Shirley dad branded racist over Union Jack flag on his shed
EXCLUSIVE By Anna Edwards
anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk
A dad has been branded a racist – simply for hoisting a Union Jack flag from his shed.
After displaying his patriotism Steve Coe – whose wife is black – received an anonymous letter through the letterbox of his home in Tideswell Road, Shirley.
It accused him of being in the BNP and National Front.
The angry letter appears to have been sent by a neighbour, who writes: "If you want to look at the flag put it inside your own home, don't subject it to others, many find it intrusive and your motives questionable."
Mr Coe, 46, is an avid collector of British memorabilia and says the flag, which has been flying for the last two weeks, is merely showing his love of all things British.
He said: "I've got this letter asking me what my motives are for putting up this flag, and am I a member of the BNP or National Front?
"I'm just a patriotic chap, this letter is awful, really nasty.
"People shouldn't feel worried about being proud of their country, this is a symbol of our country, how is it racist to have a British flag on your shed?"
Mr Coe has been reassured by Croydon Council that there is nothing wrong with him putting up his flag.
And he says he is willing to meet with whoever has sent him the letter, to show them he isn't the slightest bit racist.
He added: "It's very petty, they've obviously got nothing better to do.
"Why weren't they mature about it and come and speak to me? It's cowardly to do it like this.
"I've shown the letter to my neighbours and friends, they are all disgusted.
"Everyone I've spoken to, regardless of their creed or colour, has got behind me and condemned it, it's totally unacceptable."
His wife, Jocie, finds the letter's suggestion that there are sinister motives behind the flag particularly laughable – as her family hails from the West Indies.
Mrs Coe, said: "We're not interfering with anyone else, I don't know why someone should be so offended.
"I think you have to let people live, writing stuff like this is a bit poisonous.
"My family come from the West Indies, so the idea my husband is a BNP member is ridiculous.
"Maybe they think I'm a servant because they've seen me hanging the washing out!"
27 Comments
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by lloyd, N.Addington
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 5:20PM
“Was in the United States a few years ago and the first thing you see is the stars & stripes flag on more or less every building. And every shop on their side walks has 5+ flags on them and they fly it with pride as this country should do . I find it all like a small storm in a tea cup what people find offensive these days, and when you think about it, you ,ll see every other national flag on car windows, number plates,etc . I use the Euro plate on mine, only because we drive in Europe alot and it beats buying a GB sticker every Journey, not that I would buy the Euro plate for the hell of it . I find it insulting the fact that people want to jump on this wagon about the union flag eevery time. PS: Can,t wait for the world cup finals”
by epiphany, dorlking
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 4:45PM
“There seems to be a distinct lack of patriotism in this country. Anyone objecting to a flying Union Flag has no place in this country.”
by Enoch, Croydon
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 4:12PM
“P Dent of Croydon -
Sorry to have to correct you but as a serving member of RN, A Union Flag is not automatically called a Union Jack when flown on a ship, it is only a Union Jack when hoisted on the Jack Staff of a RN Ship, as is a Ensign when it is hoisted on the Ensign Staff. Now call me Anne Giles.
P.S Would there have been all this bother is this gentlemans good wife had flown the flag of her birth country outside their house. Good on you both for making a stand.”
by L, Sanderstead
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 11:13AM
“Maybe too many people are laughing these things off and ignoring them, i agree that he should make it public, it is just a letter to him about a flag, but i think there are too many times that people are being discriminated for being proud of Britain its getting silly, Yet we dont do anything about it, it has taken just that one person to speak up and there are now 23 comments regarding this, it just shows you how many people feel the same.
I think we should make more of a thing out of St Georges day cos half of us people do not celebrate it, and you hear stories of people who do put flags up being racist... what is this country coming too.”
by RPB, Coulsdon
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 10:35AM
“22 comments on this "story"? Really?
The letter was from a single, solitary, anonymous individual - not Gordon Brown, or an MP, or the local council ordering him to tear it down.
Don't you all think this is a bit of an over-reaction? Recently one of my neighbours complained anonymously to the council about some (perfectly legal) work in my garden - I was a bit annoyed, but didn't feel that it was something that I had to tell the local paper and its readers about.
Of course Steve can fly a flag if he really wants to; I'm just a little surprised he didn't laugh the letter off and throw it in the bin.”