By Ben Gbadamosi, Second Year, History and Spanish
I was looking for a t-shirt to buy recently as an early present to myself, but got scared of being seen as racist. I had a choice between two designs. The first was a sketch of Marcus Rashford’s face on a red top with a caption reading ‘leader of the opposition’. It's a clever pun on his status as a footballer and campaigner for free school meals during lockdown, against the inaction of the Boris Johnson government. The other was a design on a blue background with a St George’s Flag front and centre, with the phrase ‘pride not prejudice’ written along the centre of the cross. It was cool. Dead cool. A positive reclamation of Englishness as a thing to be proud of, to belong to, not an identity defined by prejudice.
However, looking at it longingly, I knew all too well that the pernicious associations of the flag are now widely accepted. My friend Ryan, of Indian heritage, says that when he goes back home from uni to Essex and sees a street full of St George’s flags that he gets worried. My friend Oscar of Jamaican heritage says that his reaction to the same sight is just an ‘ugh’. Why is this the case? Simply put, because of the appropriation of the flag as a symbol of ethnonationalism and intolerance of immigrants, of intolerance to anything which is not white British. It is a staple in protests outside migrant hotels, and on Reform UK marches.
'Optimism is the best way to combat the twin evils of economic woes and the rise of intolerance'
This frustrates me, because that is not what the flag should stand for. I can consider myself English regardless of what Nigel Farage may think. I am born here, speak the language and have lived here all my life, just like Oscar and Ryan. That's even if half of my heritage comes from immigrants from the former colonies of Ireland and Nigeria. Mr Farage, who went to the same school as me, also has foreign ancestry. His surname is possibly French Huguenot, and he has German ancestors, which serves as an ironic nod to the history of migration which has shaped these islands, from the Anglo-Saxons to the South Asians. What we need to realise is that it does not need to be like this. Indeed, it should not be like this. We need to make the St George’s flag into a symbol of something positive, an inclusive Englishness which acknowledges the reality of our diversity. According to the 2021 census, 18% of the UK population is Black, Asian, mixed or other in terms of their ethnic identity, and in 2025, among school children across all regions in the UK, 38% are non-white British. That figure is 67% in London. We ask, can the England flag become a positive symbol for all of us? (in Mick McCarthy’s voice) It can!
There is much to be proud of in both English and British history, the present day, and indeed much reason to be optimistic in the future. Our music culture reflects this feeling of optimism: Oasis, a Manchester band led by the Gallagher brothers who have Irish roots, include the union jack in their aesthetic as part of their band identity. UK underground rappers too. South Londoner Jim Legxacy recently made an album called Black British Music (2025) which reached high critical acclaim, another (Oxford educated!) rapper called YT poses in Union Jack sunglasses for the cover of one of his songs Prada or Celine, and companion Len released an EP this year with the tickling indictment to MAKE BRITAIN S3XY AGAIN. Their use of the Union Jack, and not the England flag is possibly because, in representing Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland too, the Union Jack is already a more inclusive (and more internationally recognisable) symbol.
I hope that the England flag can acquire the same positive associations, and despite economic challenges, heady geopolitical times, NHS struggles and the rise of right-wing populism, there is lots to be appreciated and be hopeful about in the country - our music not least. Optimism is the best way to combat the twin evils of economic woes and the rise of intolerance. We should demand improvements in quality of life related to our NHS, the cost of living, and indeed the success of the England men’s football team, still blessed with a golden crop of players who could possibly do very well again in the world cup next year. The women’s team has already been giving us reasons to smile.
Sebastian McGrath
Hope is so important, and I personally would love to see a country where people are happier in themselves, happy to live alongside people different to them, and with a much-awaited world cup win for the men to cap it all off. Once this era dawns, I will safely be able to wear my t-shirt without fear of recrimination. However, this will not come about by accident. We should stand up to racism, use the flag as a symbol of togetherness and unity in diversity, and demand a great quality of life until all these things are achieved. The fight for a better England, a better Britain, and a better world continues!
Featured image: Unsplash / Tommy Van Kessel
What does the St George's Flag mean to you?
