Remembrance Day: Let’s Not Forget Britain’s Hypocrisy

Its the hypocrisy of it all that strikes me.

All throughout my school history, I remember partaking in the minute silence on November 11th at 11:00am. I remember being taught about wearing poppies in order to respectfully commemorate all the fallen British soldiers. I remember being taught about the history of the world wars that have led to the famous Remembrance Day.

What I don’t remember being discussed as openly or as often however is the evident hypocrisy of Britain and the controversy behind this day, particularly because of the morphed idealisation of Britain placed within the Western curriculum. The existence of the British Empire marked its control over many colonies, limiting and restricting their freedom and rights. Seems rather hypocritical considering this day also celebrates Britain’s defeat of Nazi Germany, which threatened their freedom right?

Although respect for fallen soldiers is important, there is something so ‘Hunger Games’ coded about the selective mourning for the loss of the British soldiers whilst actively ignoring Britain’s control and restrictions over their colonies. And inherently also ignoring how these colonised countries helped fight in these wars, as part of the British Empire.

Winston Churchill had an inferior outlook in regard to people of colour and advocated for how “coloured” people did not deserve the same rights as white people. In fact, Mihir Bose demonstrates how there was a lot of advocating for their freedom through the likes of George Orwell, however Churchill and the British government proceeded to disregard requests for freedom. Therefore, it is also quite striking how Winston Churchill is celebrated as a Prime Minister when we are taught in school settings, however evidently he was regressive. Bose also acknowledges how there was a rise in British propaganda in order to quiet these protests of freedom.

Another controversy in regard to this year’s minute silence involved a group of Celtic fans interrupting in order to protest against Britain’s hypocrisy and for Gaza. They made a statement suggesting that they “highlight the hypocrisy and shame of the British establishment” and how there is a selective mourning process, with Palestinian lives being disregarded.

The way in which the Western curriculum teaches history is morphed into idealising Britain and the Western world. It neglects their control over their “coloured” colonies. It neglects being able to properly advocate POC stories.

On Remembrance day, we should remember all fallen soldiers, the impacts on the colonised countries & Britain’s hypocrisy in order to encourage accountability and change.

Words by Momnah Shahnaz

Cover Image Credit: Toussaint Ruggeri/ CC BY 2.0/ Via Flickr