I get an extra day’s holiday. This concludes how much
this will affect me. Oh and I’ll have to turn off the TV to avoid the endless
adverts and coverage.
I’ll be honest, most of that isn’t political statement,
it’s simple indifference. I have never been even slightly interested in any
sport. Least of all athletics. People run around in circles or throw things or
swim back and forth – I just don’t get it. I don’t get why you’d want to do it,
let alone watch other people do it.
And I also strongly dislike big international sport’s
bodies because they tend to be indifferent too prejudice and bigotry –
including when it comes to choosing host countries where marginalised people
can get involved without, y’know, being institutionally murdered or flogged or
arrested. That’s why beloved stopped following football after the world cup
debacle – but the Olympics isn’t a shining counter-example
As for the Jubilee: I’m not a republican by any stretch,
but nor do I feel the need to praise the monarchy. I especially don’t feel the
need to praise the long reign of a monarch over a vaunted “kaleidoscope kingdom”
who
has never deigned to acknowledge me and mine exist. It was always vexing,
but to continue to do so while presenting us as varied and diverse is
insulting.
And I don’t big patriotic celebrations – because patriotism is a short hop from nationalism which is generally very ugly. Can you do patriotism without nationalism? Certainly – but “can” doesn’t mean “will”. Besides, all that silly flag waving is so American :P
Also, all in all, they’re big London celebrations, anyway
– oh don’t start with the whole country crap, by my whippets and flat caps I
know that’s not true. Up here, in Yorkshire, we will feel some of the ripples
of these big national events, but only if we get out there and make a local
community effort rather than being part of a national effort. Which, frankly, I’m
also not keen on because I’ve never been a fan of “local
community”, somewhere in my vaunted local community is someone writing
nasty little notes and keying my car.
I am faintly irritated that World Pride is actually being
held in London this year as well, and not only will it’s thunder be completely
unheard against this background noise, but I probably won’t be attending
because even going near the capital while this is going on is going to be a
chore. Yes I’m pouting
