'Britain' - Cia Mangat

Cia Mangat was a Senior Orwell Youth Prize Runner Up in 2019, responding to the theme ‘A Fair Society?’

'Britain' - Cia Mangat

Britain, I have given you everything yet you still call me ugly.

Britain, why must you spit at the black and brown men on your television screens?

Britain, be quiet

I don’t want to hear about your love for

jerk chicken and

hummus and

Indian takeaways

Britain, I know you love your Indian takeaways

When will you stop joking that my red bindis look like laser sniper targets to you?

Britain, are you jealous that I’ve got three eyes and you’ve got two?

Britain, I’m still waiting for my England to come home

When will you stop pretending that the millions of black and brown soldiers you’ve borrowed

vaporised into the mists of wartime smoke?

Britain, don’t lie to me

Britain, come on

If I had a pound for every time you’ve asked me to say my name out loud

I’d be able to buy a gold chain spelling it out

Britain, you’re ugly

Britain begs the American outside his restaurant

for a pound with a coffee cup in hand

Britain you’re a machine, joints oiled by Sam’s

Britain I’ll kiss your feet if you comb my hair

Britain, the Empire’s striking back

Are you scared?

Britain, I’m sorry for being like this

God bless the NHS and all its phlebotomists

God bless the pearled old ladies who smile like clams

God bless your bus drivers with train tickets in their hands

Britain, thank you

for trying to teach me

how to respect the

Shard

even though

we both know

it’s a total farce

Britain, you have given me everything

but I still think you're ugly


The theme for the 2020 Orwell Youth Prize has been announced. For more information, including details on how to enter, visit the Orwell Youth Prize website.

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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