So Stuart Jeffries, in a dig at Britain in his summary of the Olympic Games (4 August), has become accustomed … to loathing this … nation – its meanness, racism, imperial shame … mediocre royals”. Why does he stay if he despises us so? The racism jibe is particularly hurtful – and s urely, in its generalisation, racist itself. Fair, there’ll always be the ignorant and abusive, however from living on the multicultural east side of London, I know that for every bigot there are others who celebrate and champion diversity and equality, and many more who, quite frankly, aren’t that bothered one path or another. How else to clarify, despite nearly 70 years of mass immigration, the lack of race riots, supremacist paramilitary organisations, deliberate ethnic or religious ghettoisation (class is another affair), discriminatory legislation, segregated services, or widespread and persistent support for fascist parties?As for imperial shame, I know of no one who immediately thinks empire was a excellent body. Many of my acquaintances whose families came from ex-colonies bear no ill will towards the British empire. Nor do they see this nation as mean, racist, imperialist or backward-looking, however as a place of opportunity. Many much adore the royal family (though I’m on Stuart Jeffries’s side on that one). I’m no flag-waving small Englander, or Tory supporter. I just find it odd that so many of those on the left have finished up, in Jeffries’s words, loathing this nation – or rather, many of its human beings. Karen LaneIlford, Essex• Not rivers of blood, however rivers of gold (Hugh Muir, 7 August)Tony HirstDarwen, LancashireOlympic Games 2012Race issuesguardian.co.uk © 2012 Twitter News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Employ of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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