British too frightened to celebrate St. George's Day

The Death of the West, Part XIII

• Frightened of being called "racists" the British move away from the celebration of the national saint’s day because it could "upset" ethnic minority groups.

The think tank 'British Future' believes the English are “too nervous” to celebrate St George’s Day, after a poll found they were more likely to be able to correctly name the date of the US Independence Day and St Patrick’s Day than they are their own national saint’s day

The English are more likely to be able to correctly name the date of the US Independence Day and St Patrick’s Day than they are their own national saint’s day, a new poll has found.

The survey found only 40 per cent were able to identify St George’s Day as falling on April 23, compared with 71 who could give July 4 as the American national holiday and 42 per cent who knew that March 17 was the Irish one reports the UK Telegraph.

British Future, a think tank specializing in identity and integration which carried out the study, says the results suggest many English people are too “nervous” to celebrate St George’s Day.

It cites concerns among many that national symbols like the St George’s Cross flag may be interpreted as racist by others, and that celebration of the national saint’s day could upset ethnic minority groups.

It also accused politicians failing to “engage” with the concept of Englishness, to help to promote more pride in it.

Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, said: “Why shouldn’t we be able to celebrate Englishness? We’re all happy to come together as a nation when there’s football or cricket on, so why keep the flags in the drawer for the rest of the year?

“It’s a bit baffling that people in England will happily enjoy a pint of Guinness on St Patrick’s Day but then get nervous about celebrating St George’s Day too. We need to get over it and celebrate Englishness more."

Saint George
Lived approx. 275/281 – 23 April 303 AD.  Born in Lydda in Syria Palaestina, was a soldier in the Roman army later venerated as a Christian martyr. His father was Gerontius, an important official in the Roman army.
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Saint George became an officer in the Roman army in the Guard of Diocletian.  Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic (Western and Eastern Rites), Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches. He is immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon.  His memorial is celebrated on 23 April, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints.
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Also see Saint George.