Why are People Celebrating the Queen’s Death
On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 at Balmoral. The media in both America and across the world has highlighted her life and demonstrated what a symbol she was for the British monarchy. However, many have not had much sympathy for the late Queen. For example, at a soccer game in Ireland, the crowd broke into chants, cheering, “Lizzy’s in a box!” But why are so many happy about Queen Elizabeth’s timely death?
Those who critique the Queen may be happy about her passing because of the centuries of imperial colonization and the subjugation placed on nations including India, Ireland, Kenya, Yemen, and over 70 other territories that the British monarchy reigned over. The many horrors that the British crown has committed across its tenure include destroying independence movements in most of their territories, committing countless crimes against humanity towards the native peoples in their colonies (especially across Africa), and stealing billions of dollars from the native peoples in jewels, gold, and resources. Queen Elizabeth was the normalizing face of the British monarchy, placing a likable old lady as the symbol to conceal the inhumane acts that the monarchy has committed and continues to benefit from to this very day.
While some may argue that Queen Elizabeth had no lasting power in the British government or that these acts were committed before Elizabeth even came to hold the title of Queen, these people are in fact wrong. First, the Monarchy although not as powerful as they were in the past, still has the power of influence in the British legislature. For instance, the Queen has the power to influence and lobby to change draft laws that will be voted on and possibly implemented into government. This occurred in 1973 as a bill arguing for transparency in the monarch’s finances was proposed, and by using her powers, the Queen was able to suppress the bill, stopping the public from seeing her finances as it could lead to the people criticizing her financial spending and use of British taxpayer money. Furthermore, the British Monarchy continues to hold onto billions of dollars that they have stolen through the exploitation of their past colonies. For example, while under British control, India experienced a famine, allowing 12 to 29 million Indians to die of starvation while, at the same time that millions of tons of wheat were being exported to Britain from India. The monarchy’s actions not only allowed millions to starve but then profited off the manufacturing and sale of this wheat, a similar process with other resources taken from colonies across Africa and the rest of the world. Exploiting the colonies is only the beginning of the Queen's problems, as she also suppressed any attempts the colonies had for independence.
As you can imagine, having billions of dollars worth of goods taken from your nation, and being suppressed in your endeavors for independence gives good reason for someone to hate the monarchy. The Queen being the face of monarchy, acted as a veil to the horrors of the British monarchy. This is why although those mocking the death of the Queen may seem disrespectful, but are completely valid in their criticisms as the Queen was a violent and oppressive monarch that continues to use British taxpayer money for her own benefit, stop independence movements, and refuse to return reparations to the colonies that they have exploited.
