Alan Cumming returns OBE over ‘toxicity’ of British Empire

[Moonie]

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Alan Cumming returns OBE over ‘toxicity’ of British Empire

Scottish actor says recent conversations about future of monarchy and impact of empire on indigenous people ‘opened my eyes’


Alan Cumming has handed back his OBE because of his “misgivings” at being associated with the “toxicity” of the British Empire.

Cumming was made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2009 for his work as an actor and his campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights.

He said at the time that he was “shocked and delighted” to receive the honour but, following the Queen’s death and subsequent conversations around the future of the monarchy, said he had decided to revoke it.






https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...pire-toxicity/



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[Traddles]

In the real world, the British Empire probably lessened tribal warfare in Africa and inter-kingdom warfare in India. Does anybody believe Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia would be as prosperous as they are had they not been part of the British Empire? Getting back to India, a south Indian former coworker commented that one of the greatest gifts the British gave India was the English language, which bridges the communication gap due to multiple regional languages that would otherwise hinder and disunify India. He had graduated from the India Institute of Technology, a world class educational institution that also probably would not exist, but for India being part of the British Empire. Wanna talk the British ban on suttee? Wanna talk about the Royal Navy squadron stationed and sailing off western Africa to hinder/suppress the slave trade (with some assistance from the US Navy, BTW)?

I am well aware that many of the terrible things were done by British rule and of the arrogance of many colonial officials, but not giving the full picture is lying by omission. Cumming being paid for pretending to be what he is not to entertain viewers, his ignorance or deception is not surprising, to me at least.

[Conservative Libertarian]

I hate to sound like an American here but what the hell is an OBE and why should I care about this actor's revocation of that title?

To me OBE = Overcome By Events. Meaning, that the situation has changed to the point that a certain issue is no longer relevant.

[Moonie]

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The Palace should give a new honour to those in the acting profession when necessary.

These individuals can be given the PPF (with or without honours) meaning that they are a Poncy Pretentious Fart.

A badge they can wear with pride.

All hail Alan Cumming PPF.
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[Traddles]

OBE = Order of the British Empire, an order of knighthood, IIRC.

[Wilson2]

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Alan Cumming returns OBE over ‘toxicity’ of British Empire

Scottish actor says recent conversations about future of monarchy and impact of empire on indigenous people ‘opened my eyes’


Alan Cumming has handed back his OBE because of his “misgivings” at being associated with the “toxicity” of the British Empire.

Cumming was made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2009 for his work as an actor and his campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights.

He said at the time that he was “shocked and delighted” to receive the honour but, following the Queen’s death and subsequent conversations around the future of the monarchy, said he had decided to revoke it.






https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...pire-toxicity/



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Is he renouncing his citizenship as well?

How about his $millions which he gained by being a white man who benefitted from the "racism" of the British Empire, is he giving back his $$millions which he stole from indigenous peoples?

What about his luxurious houses, is he giving those to poor homeless people?

No because that would mean he actually pays a price for his "values".

Returning his OBE doesn't carry a price, its easy and nothing but PR.

[donttread]

In the real world, the British Empire probably lessened tribal warfare in Africa and inter-kingdom warfare in India. Does anybody believe Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia would be as prosperous as they are had they not been part of the British Empire? Getting back to India, a south Indian former coworker commented that one of the greatest gifts the British gave India was the English language, which bridges the communication gap due to multiple regional languages that would otherwise hinder and disunify India. He had graduated from the India Institute of Technology, a world class educational institution that also probably would not exist, but for India being part of the British Empire. Wanna talk the British ban on suttee? Wanna talk about the Royal Navy squadron stationed and sailing off western Africa to hinder/suppress the slave trade (with some assistance from the US Navy, BTW)?

I am well aware that many of the terrible things were done by British rule and of the arrogance of many colonial officials, but not giving the full picture is lying by omission. Cumming being paid for pretending to be what he is not to entertain viewers, his ignorance or deception is not surprising, to me at least.

Imperialism is often so justified. For example "just look what the Romans did for the regions they conquered" Roads for example. Still not payment for the murder, enslavement and rape ( both literal and metaphorical) that is imperialism. They take more than they provide, otherwise what would be the point
Having said that this guy sounds like an attention whore

[Moonie]

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Britain invested democracy rather than maharajas in India too!
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