Bennett, Rosalind
What are the religio-racial boundaries of contemporary English identity?
Master thesis, Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation.
Abstract
This thesis uses the framework of formal versus moral citizenship to examine the unfolding discourses emerging over Twitter during the European Championships 2020. This will be done by focusing on the tweets of British politicians, the official @England twitter account, the Mayors of English cities, journalists at British newspapers and current and former England footballers. This allows for the identification of key messages of significance, myths, symbols and narratives about race, religion and English identity. The overarching argument presented is that to be English is considered to be English-speaking, white and Christian, or secular. From the outset, the tournament was characterized by intense debate since the players decided to ‘take the knee’ in solidarity with the global Black Lives Matter movement. Many people supported this decision, but others felt it was not only a non-English problem, but also a ‘Marxist’ movement or simply a meaningless gesture. As the team progressed throughout the tournament, their success meant that many accepted the players moral citizenship. They were granted contingent insider status as they had showed their dedication to the team and country. However, once the players failed at the final, they were judged to have let down the nation. This moral status was taken away and they received intense levels of abuse. As football is a microcosm of broader society, this seven-week-period reflects broader conceptions of English identity and nationalism and highlights the influences of historical events, as well as the influences of factors such as religion and race.
| Type: |
Thesis
(Master)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
| Supervisor | E-mail | Tutor organization | Tutor email |
|---|
| Wilson, E.K. | | Faculteit GGW, Christendom en Ideeengeschiedenis | E.K.Wilson@rug.nl |
|
| Degree programme: |
Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation |
| Academic year: |
2021-2022 |
| Date of delivery: |
16 Sep 2022 07:44 |
| Last modified: |
16 Sep 2022 07:44 |
| URI: |
https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/653 |
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