Tuesday 1 November 2016

Why so much hate for the Cornish?

I would not trade my Cornish upbringing for any other in the world. Growing up in a tiny village, there was a sense of safety and community that without a doubt shaped my open-armed, trusting character of today. Perhaps this is the reason I am so naive to certain behaviors.

My mother recently organised a protest at the Cornish border in Launceston (Google 'Devonwall Protest' if you're interested). During this peaceful protest, songs were sung, speeches were made and many cars passed, beeping and cheering in support. Cornish people are proud to be Cornish! I was handing out leaflets to cars that stopped and was received warmly by the vast majority. What happened then I can only describe as vulgar at best and discrimination at worst. A young couple, about my age, slowed down as they drove past the crowds of Cornish flags and tartan. I approached the vehicle with leaflet in hand and smile on face, as I had done with several cars prior to theirs. As my eyes met with the young woman's sat inside the car, she gave me such a look of disdain before aggressively sticking her middle finger up at me, never breaking eye contact, before speeding away.





But this is not the first incident of 'Cornish hating' I have experienced. My skin has grown thick to the jibes of some acquaintances who only really reveal their own ignorance by proudly declaring "You're English, get over it!". I've had friends from over the Tamar, jovially calling me "Inbred" or a "cone-head" (whatever the hell that may mean...). This doesn't bother me. I'm big and ugly enough now to know my own identity without being swayed by the opinions of others. But when did this jibing begin? Why?


You don't have to scroll through a Cornish Facebook page for very long before finding an argument erupted in the comments, started by someone who won't accept the fact that Cornwall has it's own identity. But why all the hate?

A direct quote from MP Sajid Javid in October 2016: "Some in Cornwall see their 'county' as distinct from the rest of their 'region', a special case that should be handled separately from everywhere east of the Tamar. If we're going to make a success of the 'South West', that whole attitude has to change." Well, I'm sorry Mr Javid, but I think YOUR attitude needs to change. If you knew the first thing about Cornwall, you would know that we are different from everywhere east of the Tamar. Have you ever taken the time to learn about Cornwall's history or even visit? No, Newquay for a stag weekend does not count, Mr Javid.

So.... why all the hate?

Is it denial? "They talk our language now, they look like us, we love their pasties and their beaches. They must be part of England."

Is there an underlying imperialism bred into all English people? A pre-programmed need to come, see and conquer all that they come and see?!

Is it xenophobia? A fear that 'foreign' people are living on this increasingly English island. Anything different must be bad!


I love English people. More specifically, I love an English man, from Wigan and I'd like to think he loves me! So why all the hate for Cornwall, England? We have our own language, we have beautiful songs, we have cultural events that could stir your soul and ancient villages that you thought only existed in BBC period dramas. If you won't allow us funding or political support for these things, at least just let us be. Drop the hate and let us be what we are. Cornish.







23 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Juliet i was brought by a Cornish mother and a Scottish father on a small holding in Couch,s Mill in the 6o,s.My Cornish great grandparents were tin miners from Calstock and they crossed out British in their passports and wrote Cornish instead!One of the many things my father told me,was that only English people had sugar on their porridge!So i guess you can say i know a thing or to about being Celtic.
      Like you Juliet,i often encounter people who give me that withering look,as if to say,get over yourself you are English.My response to that is i am not,never have been and never will be.
      Whilst i'm happy to celebrate my own heritage,i am more than happy to accommodate and respect other peoples heritage.The xenophobia expressed by many people in these islands towards immigrants and refugees apalls me.Maybe its because i know that Celtic people have,and still do leave their homelands in order to survive!
      I was stood near you on the brige on sunday Juliet,and i noticed that one couple who gave you abuse,had a large St George,s sticker on the back of their car.it is very sad and irrational that they think it is alright for them to be proud of being English,but its not alright for us to defend our Cornish borders.
      it was a pleasure for me being on the bridge,with so many young people who have the same passion as myself,please keep on doing what you are doing. ajf roberts (al the postie lanson)

      Delete
  2. Nicely put Juliet.

    As a n Englishman I don't think we have 'imperialist genes' - it's more that the establishment had done a sterling job of 'educating' us about how decent we are and what jolly good eggs English people are.

    Generally we are good people - but a claim that all is not what it may seem causes cognitive dissonance - and then there are always the few sorry bigots (but then I think there are a few Cornish, French. Welsh, German etc bigots around as well.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meur ras, Stephen! I agree. A point I didn't mention is that I am more offended by people who deny my Cornish identity entirely than people who insult me because of it. It seems my generation are intent on it. Plus I have met too many people that didn't even know the Cornish language existed, which I find bizarre. But why would they, if nothing about Cornish history is taught at schools?

      Delete
  3. "There are always the few sorry bigots (but then I think there are a few Cornish, French. Welsh, German etc bigots around as well.)"
    Well written Juliet and well said Stephen.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well done Juliet for highlighting this continuing abuse of Cornish people.

    We the Cornish, our land, our language our culture has been abused by the English for centuries. It took some time for our ethnicity to be recognised, yet it still goes on. Although abuse of ethnic groups is completely unacceptable, when directed at the Cornish it’s not seized upon in the same way as abuse aimed at another ethnic groups.

    I have been a staunch defender of my Cornish ethnicity and have suffered English abuse both verbally and physically because of it, so I know how you feel. It undermines self-worth, confidence in our ethnicity to the extent that some Cornish people accept the road of assimilation as the easier route. Which of course is what the haters want.

    We can and must make a stand.

    Cornwall Council has a website to report Hate Crime:

    https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/community-and-living/cornwall-fire-and-rescue-service-homepage/keeping-safe/community-safety/hate-crime/

    Hopefully, the more Cornish people who report abuse it will get more publicity and will be acted upon.

    Oll an gwella, Juliet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meur ras! I agree that many people, of my generation especially, have the "if you can't beat them, join them" attitude as a result of their Cornish heritage being undermined or insulted. It's definitely the easier route to take. But what a shame!

      Delete
  5. I'm a Welshwoman that has spent the last 30 years living in a city that straddles the border between England and Wales. No one hates the Cornish or the Welsh, those people who profess to only hate themselves and need to direct that hatred outward.

    It's the same kind of person who will hate Asian immigrants but have a curry on the weekend. We Welsh know that Cornwall is a distinct Celtic nation, we also know that England is in no way united. A Yorkshireman is very different from a Kentishman. My point being is there is no unified England or English culture, just an amalgemation of political and linguistic peoples.

    I will happily stand by you whenever you need to stand up for Kernow.

    You want a Welsh ally, my Celtic sister? Splann! I'm there.
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meur ras, Stephanie! It is so good to know we have the support from our Celtic cousins. I completely agree with you and I like to think of Wales as Cornwall's big sister, protecting us from bullies with your louder voice! Onen hag oll! xx

      Delete
  6. Seeing that Humans evolved on the African savannahs and Seeing that Humans have a Nomadic nature it makes all of the above a bit dubious! The thought that all tourists (Emmits) are English or that all Second Homers are English is designed to encourage a hate for fellow Islanders!Having lived in Cornwall for near on 20 years and raised children here and also having many Cornish friends who would not agree and I believe that this so called hatred hurled against Cornwall is designed to provoke a political response for Cornish Nationalists to further their own cause!Whilst I'm at it lets not kid ourselves! Borders and Flags are all manmade ! The real culprits of this world are the Goverments and politicians who seem to have a very different perspective on society than most of the ordinary folk of the Planet!Change can be made without the need for political maneuvering .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meur ras, Bob. In my opinion, the worst type of hate that we get is denying us of our Cornish identity, which I get all the time. "You're English, get over it", using the term 'county' in the media all the time and the fact that our government seems to have made every effort to sweep our Cornish heritage and culture under the carpet. For example, funding of the Cornish language has been cut. The English reply to this is usually "Good! Waste of tax payers' money!". They seem to forget that we pay our taxes too - loads of which I'm sure goes into huge, magnificent English cities (of which we have none) and in the grand scheme of things, it's a tiny amount of money that would make a huge difference to the preservation of Cornish language and heritage. Something to think about. Oll an gwella!

      Delete
    2. Dydh da! Juliet.One thing that needs to be put to bed is the Notion that it is "The English" that is behind your dilemma.Thats a big assumption that there are people all over the country sitting behind closed curtains plotting Cornwalls downfall!For this diverse Island to be fighting amongst itself in 2016 is beyond belief ! Celtic? Anglo Saxon? what does it actually mean ? Lets go through the whole worlds history over the past two thousand years to see the diabolical things the Human Race has inflicted on each other but to want it to continue is stupidity of the highest order! Surely we as a species have learnt something over the years ? As I hinted in my first post Politics and Politicians are the root cause of it all and all because there is a lust for Power ! For the majority of the ordinary citizens of these isles their main priority is not only getting on with life but also prioritising Family and Friends whatever their ethenticity,Sex,Colour or sexual orientation . I don't mean to sound simplistic or naïve but its true! If you think about it , it doesn't have to depend on funding to carry on with Language or traditions it just takes the will of the people!Five of the Six Cornish Tory MPs are Cornish Born and Bred so not "English" and unfortunately I know of a lot of "Cornish " people who voted them in ! On the CAAN facebook page have a look at all the insults and abuse aimes at "English" people what is the difference? I love Cornwall with all my heart but feel the "insular" mentality is a lot more damaging than anything iv done! If the will was there from councils , Local Politicians ,Cornish businessmen then anything is possible............Oll an gwella

      Delete
  7. Great article, couldn't agree more

    ReplyDelete
  8. Meur ras, Myghal! I'm amazed at how many people have said they have never heard of discrimination against Cornish people, it seems to be a regular occurence for me! I'm not sure if it could be a generational thing (younger people are more likely to be ignorant of these things??) or if it's usually only targeted at people who speak up for Cornwall? Oll an gwella!

    ReplyDelete
  9. If I state that "I am not English" it seems to be taken as a personal insult to the English person i'm speaking to, especially when I follow up by declaring I'm Cornish. I have been variously described as racist, mad, stupid along with various expletives. The government would love to annex Cornwall into England but can't legally without admitting we aren't part of England (catch 22)

    ReplyDelete
  10. The man who did that is the one who has issues not an entire country !If I was a northerner I would get it from some Southerners and vice versa! The thing is we all know there are some really ignorant people in this world nfrom all countries , Classes and Colours ! I'm getting it on some pages just by being English ! Do I think it is the whole of Cornwall ?? well of course I don't !

    ReplyDelete
  11. That would be fine, if it were only the few ignorant people that acted like this. But it's the people making decisions for Cornwall in government that also seem to be ignorant of Cornwall's identity. Such as the MP mentioned in this post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You must have heard this a thousand times but its not only Cornwall that is ignored by Westminster !Which is why Cornwall needs to have its own assembly ! I may also be wrong but I havnt noticed any lack of Cornish identity either ? There are traditional festivals and celebrations happening all the time ! The other thing Cornwall is facing is the Global access Kids have today of which they participate with a fervour and of their own free will !

    ReplyDelete