Me, a British-Italian national, living in Germany
The more I read and the more I think about Brexit, the more worried and frightened I am about the future.
The results of the referendum were a huge shock for me and millions of others, but what I find just as shocking is the hatred that these results have fuelled. As well as the extremely worrying reports of racism in the UK in the wake of the leave vote, I am concerned about the angry statements of some my European (non-British) friends.
Although leave won by 52% to 48%, millions of Brits wanted to remain in the EU. They voted Remain because they want to be part of the EU and cannot understand why the rest of the country wants to leave. Much has been said about Regrexit and some voters changing their minds (once they had witnessed the devastating effects on the economy, on the domestic political landscape and the lies that the leave campaign was based on, amongst other things). Some people have indicated that given a second chance they would vote differently.
Unfortunately, the events of the past week have not shed a positive light on the UK and on British people, so I would like to share the views of some British friends and Europeans, who have made a home in the UK, who are shocked and upset about the results of the referendum. Just like me, they believed in the dream of a European Union.
Carol, a British national, living in the UK
"So much of my life has been defined by the EU and the fact of the
British presence within it. I spent time in an EU country while at
university, under an EU programme. I did my PhD alongside EU students in
a top UK university, which of course is partly funded by the EU both in
direct (research) and indirect (paying students) terms. I lived and
worked in the same EU country after my degree, which was easy because of
my nationality. I worked with academics from all over the world and saw the competition for EU funding and the advantage that funding and collaboration brings to science.
The way that I think, the way that I am, has been defined by my life
experience, and I'm not sure how to conceive of a UK outside of the EU.
If you voted to leave, I'm sure you had your reasons; maybe you feel as
strongly about it as I do. Please bear with me while I try to adjust to a
new and unwelcome world view."
Sarah, a British national living in the US
"I identify as European as much as British and to have that taken away
from me is like someone trying to take away a part of what makes me me.
It’s a decision that hits right at the core of who we are personally and
then on a bigger scale throughout the UK, Europe and the world."
Nadine, a German national living in the UK
"I came to the UK as an exchange student and over the past 12 years I have built myself a home,
worked and partied hard, forged many friendships and did what I could
for this country, by contributing to the economy, petitioning for my library and volunteering in a local park. But I was happy to do that because I felt one
with this country.
When the Brexit result came in, I was actually in Berlin. Germany
has now become my holiday destination and the UK my home. My first reaction was utter shock and
disbelief. I had anticipated a
tight outcome, but I always believed that good sense and decency would
prevail. Many of the people who voted Leave have been used by a campaign which was a
simple scramble for the top. The campaign was indecent because inciting
xenophobia is always indecent, looking for a scapegoat is indecent and
using people's fear to your own advantage is indecent.
Two days after the results, I went back to a changed
country. I always felt that London was my home, England my adopted
country and I felt welcomed here. I cherished the
openness and friendliness of the people, their helpfulness and
cheerfulness despite the weather. When I stepped off the
plane at Gatwick and onto the train, for the
first time I didn’t really feel at home any more. I somehow didn’t
feel welcome. Worse, I actually felt betrayed. I also felt very sad, that
Britain had not recognised the good of the EU and that immigration had
been used on both sides, Leave and Remain, for their power struggle.
If Leave used lies and scare tactics to achieve their goal then the Remain side did not do enough to dispel those lies. Unfortunately, once you have sown the seed of
xenophobia it is hard to rid yourself of it again. Yesterday while walking
through a park and talking on the phone in German, for the first time I was conscious of the fact that I
was speaking a different language and that somebody may tell me to go home – wherever that is now..."
Finally, if you haven't yet read this, here is the wonderful description of our European family by my brother Stefano.
I present you my very European family, from left to right:
Claudio my father Italian, lived all his life in sunny Palermo.
Michael my brother in law born in Germany, met my sister in France, lived and worked in London now lives in Berlin.
Leonardo my nephew, born and bred in Berlin, he is German Italian
British, at the age of 4 speaks 3 languages, and is very fond of
aeroplanes, fire engines and cruise ships.
Rachel my mother, born in Britain to British parents, moved to Italy in her 20s still there 40 odd years later.
Audrey my grandmother, British born, her daughter(Rachel) and her
son(Nic) live in Italy, sister married a German man and as a result has
two half German half British nieces.
Linda my sister, Born in
Britain, grew up in Italy, went to university in Sheffield and France,
moved to Germany, worked in London for years now lives in Berlin.
Me, born in Britain, grew up in Italy, went to uni in Italy, Australia
for a term and Brighton, moved to London 10 years ago, work with USA and
India, spend most of his time in the Netherlands.
Ellie Wrate my
girlfriend, born and bred in Newcastle to a half Austrian father, went
to university in Scotland and Italy, lived in France and Australia,
lives in London.
Behind the camera is Jem my uncle, born in
England, has lived most of his adult life in Scotland, spends most of
his free time in Germany.
This is what the European Union looks
like not a divided continent based on false accusations and made up
numbers, it is idea that our grandfather spawned from the ashes of a war
torn continent that dreamt about a peaceful future where people could
be free and live in harmony.
Don't listen to hate fuelled xenophobes, vote remain and ask your government for reform!
This is the European Union. Let's keep the dream alive. Let's make our voices heard and fight for the UK to remain in the EU.
