Was it patriotic to clap for Captain Tom?

[-- can be--] can do

It's a matter of choice, you either clap or you don't, end of story. No need for reasons/ remarks if you do or you don't, but there's always someone out there who has an ulterior motive.

I have much sympathy for the curate’s opinions. I didn’t clap.

I agree with EllanVannin

People can clap or not clap

No need to boast or brag about it.

There were many other people of extreme age or with disabilities, doing much the same as Captain Tom Moore, but the media didn't alight on them and hype it up.

This does not in anyway diminish his achievements, which deserve respect, but the description given by this curate could be applied to many other people like him during the same period of time. They just did not attract the media and popular eye.

I didn't clap either as I find it offensive after someone's died.

Personally I thought it unnecessary and OTT.
I never thought of it as a matter of patriotism. I really don’t understand where that idea came from.

Oh I can understand where that idea came from. It came from the same section of the British people who think if a white British man does something good the reason for his behaviour is that he is a white British male.

There were many other people doing "much the same" as Captain Tom but they did not have his back story or his personality. He caught the moment and reminded us that we can be decent human beings with a sense of humour.

I don't clap when politicians decide I should. I make up my own mind - nothing to do with being patriotic or not as this was about one man and what he has achieved at the end of a very interesting life. I also wish people would stop telling me what I should think is patriotic and what I shouldn't when it comes to minutiae of what people wear or where they stick their flags or what I think is best for our United Kingdom.

I didn't clap because I don't see what it achieves, but it does make me sad that it seems we are not allowed to celebrate anything a white British male does in this Country as this is deemed patriotism. I am not sure why it is deemed so terrible to be patriotic, if that is in the true meaning of loving your Country. We are happy for anyone in any of the devolved nations to love their country, but not if you are English it seems?

It could have been more patriotic to sing the national anthem? If anyone remembers it? That's what we used to do!!

B9exchasnge:

Patriotism is not enough. Unfortunately patriotism is sometimes the excuse of white male supremacists for their rowdy acts.

I don't consider 'white British nationalism' to have anything at all to do with 'patriotism'. I think it debases the meaning of patriotism.

I feel sorry for that young curate. Any even slightly controversial opinion on Twitter will attract a pile on.

I clicked on the link and read the tweet. It was very unpleasant. I’m not surprised it was quickly deleted. Such statements are nothing but divisive in our generally inclusive society.

I can understand the thought given the way the sacrifices of so many people of colour who gave their lives for Britain is hardly acknowledged, but not the tweeting of his thought which was ill-judged. I wouldn’t have joined the clappers anyway but being asked by the PM to clap for the dear man after he died was what turned it into a farce for me.

It’s really a bit more complicated than the OP suggests, if you read the article.

The trainee curate who has caused the controversy actually tweeted
The cult of Captain Tom is a cult of White British Nationalism. I will offer prayers for the repose of his kind and generous soul, but I will not be joining the ‘National Clap’.
‘White British Nationalism’ is not patriotism, and although I didn’t clap myself, I think that to suggest that anyone who did, is aligned with the cult of the BNP and Britain First is quite offensive.
The curate has written a book, Black, Gay, British, Christian, Queer will be published in July, which gives some context to his tweet and the reaction to it.
Despite 400 clergy and lay members of the church defending the curate’s right to freedom of speech, the London Diocese said that Robinson-Brown’s comment was “unacceptable, insensitive and ill judged. The fact that he immediately removed his tweet and subsequently apologised does not undo the hurt he has caused, not least to Captain Tom’s family. Nor do Jarel’s actions justify the racist abuse he is now receiving.”

It’s all in the article.
I think your thread title is quite misleading Alexa.
It’s not about patriotism or clapping or Captain Tom at all - is about perceptions of racism, homophobia, nationalism, and freedom of speech.

Sorry crossed posts with the last few comments.

B9exchange

I didn't clap because I don't see what it achieves, but it does make me sad that it seems we are not allowed to celebrate anything a white British male does in this Country as this is deemed patriotism. I am not sure why it is deemed so terrible to be patriotic, if that is in the true meaning of loving your Country. We are happy for anyone in any of the devolved nations to love their country, but not if you are English it seems?

I may have got this wrong but aren't you saying exactly what I said I object to. You seem to be defining what it is to be patriotic and expecting others to agree with you. No one person can tell others what they can see as patriotic or we may as well be living in North Korea.

I have to agree with MaizieD and Alexa. If what you mean is the "white British nationalism" or Nativism that has been throwing it's weight around in recent years I most certainly don't call that patriotism - far from it.

Alexa

Oh I can understand where that idea came from. It came from the same section of the British people who think if a white British man does something good the reason for his behaviour is that he is a white British male.

????

Alexa

Oh I can understand where that idea came from. It came from the same section of the British people who think if a white British man does something good the reason for his behaviour is that he is a white British male.

Not quite, Alexa

The clapping for different events started many years ago, Possibly in USA

However, the NHS clapping got started by a Dutch national, living in London, Annemarie Plas

I think the trainee Curate is going completely over the top. I did not see this little, very elderly man as a cult leader and am very surprised that he feels the whole walk and collection for the NHS was a founded on "White British Nationalism".

He is allowed his opinion, of course but mine is that he got this very, very wrong and did damage to what he appears to be fighting for.

of course it wasn't patriotic, it was clapping for Cpt Sir Tom moore raising so much for NHS That was the suggested idea well done to him,

Thank you for your post, Jane Ainsworth, which puts the rather selective original quote into context.