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Billy Bragg

@billybragg.bsky.social

50K followers 7 following 440 posts

Still waiting for the Great Leap Forward

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Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 8h

But the majority of the white working class identify with that flag and you can't dictate to them how they identify any more than the TERFs can dictate to you how to identify. And how do you expect to build a better society for everyone if you dismiss 'white' as a synonym for 'racist'?

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 9h

The fact that you dismiss the white working class as racists I find really troubling. Those gammons on X are a tiny but noisy minority. Most are fair-minded people who struggle to make ends meet. If our politics is not about making their lives better, what is it for?

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 9h

I recognise that some on the left think the flag is irredeemable. It's an argument I've heard many times. But it begs the question of how you hope to build solidarity with the working class when you're telling them that the symbol with which many of them identify is the same as the swastika?

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

I’d like to think that a message that says No To Hate has a positive effect on us all.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Have a look on my Facebook page. There are plenty of people asking me to make stickers with the same message over the Scottish and Welsh flags.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

I’m not saying I know best. I just have a different opinion about how to address the rise of the far right. We happen to disagree about how to go about it, but that’s not unusual on the left.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

I’m not presuming to lecture you on racism. I haven’t discounted what you’ve said, merely challenged you as you have challenged me. And just because others agree with you, doesn’t mean I have to.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

The Lionesses fans are not waving in support of colonial oppression.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

What’s that got to do with racism?

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

When waved in support of the Lionesses

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Are you on drugs?

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

I’m willing to debate. And if you don’t need me to challenge your views I suggest you stop posting comments in my thread.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

As I’ve already stated flags are all about context

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Not really. I’m just challenging your views about flags and what it means to be English.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Hey I can take it! I know there are plenty of people on the left who don’t like flags. I just happen to believe that by refusing to grasp that nettle we surrender the right to declare who belongs in our society to the far right. I’m not prepared to do that anymore

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

I’m arguing about reclaiming the flag with a bunch of people who really don’t like flags.

Of course I sound dreadful.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

This many?? A dozen people on social media? C’mon. The fact is some people really don’t like flags. I get that. I just have a different opinion.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

No, the implication is that the flag waved for the Lionesses is a celebration of unity

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Good faith or not, they still believe that the Palestinian flag is toxic. I’m not making a comparison of history, just observing that flags are about the context in which the observer sees them.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

If you think that the flag shaggers love this idea, get yourself over to X and see how much abuse they’re giving me about this initiative

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

You don’t know what being “English” is? That’s fine b/c identity is a personal construct. But it might explain why you don’t want to reclaim the flag

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Why is it ridiculous? You say that the English flag is always a negative symbol and I’m just pointing out that there are those who believe that the Palestinian flag is also always negative. Are they right too?

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

No, not really. It’s about manifesting solidarity with those who feel intimidated by the flags.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Of course, and that’s their opinion. I see it a different way.

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 1d

Also waved by thousands of young women to express their joy at the Lionesses winning the Euros.