It’s an old stereotype that I have come across multiple times while here but are the British obsessed (or are everybody else for thinking it) with class?
from a Simon Hoggart article recently:
“A wise American reporter based in London once told me that every British news story is, deep down, about class. Every American story, he said, is about race. There’s enough truth in that to be worth considering. Look at Madeleine McCann (middle-class parents, so they can’t be at fault), Shannon Matthews (working-class family, dodgy) or David Cameron (a toff – need I say more?).”
Agree or not? Any other stories spring to mind?
I’m not sure if you can be obsessed with class if it is still an issue which divides people. If it’s an issue just like any other (race, gender etc) then surely it should warrant thinking about just as much? Does that imply that we are likewise “obsessed” with gender issues for example?
In terms of those stories mentioned above, Madeleine’s parents were still accused of having something to do with the events, and were widely criticised for leaving her alone in the first place. And at least part of Shannon Matthews family has been accused of being “dodgy” on justifiable grounds.