It is that time of year again. The rainbow flags are out in full force. Hair dye sales have rocketed. Men in skirts with their cocks dangling are roaming the streets, and the ‘Free Palestine’ flags have reappeared. It must be Pride Month: the month we are supposed to celebrate and ‘acknowledge’ the LGBTQwerty community for existing. Windows have been decorated in Pride flags, messages are scattered around streets and town centres, and the whole woke lexicon is being rammed down our throats. Obviously, one does not have a problem with people expressing themselves; however, there has been something missing around cities and towns recently: St George’s flags.
The World Cup, the most prestigious sporting tournament, has kicked off with England hoping to win our first piece of silverware in 60 years. This football tournament is an opportunity for the nation to unite as one, as all supporters come together to support The Lions. Sitting 4th in FIFA’s rankings, we are one of the favourites to lift the trophy and there is a real buzz around the country. But I have not been hyped up like I have been in previous tournaments. And this is because it has been overshadowed by all the commotion from Pride Month.
My college has not held back in celebrating Pride Month. Once June started, all Pride trimmings and flags were put up overnight and plenty of LGBT+ posters have been plastered on walls. They have also started selling special edition Pride gummies at the different food stalls, and many pride badges have been pinned to people’s lanyards. I have been desperately trying to find a St George’s Flag. There are none in the classrooms, corridors, on windows or in the canteen. I left the PE area for last, and finally I spotted one. However, it was tricky to find amidst the 47 other countries’ flags which were dangling from the ceiling. There was not a single individual St George’s Flag hanging proudly. Wasn’t there a big football tournament happening?
All food stalls had strips of Pride flags dangling from the ceiling, and they were not difficult to miss whenever I went to pay for my food. I flagged this up (pardon the pun) with one of the dinner staff and asked why there was a lack of England flags when there was a World Cup on. They were just as baffled as me, saying that they have also not seen one hanging around the college. So, why is there such a lack of English flags? I am not complaining because I am some far-right Fascist, but because if they can celebrate Pride Month, then why can’t they celebrate their own country in one of the biggest tournaments? It feels like they are putting Gay Pride over English Pride.
The lack of England and union flags in schools is largely a result of devolved educational policies, which leaves the decision to display flags up to individual headteachers and local academy trusts rather than a national mandate. So, it is not against government guidelines to display the flags, but my college has decided not to display them. They didn’t hold back on the Pride flags, though!
The recent politicisation of the national flag has arguably led to concern over its display. Many local councils are removing flags tied to public infrastructure, and research shows a large portion of the public associates these unauthorised public flag displays with anti-migrant or nationalist sentiments rather than just national pride or sport. So, there is little wonder colleges like mine are concerned over displaying the flag. But they need to get over this.
We should feel free to display the flag with pride and support for our country in the World Cup. The St. George’s flag, a red cross on a white background, has been associated with England since 1190 when it was adopted by our ships entering the Mediterranean to benefit from the protection of the Genoese fleet. The England football kit has predominantly been red, white or both since the team was founded in the 1880s. It has been associated with our country for centuries. We need to start showing it more pride and respect, just like we do with the Pride flags. The World Cup does not come around often; we need to start coming together as a nation and back our country.
Jack Watson is a 17 year-old student in Year 12 at Wyke College, Hull. You can read his Substack about following Hull City FC here. Follow him on X here.
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