British teachers telling children to consider themselves European

Many call themselves one thing or another - and just as many find that they have real surprises in their DNA ...

Whatever you think, clicking on the DNA video below won't do any harm at all. My GCs look typically Englo-Irish - and yet have 3 different races and about 10 or 11 nationalities if the last 5 generations.

practical, referring to your earlier post, I am still living here and I am most definitely voting to stay in the EU. Banana stories like this one only serve to strengthen that decision.

I love that video granjura. Would be great to make this compulsory for everyone to participate in.

I regard my racial make up as European, however if I had DNA analysis and found that wasn't the case, I would almost expect it, if it encompassed generational data that went back centuries, it wouldn't bother me one iota, I'd find it fascinating.

Look how many Americans cling to the hope that they have Native American ancestry somewhere in their DNA.

dramatictessa- just for a bit of fun- I just love this brillaint video 'where are you REALLY from'?

youtu.be/crAv5ttax2I

I have a relative in the USA, a real tea party Trump supporter, who is a Navaho + very poor Italian immigrants to the Bronx in the 1930s. He is really racist and hates Obama with a vengeance.

Wouldn't bother me either TerriBull we are here, what else matters?

Yes, I love that video too! Maybe we should all just stop being proud of being born in a particular tiny part of this tiny planet and just get on with being human and living with all the other humans.

Is it not possible to be both dramatictessa ?

don't wish to be pedantic Welshwife but UK is not part of the continent of Europe. We are an island (or several if you want to be really pedantic).

I'm not especially proud of being British and European. I just am British and European. That's how the proverbial cookie crumbled. Not ashamed either, and in some ways, when I look at certain other counries' oppressive political and religious regimes, I'm thankful and relieved.

Me too!

Some English[and Scottish?] feel they are losing some part of their identity. Or that some people are trying to take it, without their consent.
I am wondering if the english are now starting to feel a small part of how the irish, scots and welsh feel. Or am I wrong, as we haven't been invaded for a while.

By looking at the males in my family I would be very surprised if we didn't have Viking genes

Mind you, I wish It was a bit warmer here, it would be an even better place to live.☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

I do agree obieone. I am not proud of being Welsh, I just am , but because of the fight over generations to keep our identity I suppose I follow those who went before me and want equality , no more, no less

When I was in school we were taught that there were five continents - now seven as they added the Arctuc and Antarctic - the continents were, Asia, Australia, America , Africa and Europe. Despite being an island Britain belonged to Europe just as Tasmania belongs to Australia. Has something changed?!!!

The above was to sunseeker

The most widely accepted definition of a continent is a large continuous mass of land usually separated by water

Britain is on the European continental shelf. We haven't always been separated by water from the rest of Europe. Not that it matters.

Even if this tale is not apocryphal it is hardly a reason for making such an important decision.

I consider myself Scottish, British, European and a member of the human race- the last identity is the most important but it doesn't mean I'd vote for a world government.

I think the UK should remain in the EU and Scotland should remain in the UK for all the positive benefits of working together for a peaceful and prosperous future.

@thatbags

That's how I feel. My ancestry is English, which makes me British and European. I don't feel particularly proud, but I am immensely.

I taught languages in secondary schools for most of my career and I considered it one of my aims to open pupils' minds to other cultures. However, I never told them that they should feel that had any particular nationality and I've never heard of any such thing.

PS.

thatbags is correct about the UK not always being separate from mainland Europe. In any case, it's not just about geography. The UK has traded ideas and language with other countries in Europe for decades. The Cornish have much in common through DNA and language with the Bretons in France. Some people in West Wales are descended from Portuguese. Many of us are descended from Vikings, either from the original invaders or the Normans, who were originally of Viking descent...and so it goes on. Whenever people are on the move, they bring some of their language, thinking and customs with them and adopt some of the original language, etc.

No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. (john Donne)

There are many Islands which are part of Europe - not just the UK though.

Roses I will raise a G&T to you this evening when I'll be in Spain.