Sorry for the politics on a Sunday morning, a few meagre hours before I fly into the desert but I spent a large proportion of last night arguing with some Argentinians about the sovereignty of the Falklands.
It all came about from a comment from the (Usually great) Facebook profile
ENGLISH TEACHERS ARE SEXY
LAS MALVINAS FUERON, SON Y SERÁN ARGENTINAS!!! ...PROHIBIDO OLVIDARLAS!!!
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| oh baby, why did you ruin something good? |
Translation: the Falkland islands are rightfully Argentinian. I was disappointed by the comment because ETAS was one of my favourite and more funnier English teaching related FB likes and was previously completely politically neutral. I then found it quite ironical to be arguing about the 'evils' of British imperialism with someone who owns a FB page titled 'English teachers are sexy'.
I understand why Argentina makes claims to the islands because Britain forcefully stole the islands in 1833 and claimed sovereignty but it's absolutely no different than what Argentinians did to the original inhabitants in South America - I find the Argentinian argument a tad hypocritical but then I am a biased Brit.
The most objective commentary I can find on the issue is here:
Richard Gott Article
I just don't see why, if the islanders want to remain British why we should, against their wishes, give the islands back to Argentina - that in itself is a pretty shitty thing to do wouldn't you say? Imagine your a proud Falklander, speaking English in schools, learning the history of your Grandparents all of a sudden to be speaking Spainish and learning about the Conquistadors.
And obviously cue the Doyouspeakpolish FB page being attacked by disgruntled Argentinians all night (all of which was reported) - it's definitely one of the few times in my life I have been racially abused - and now in the morning I even regret some of my actions last night during my heated arguments - I used the now taboo word 'Argies' and even bragged about the sinking of the Belgrano (only to be taunted by the words EXOCET)
Interestingly, Margaret Thatchers FB page is almost overrun my disgruntled Argentinians.
But then it makes me think, how strange English teaching is? Generally, all the English teachers I know have fairly strong political opinions, including myself and the Argentinian owner of ETAS - ce la vie!
Anyway, I'm off to work on my tan.
It's best for Argentina to do something with its economy, to make it as attractive as possible, and culturally broad, so the Fanklanders wished to change their masters.
ReplyDeleteEasy as that... isn't it?
I can't help laughing at your post old boy. Well done for flying the flag though.
ReplyDeleteWe can not give the Falklands back to Aregentina, because they have never owned them. In 1833 we seized them from an Argentine officer who had been there only a brief time. We are the only ones to have ever established a working colony on the islands.
ReplyDeletePlus Argentina gave up their claim on the islands when they used unilateral military force instead of peaceful negotiation in 1982.
If she taught me I would be very very happy.
ReplyDelete