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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/17/why-do-we-hate-it-when-our-fellow-scots-succeed-jk-rowling-billy-connolly
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| We should not hate it when fellow Scots succeed | We should not hate it when fellow Scots succeed |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| In a perjink Glasgow wine bar some years ago, a spirited discussion about Professor Sir Tom Devine’s contribution to Scotland almost led to violence. This being the city’s West End, the aggro reached its zenith with the following parting shot: “I’ll be bringing this to the attention of the person who edits the letters page in the Herald.” At this, a hush descended on our unruly little gathering for, as we knew full well, in this neighbourhood such a threat is only uttered in extremis. | In a perjink Glasgow wine bar some years ago, a spirited discussion about Professor Sir Tom Devine’s contribution to Scotland almost led to violence. This being the city’s West End, the aggro reached its zenith with the following parting shot: “I’ll be bringing this to the attention of the person who edits the letters page in the Herald.” At this, a hush descended on our unruly little gathering for, as we knew full well, in this neighbourhood such a threat is only uttered in extremis. |
| Fortunately, one of us briskly ordered some Camparis and a restorative bowl of cashew nuts and order was soon restored. For a moment, it seemed that the disagreement would have to be settled in the traditional manner of these parts: a duel at dawn where the participants must hurl rhyming couplets at each other until one expires. Only in Glasgow, I reflected later, could a dispute among historians and newspaper columnists almost be permitted to lead to “scenes”. | Fortunately, one of us briskly ordered some Camparis and a restorative bowl of cashew nuts and order was soon restored. For a moment, it seemed that the disagreement would have to be settled in the traditional manner of these parts: a duel at dawn where the participants must hurl rhyming couplets at each other until one expires. Only in Glasgow, I reflected later, could a dispute among historians and newspaper columnists almost be permitted to lead to “scenes”. |
| Devine, you see, has been the subject of some hostility (most of it rooted in professional jealousy) by a small number of mouthy and lesser academics who resent his success in opening up their hitherto hallowed and concealed discipline to the masses. Historians simply aren’t supposed to sell books in their hundreds of thousands and drive Jaguar XKs. When, a few years later, Devine received his knighthood I thought of those in that upstairs bar who had disparaged him and wondered when the gnashing of teeth and the belligerent couplets might begin again in earnest. | Devine, you see, has been the subject of some hostility (most of it rooted in professional jealousy) by a small number of mouthy and lesser academics who resent his success in opening up their hitherto hallowed and concealed discipline to the masses. Historians simply aren’t supposed to sell books in their hundreds of thousands and drive Jaguar XKs. When, a few years later, Devine received his knighthood I thought of those in that upstairs bar who had disparaged him and wondered when the gnashing of teeth and the belligerent couplets might begin again in earnest. |
| Devine’s elevation also caused consternation among some of his admirers. Here was a man whose studies of generations of his fellow Scots had revealed uncomfortable truths about inequality and the ethnic discrimination suffered by Irish immigrants. Indeed, not long after his ennoblement, he waded into the constitutional tempest then engulfing Scotland by backing the pro-independence movement. This was quickly followed by his editorship of a collection of essays laying bare Scotland’s wretched and glossed-over role in the slave trade. | Devine’s elevation also caused consternation among some of his admirers. Here was a man whose studies of generations of his fellow Scots had revealed uncomfortable truths about inequality and the ethnic discrimination suffered by Irish immigrants. Indeed, not long after his ennoblement, he waded into the constitutional tempest then engulfing Scotland by backing the pro-independence movement. This was quickly followed by his editorship of a collection of essays laying bare Scotland’s wretched and glossed-over role in the slave trade. |
| Few in Scotland knew more about the iniquities of the British empire and the suffering that was endured by many to maintain its hegemony. So why would he accept an honour in the name of such an empire, conferred by the UK establishment as a means of keeping alive the memory of its influence? “I knew it would make my family and friends proud,” he told me later. And that, basically, was all we liberal seditionists really needed to know. | Few in Scotland knew more about the iniquities of the British empire and the suffering that was endured by many to maintain its hegemony. So why would he accept an honour in the name of such an empire, conferred by the UK establishment as a means of keeping alive the memory of its influence? “I knew it would make my family and friends proud,” he told me later. And that, basically, was all we liberal seditionists really needed to know. |
| Among the recipients of the Queen’s birthday honours announced yesterday were Billy Connolly and JK Rowling, two other great Scots whose achievements have enhanced our nation’s reputation well beyond these shores. Rowling might have been born and raised in England, but I’m claiming her for Scotland nonetheless. She wrote her Harry Potter books in the corner of a cafe in the middle of Edinburgh while struggling with the demands of being a single mum and the shadow of imminent penury. Her forbearance in the face of such adversity is something we Scots like to think partly defines our national character. | Among the recipients of the Queen’s birthday honours announced yesterday were Billy Connolly and JK Rowling, two other great Scots whose achievements have enhanced our nation’s reputation well beyond these shores. Rowling might have been born and raised in England, but I’m claiming her for Scotland nonetheless. She wrote her Harry Potter books in the corner of a cafe in the middle of Edinburgh while struggling with the demands of being a single mum and the shadow of imminent penury. Her forbearance in the face of such adversity is something we Scots like to think partly defines our national character. |
| Rowling has also been disparaged by book critics who resent her astonishing success (and the money that has come with it). Her books, they say, are simplistic and do not possess a sufficiently complex pattern of inference and understanding to be deemed truly literary. It’s all hogwash and is also rooted in professional jealousy. Her books, all of which I’ve read, are built on a framework of strong characters engaged in the eternal struggle between good and evil in majestic settings. They are underpinned by themes of racial intolerance, childhood alienation, bullying and feminism. Most importantly, they are simply good stories well told, which have encouraged children from every background throughout the world to encounter the majesty of the written word. | Rowling has also been disparaged by book critics who resent her astonishing success (and the money that has come with it). Her books, they say, are simplistic and do not possess a sufficiently complex pattern of inference and understanding to be deemed truly literary. It’s all hogwash and is also rooted in professional jealousy. Her books, all of which I’ve read, are built on a framework of strong characters engaged in the eternal struggle between good and evil in majestic settings. They are underpinned by themes of racial intolerance, childhood alienation, bullying and feminism. Most importantly, they are simply good stories well told, which have encouraged children from every background throughout the world to encounter the majesty of the written word. |
| One of my most cherished memories as a father was counting down the days with my daughter, Clare, until the summer release of a new Harry Potter title and then purchasing two so that we could read them together. For that alone I will be eternally thankful to her. | One of my most cherished memories as a father was counting down the days with my daughter, Clare, until the summer release of a new Harry Potter title and then purchasing two so that we could read them together. For that alone I will be eternally thankful to her. |
| Rowling has never shied from entering the political arena and has used her Twitter account to devastating and witty effect to signal her support for the pro-UK side in the Scottish independence campaign. For this, she has earned the opprobrium of some nationalists. I’ve never understood their fury. Those of us who support an independent Scotland are fond of boasting about the lively and colourful nature of political engagement that many experienced during the referendum campaign. Yet some have been resentful at Rowling’s involvement mainly because she has a few dodgy characters among her followers. Recently, she elegantly skewered one of her more prominent followers for describing Theresa May as a “whore”. Sexual denigration of women, she explained, was simply unacceptable, no matter what political philosophy they chose to espouse. So I’ll be making no apologies for my admiration of her and for my pride that Scotland has played a part in her global success. | Rowling has never shied from entering the political arena and has used her Twitter account to devastating and witty effect to signal her support for the pro-UK side in the Scottish independence campaign. For this, she has earned the opprobrium of some nationalists. I’ve never understood their fury. Those of us who support an independent Scotland are fond of boasting about the lively and colourful nature of political engagement that many experienced during the referendum campaign. Yet some have been resentful at Rowling’s involvement mainly because she has a few dodgy characters among her followers. Recently, she elegantly skewered one of her more prominent followers for describing Theresa May as a “whore”. Sexual denigration of women, she explained, was simply unacceptable, no matter what political philosophy they chose to espouse. So I’ll be making no apologies for my admiration of her and for my pride that Scotland has played a part in her global success. |
| As a Glaswegian, words can never adequately describe my pride in what Billy Connolly has achieved in his life and career. No other Glaswegian in living memory has represented my city better. He caused the men and women of my father’s generation to walk a little taller and experience a little more pride in being Glaswegian at a time when the world associated this city with violence, disease and alcohol abuse. He is in the early stages of a disease that he knows, and we know, will eventually silence him. Yet his courage and humour in the face of it was evident last week in a BBC Scotland programme that recorded his reaction to a special gift the city had bestowed. | As a Glaswegian, words can never adequately describe my pride in what Billy Connolly has achieved in his life and career. No other Glaswegian in living memory has represented my city better. He caused the men and women of my father’s generation to walk a little taller and experience a little more pride in being Glaswegian at a time when the world associated this city with violence, disease and alcohol abuse. He is in the early stages of a disease that he knows, and we know, will eventually silence him. Yet his courage and humour in the face of it was evident last week in a BBC Scotland programme that recorded his reaction to a special gift the city had bestowed. |
| Glasgow city council and BBC Scotland commissioned three of the country’s finest artists to produce artwork celebrating Connolly and his life. These have now appeared as massive murals throughout the city to mark his 75th birthday. Those closest to him will be proud that Britain has made him a knight, but for a long time Glaswegians have regarded him as a prince. | Glasgow city council and BBC Scotland commissioned three of the country’s finest artists to produce artwork celebrating Connolly and his life. These have now appeared as massive murals throughout the city to mark his 75th birthday. Those closest to him will be proud that Britain has made him a knight, but for a long time Glaswegians have regarded him as a prince. |
| Queen's birthday honours list | Queen's birthday honours list |
| Opinion | Opinion |
| JK Rowling | JK Rowling |
| Billy Connolly | Billy Connolly |
| Scotland | Scotland |
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