Young people are acutely aware of juggling traditional divisions of class and race and want to slough off the old parochialism they discern around them.
| I was born in Britain. But I dont like saying Im British because I dont feel I am. |
For black children, being British is problematic. Its all about the Queen, the Union Jack and the British bulldog. I cant relate to the Queen - I cant say my mum looks like her because she doesnt, says Erica Rutherford, 16. I was born in Britain. But I dont like saying Im British because I dont feel I am.
Yet white children resist defining themselves as British too. Why? When I think of Britishness, all I can think is snobs, says Rosslyn Shaw, 14, who often spends her summers with her fathers Italian family.
The limitations of classifying an increasingly complex society by simple labels is felt most keenly by the children who know theres currently no place for them. Mixed race people become confused and dont know which identity to adopt, says Grace Lipski, 14, whose dad is from England, her mother from St Lucia. They have to act in a certain way to fit into society. Sometimes, if they act the way they are, people wont accept them so they have to pretend.
Instead, young people would like us to revel in our differences. You should be interested in the differences between you and the next person, in their cultures and their backgrounds, says Erica. You shouldnt make them an issue and they shouldnt create a barrier between you and this person. Abeyna Jones, 14, adds, Britain is made up of different people that is the culture.
This work was originally presented to The Runnymede Trust.
About the team
This article was produced by Senab Adekunle, 17, Marvyn Benoit, 14, and Chris Fletcher, 14. It was published in Local Government Voice Solo.
