The Tebbit test, was a
controversial phrase conceived by the British conservative politician Norman
Tebbit in reference to the seemingly lack of loyalty of immigrants to the
England cricket team. Mr. Tebbit suggested that those immigrants who support their native countries rather than England
at cricket are not significantly conformed to the United Kingdom. Caribbean
and Asian origin folks living in Britain supporting their respective native
country teams is a known fact. Yet a question remains with regards to the
relevance of Mr. Tebbit’s hypothesis in today’s world.
Is the country of birth or the country
of work (simply put) deterministic of one’s allegiance to a country?
In response, let us look at a
different perspective. Some of India’s young futbol friends were deep in mourning with Brazil’s defeat to
Germany in the world cup, perhaps as intense as what most Brazilians
experienced in their home country. So here’s a corollary to Mr. Tebbit’s
hypothesis: people across the world are significantly integrated despite their
nationalities when supporting their favorite teams – no matter which country
their favorite team belongs to. My young friend in Mumbai, India is a
Manchester United fan and I am certain that he has a split verdict as to who is
to lead the team; Rooney – the Brit or Van Persie – the Dutch. He perhaps knows
ManU’s schedule better than his school timetables! And there is no dearth of
more examples supporting this corollary from the world of sports.
The world we know today with much
trade and exchange; migration of people and professionals seeking opportunities
has ensured buildup of new groups and cultures in countries, not seen, perhaps,
a couple of decades back. But as much as there is convergence of distinct
cultures, countries too strengthened distinct micro-cosmic identities with the intent
to preserve perhaps what’s ancient or historic past. Some microcosmic cultures transcended
Mr. Tebbit’s test centered on nationalism. And then you have large cities in
all continents which serve as a potpourri,
some mash-up collection of distinct cultures, giving rise to a new sub-culture
altogether.
In conclusion, if we the human
race, are indeed a progressive group as some of the anthropologists would
argue; the idea of sharing and learning could perhaps see a greater acceptance
of the smaller group in face of a larger culture. Sadly contemporary history
says otherwise. The Tebbit test was proposed in April 1990. It still makes
news. To end my monologue, I quote a few lines from an article published in the
New York Times on July 24th this year, 'On Britishness and Belonging', by Kenan
Malik.
Unthinking, irrational support for one team over another is an essential part of the experience of sports. Patriots wish us to be equally unthinking in our attachment to the nation in every arena, from culture to war. The myth of nationalism is that...it comes as a single package. But identity does not work like that.
