A sikh
I went to the parades along with many other sikh/white mates
ossie
proud to be english no one can change whats in your heart
Christina
I live in Catalonia where St.George is also their patron saint. Everyone is out on the streets celebrating buying roses and books for their loved ones, all nationalities and all kinds of people, plenty of medieval fairs and jousting going on. An enjoyable day by all. Nothing to do with nationalisms!
Emily
Why do we celebrate Saint Patrick's Day so much? The shops are filled with green flags and hats, plastered with four leaf clovers. But Saint Patrick is Ireland's patron saint. Ok Ireland is part of Great Britain, so it's understandable that we do celebrate it. But then England isn't allowed to celebrate it's own Saint's Day? Because it will offend the ethnic minorities...Saint Patrick doesn't, why should Saint George? We share this country with all races and cultures, but this is our day, one day a year. The 23rd of April is England's day - we should be allowed to celebrate! On the 23rd of April I want to be celebrating something more than my birthday!!!
Lee (englishman)
I feel celebrating Saint Georges Day has been long overdue. Just look at the irish celebrating up and down England in tens of thousands. There are never any problems with racism there what-so-ever!English people celebrate 'ALL' cultural festivites in England but not Saint George's Day.UK born asians say it will upset them and they will feel intimidated by us. What rubbish!England is a tolerant country and always willing to integrate with all colours and religions. It's just another excuse to call the race card, it's crazy!I say get together with your family and friends to celebrate what could eventually be the greatest event in England,'For all'
milly
Me and my family have been to the Pardade and at Dartmouth Park and have had a great time. We've seen people of all ages, creeds and colours joining in the celebrations. One of the lovliest sights I've seen in recent years was an asian man and his 2 young sons all wearing England Fottball Shirts.
Rodney Bholan
Hi this is just so we are clear on our education that St George was not English he was a Black African George is believed to have come from Cappadocia (in modern Turkey) and was raised in Palestine, and held the important rank of tribune in the Roman army. He was beheaded by Diocletian for protesting against the Emperor's persecution of Christians.
This should make all of us feel inclusive myself being African caribbean whites and Asians. If all of us just read we might come along to celebrate.
It also might make us re-educate ourselves in history so when we do celebrate and act out these folk heroes we get someone a little closer to what George looked like to play the part.
Amerjit Singh
As a british "asian", i would just like to say that St. George's day should be celebrated by all. The fact that the march was predominantly "white" is of no relevence whatsoever. Of course there will be some small minded BNP fools out to take advantage of the parade, but then again you'll get fools in every gathering.
I have many "white" friends, neighbours and colleagues, and feel a little embarrased when i see them collectively labelled as bigots, because of a few idiots.
Patriotism and nationalism in the wrong hands can be very divisive tools, but i doubt most people are naive enough to fall for that trick!!
Chris, English and proud
Just read the comments by Bhinari and feel that this person is very misguided, the people of this country have for too long been in fear of being labelled as bigots, simply because they love their country, long may the St. George's Day parade continue, there is nothing wrong in saying they you are English and proud to be so!
craig
england winners of 2006 world cup england forever
Janus Polenceus
It is a great start that now we have started celebrating St George's Day again properly. Now we just have to make it an official Bank Holiday as it use to be historicly.
RICHARD NICHOLLS
I was one of the re-enactors involved with the Dudley celebrations and i would like to thank everyone that gave us their support. Cheers!
GEORGE WOOD
I AM Proud to be English
Proud to be English
not really "embracing" all colours and creeds?? What planet are you from? To play the devils advocate: Just how many "white" faces are seen at "your" events? Works both ways. Any person should be welcome to any event. You are not hard done by in this country. Deal with it.
Proud to be English
Bhinari - Stop tainting and insulting our national day with your ridiculous remarks and paranoia. Colour has nothing to do with it. Its folks like you that cause un-called-for tension and start trouble where there never was. Long may St Georges Day continue.
Kerry
Why is it that it's OK for us to celebrate St Patrick's Day and everyone joins in the party. Yet when we come to celebrate St George's Day, who is OUR patron saint, there are always people who want to try and turn it into a racism issue. I'm sorry, but the whole world does nor revolve around you UK born 'Asians'.... its not all about you! St Georges day is a day of patriotism and is a day when we are proud to be English. Stop being so narrow minded as to confuse patriotism with racism.
Lee
With the BNP on the rise in other parts of the country its time for all races to unite under the English flag and push these hate mongers out. There is support for asian festivals throught the year which last days, why do you see St George`s Day as a racist tool? If you are UK born then surely this is your country too? are you not proud to be an English citizen? This country isnt the greatest in the world I admit that but its ours and we should be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder under one flag.
Bhinari
Just to clarify a something: at no point did I say St George's day SHOULDN'T be celebrated by all creeds and colours. By all means it should be a national holiday (as is in other nations). A question: How many "non-white" faces are present at these events? Very few, if any. In other words, it's not really "embracing" all colours and creeds. In the USA nationalism is celebrated by EVERYONE. Hispanics, Asian, black and white folk. Not the case here. Tell me I'm wrong?
Marie Proud English woman
Bhinari, we as a family have been to this event every year and l have not witnessed any racism. If the non whites are so afraid of being intimidated on the street how come the Asian newsagent was selling his English flags and Asian guys were selling balloons etc outside the park l didnt see any attacks on these l think you are using this message board as a racist tool, you should try visiting next year you may enjoy yourself.
Marshall family
thanks for the photo its great
rich
Well done Sandwell council for championing St Georges day for all the community irrelevant of what Bhinari thinks
theres always one
get a life, bnp march, what has st george and the bnp got to do with each other .... nothing.
Deano - Proud to be Wolves
bhinari what are you on about, are you trying to say that english people who embrace all races and creeds cannot celebrate St.George's day in their own country are YOU not stating racist undertones
an Englishman Born and Bred
No comment to the racism remark by bhinari eccept "RUBISH"
Stuart
It's great to see poeple out and about getting in and having a good time. Makes a change instead of being told 'No you can't put that flag up it may upset someone' lets hope it continues, that way we will see loads more smiles all round.
Bhinari
A legitimate BNP march. A day to keep "non-white" faces off the streets in fear of intimidation and verbal abuse. I definitely experienced the racist undertones. There's a fine line between nationalism and racism; I think the West Bromwich parade uses St George's day as a racist tool. (from a UK born "Asian").
