as objective as we can about it. I have to say, I have no idea how people can feel 'pride' over events that happened 100s of years ago. Sorry, it makes no sense to me.

As for England, Britain, whatever, love the place.

TheJasperCo · Sep 28, 2014

Without having watched that documentary, yes I am proud of our history. Who can explain pride? It's just that nice toasty feeling of belonging that nationalism gives you. That doesn't mean to say I lack respect for other countries, and I enjoy learning about other civilisations and cultures going back millennia.

easynow · Sep 28, 2014

Beach Hut · Sep 28, 2014

......I lost my mind

Paskman · Sep 28, 2014

I am not sure that watching The Patriot is a good basis for understanding the history of the British Empire, anymore than Braveheart gives you a good understanding of the history of the Scottish Wars of Independence. Hollywood does not have a terribly good record at getting at the truth of history, just at getting at the personal leanings of the director or at getting maximum bums on seats in the USA.

W.C. · Sep 28, 2014

Paskman said:
I am not sure that watching The Patriot is a good basis for understanding the history of the British Empire, anymore than Braveheart gives you a good understanding of the history of the Scottish Wars of Independence. Hollywood does not have a terribly good record at getting at the truth of history, just at getting at the personal leanings of the director or at getting maximum bums on seats in the USA.

and this

Brighton TID · Sep 28, 2014

It does amaze me that this tiny little island at one time basically ran most of the world. Suggests to me that we are the home of dynamic thinking minds, and a place where folks also like a bit of a ruck.

Bladders · Sep 28, 2014

The Patriot :lolol:

Got to be one of the worst historically inaccurate film I've ever seen.

Another Pom bashing film by the Australian Mel Gibson. :wanker:

looney · Sep 28, 2014

History can be spun one way or the other and those with political vents will with the left being at least as bad as the far right.

In terms of comparisons though the left comes unstuck as compared with other empires it was more humane, less bloody and more respectful to locals customs and traditions.

As someone who tends to be more interested in the future than the past the history question becomes what is the historical legacy?

I have heard this called the Anglo-saxon legacy in the fight/defeat of 3 evils. Communism/Facism/ Religious Fundementalism.

I would add to that a global langauge, case law legal system, Railways/infrastructure, Modern Democracy, Cricket and foundation of international human rights/settlements with the Alabama settlement which preceded the Hague Convention.

Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews · Sep 28, 2014

Beach Hut said:
......I lost my mind

Standing in the dark.....

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