remember who you are

“You have forgotten who you are … you are more than what you have become ... Remember who you are.”

      This quote, from a particularly dear film, pinpoints an important lesson in life. To reword this sentiment by one of the most famous on-screen lion characters, we need to know- and then remember- who we are, what we represent, and where we plan on going with that. Mufasa, of course, was speaking to his wayward son Simba, but we can apply this advice to all facets of life; to religion, to relationships, and even to political identity.

     Often, we become so focused on various pursuits or side journeys that we seem to lose ourselves along the way. Since living in London, this is something I have come to realize about the British culture and identity; that is, they don’t seem to have one anymore.

      Granted, this is my own personal opinion, and you are welcome to agree or disagree as much as you’d like. For me, this idea stems from facts, and some interpretation beyond that. I believe that Britain- in spreading its ideas to other cultures and colonies, and being diversified by other peoples themselves- has lost its uniqueness and its identity. I also believe that it is not the only nation to whom this will happen to; in fact, I think that every nation will eventually undergo this same decline.

      Now, bear with me.

      A national identity is defined as a "sense of nation... defined by distinctive traditions, culture, and language,"; so, a nation must have an underlying “sense” of itself, and be unique. Consider a country like India, China, or even the United States of America. When you think of these countries, is there not an idea or a cultural identity associated with them? Do you think of their native language, indigenous peoples, or local cuisine? Personally, I do. In considering England, however, my mind conjures up thoughts of past kings and queens, or the British empire, or expansive castles filled with lords and ladies and servants.

      Yet how many of those things actually exist and are identifying nowadays? I would argue none. So, how did England once have an identity and a culture, but then come to lose it and dilute it throughout time?

    Let’s toy with the idea of imperialism and conquest.

    Britain was, for many years, a very powerful and expansive force. They had colonies dotting the world, and their influence was vast. At its largest, the British Empire holds the record for the biggest empire ever; at one point, it held almost 24% of the land area in the whole world. 

               In focusing so much of its resources and energy and even people on expansion, some of the most “British” things were passed on to the colonies. These characteristics, which at one time were so unique and important to England, were then made ubiquitous and blasé. The English language, British ethnicity, and practices like sports, customs, and institutions were spread to colonies and locations all over the world. These things have become so ingrained and rooted into these other cultures that they no longer seem unique to Britain itself.

      Britain is also known for being a melting pot of people and other cultures. People from all over the world have come to England seeking refuge, returning from the colonies, or many other similar reasons. In my time here, I have been astounded by the amount of different languages I’ve heard, skin colors I’ve seen, and foods that I’ve encountered.  Many of these people still cling strongly to their ethnic heritage, like my church Bishop from Ghana or a French man to whom I spoke on a bus. They are living here in London, but that doesn’t necessarily make them part of the London identity. So how, then, can a place without loyal inhabitants even have a true identity?

Britain- who used to have so many things- has effectively ceased to have its own identity. Their language is no longer associated only with them. They have no homogeneous ethnic group. Their culture and people are essentially just comprised of everybody else’s. Even their own, local food is so bland and boring that you’re hard-pressed to find any staunch supporters of it anywhere.

Britain may be one of the first nations to have slowly and visibly lost its identity, but I struggle to believe that it will be the last, or that it was even the first. Perhaps all nations and countries, even small ones, once had their own individual identities before they disappeared. Eventually, the things that have caused Britain to become indistinctive and diluted- imperialism, diversification, and the loss of its own unique aspects- will eventually drive all other nations down the same path.

India, China, the United States of America, and so many others- those places that now seem to have such distinct identities- will eventually lose theirs the same way Britain has.

(here are some pictures to illustrate my point, if you're still skeptical. ...or if you just want to know a few fun places in London ;) )

Amorino. Delicious, pink, and... Italian?

Everybody's favorite, Shake Shack! Also, American.

Nando's, a South-African favorite.

(where are the traditional, tasty British foods? they don't exist! Nearly everything here is from some other country, nation or culture. Doesn't sound too "British" to me.)

Finally, something that seems British! Too bad it's literally hundreds of years old.