Britain urged to change exam for migrants
In an open letter published in the journal of the British Historical Association, scholars state that the government document misleads its potential addressees about several aspects of British history. As BBC notes, it concerns the brochure 'Life in the United Kingdom – A Guide for New Residents' published by the British Home Office, which is intended for those preparing for the test required to obtain citizenship.
According to them, this book downplays the United Kingdom's role in the international slave trade, and the end of the British Empire is described as a 'largely peaceful process', whereas in reality it was not.
In their letter, they call for an urgent rewrite of the brochure. The Home Office, which commissioned it, said it would consider these objections.
What is the 'Life in Britain' test?
This test is taken by foreigners who want to become British citizens. According to the Home Office, it focuses on 'the values and principles that underpin what it means to be British'.
To pass the test, one must answer questions about UK history, laws, and customs. It includes questions about British culture, music, and sports. However, according to the scholars, it is the historical section that needs revision.
Imperial state of mind
In their open letter, the scholars criticize most the fragments concerning slavery and the British Empire as a whole. They pay particular attention to the statement in the brochure that 'while slavery was banned in Britain itself, abroad it had developed into a whole industry by the 18th century'. 'In fact, the question of the legality or illegality of slavery in Britain was open to debate, and many people were held as slaves,' the historians write in the open letter.
During the existence of the British Empire, it was said
to be the state on which the sun never sets
They also contest the part of the brochure that says 'there was, for the most part, a smooth transition from Empire to Commonwealth as countries gained their own independence'. 'Decolonization was by no means an "orderly" process, but often a violent one,' the historians assert.
They also point out that the contributions of figures from former empire countries who made important contributions to British culture are often ignored in favor of white Britons.
Glorification of Kipling
'Those taking the test are expected to know about more than 200 historical figures. The only person from a colony mentioned in this brochure is Sake Dean Mahomed, who in 1810 became co-owner of the first restaurant in England to serve Indian curry dishes,' the critics point out. 'The section on the British Empire ends with the glorification of Rudyard Kipling.'
In recent years, Kipling's figure has sparked debate in Britain. In other countries, he is primarily known as the author of 'The Jungle Book', which inspired popular cartoons. He was the first English author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
However, Kipling, born in India and dedicating his work to the British colonies, also promoted views that are now considered racist. His work 'The White Man's Burden' is considered a benchmark of colonial thinking. It says, in part: 'Take up the White Man's burden—/Send forth the best ye breed—/Go bind your sons to exile/To serve your captives' need;/To wait in heavy harness,/On fluttered folk and wild—/Your new-caught, sullen peoples,/Half-devil and half-child.'
In 2018, students at the University of Manchester decided to erase a Kipling poem from the wall of one of the university's buildings due to his racist works.
Will the brochure be changed?
The letter was signed by 181 people, including professors from many leading British universities. In their opinion, in its current form, this brochure creates a false impression of Britain's past.
'The purpose of this official brochure is to promote tolerance and openness and to aid integration,' the historians write at the end of the letter. 'In its current form, the sections on history do the exact opposite.'
The Home Office sent the BBC the following statement in response: 'Given the breadth of British history, the "Life in Britain" brochure represents a starting point for exploring our country's past and helps those who want to live permanently in the United Kingdom gain a basic understanding of our society, its culture, and the historical realities that may be the subject of everyday conversation. We have already issued several editions of this guide since its initial release, and we will continue to review its content and take into account the feedback we receive.'