Outline the information given about the author’s and his parents’ lives. (Material)

Compare Musa Okwonga’s attitude towards and his experiences in the society he is living in to those of Ali in “My Son the Fanatic” and the police officer in “Shooting an Elephant”.

The essay “The Ungrateful Country” by Musa Okwonga, published in 2016, presents the author’s personal experiences growing up in England as the child of Ugandan immigrants. It explores both his parents’ background and his own challenges as a young Black student in British society.

Okwonga’s parents came to the UK as refugees. They had previously attended the best schools in Uganda but were forced to flee due to the violent military regime there. After arriving in the United Kingdom, they both worked hard and became doctors, contributing to British society through their profession and education.

The author himself was given the opportunity to attend a prestigious prep school on a scholarship. There, he was surrounded mostly by white students from wealthy and upper-class families. Even though he received an elite education, Okwonga never truly felt he belonged — neither at school nor in his hometown. He became a victim of racial discrimination, which included being randomly stopped and searched by the police, simply because of his skin color.

After two years at the prep school, he earned a place at Eton College, one of the most elite boarding schools in the UK. He fully engaged in school life by participating in many extracurricular activities and focusing seriously on his academic work. However, he did not develop much of a social life and often felt like an outsider.

A major turning point in his life was the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993, a Black teenager killed in a racist attack. This event deeply shook Okwonga and influenced how he viewed his place in British society.

In summary, the essay outlines a story of dedication, identity, and exclusion. While both Okwonga and his parents worked hard to succeed and contribute to their new country, they were continually reminded—through discrimination and lack of belonging — that they were not fully accepted.

Three Men, Three Worlds: Living in Conflict with Society

In the essay “The Ungrateful Country” by Musa Okwonga, the short story “My Son the Fanatic” by Hanif Kureishi, and George Orwell’s essay “Shooting an Elephant”, three very different characters reflect on their struggles to belong in the societies they live in. Each of them experiences exclusion, inner conflict, or rejection — although in different ways and for different reasons.

Musa Okwonga, a British citizen with Ugandan roots, has an attitude of respect and gratitude towards the UK, partly inherited from his parents, who had escaped a violent regime in Uganda. He writes: “I remained grateful to the UK” (l. 42), even though he was clearly not always accepted. At school, he quickly realized that he was different: “I was one of two black pupils out of 130” (l. 11). He worked hard to represent Black people in a positive light, saying: “I felt driven every week to prove that we could be just as good as our white counterparts” (l. 17). Despite his academic success, Okwonga never truly felt like he belonged. A former Etonian even warned him: “Tell him he will never be one of them” (l. 40). These experiences show how even strong efforts to assimilate and succeed are not always enough to overcome racism and class differences.

Ali from My Son the Fanatic shows a very different kind of rejection. As a second-generation immigrant in Britain, he first adapts fully to Western culture, but then turns away from it completely. He criticizes Western society for being materialistic and morally weak, calling it a place where “The Western materialists hate us” (p. 11). For him, living in Britain is not a privilege but a burden: when his father asks if anything influenced him, he replies, “Living in this country” (p. 12). Ali’s rejection is both cultural and religious. He believes that too much freedom is dangerous: “Parvez: They let you do almost anything here. Ali: That is the problem.” (p. 12). His radical views and withdrawal from Western life reflect a deep frustration with the discrimination he perceives — and perhaps has experienced — in British society.

The police officer in Shooting an Elephant represents the colonial power in Burma. He does not try to integrate, but still feels deeply uncomfortable in his role. He is both the agent and the victim of imperialism. He confesses: “As for the job I was doing, I hated it more bitterly than I can perhaps make clear” (p. 1). The local people hate him, and he feels their pressure constantly: “I was hated by large numbers of people – the only time in my life that I have been important enough for this to happen to me” (p. 1). When he is forced to shoot the elephant, he realizes that he is not really in control: “I first grasped the hollowness, the futility of the white man’s dominion in the East” (p. 6). Although he holds the weapon, he feels trapped by expectations and fear of losing face. In that moment, he becomes part of a system he cannot escape.

While Okwonga tries to adapt and succeed in a society that ultimately keeps him at a distance, Ali actively separates himself from British society, seeing it as immoral and hostile. The police officer, although in a position of power, feels emotionally alienated and powerless within the colonial system he represents. All three characters face different versions of the same conflict: how to live in a society where you feel you don’t truly belong. Whether through attempts to integrate, acts of rejection, or a sense of hypocrisy and guilt, their stories show the deep personal impact of social and cultural exclusion.

Is “The Ungrateful Country” a Fair Label for England?

In his 2016 essay The "Ungrateful Country", British writer Musa Okwonga reflects on his life as a second-generation immigrant in the UK. His experiences growing up as a Black student and citizen, despite access to elite education, lead him to question whether Britain truly values people like him. The essay title raises the central question: Is such a negative view of England justified?

Okwonga’s sense of frustration and disappointment stems from having worked hard, received a scholarship to top schools, and still never being fully accepted — neither in the elite circles of Eton nor in his home community. His exclusion did not come from lack of effort or ability, but from feeling constantly seen as different, and not “one of them.” Experiences of racial profiling, such as being stop-searched by police or loitered around his neighbourhood, as well as the impact of the Stephen Lawrence murder, have left him disillusioned. In his eyes, England promised opportunity but failed to deliver inclusion.

Okwonga’s view is supported by broader issues that continue to affect ethnic minorities in the UK. Racial discrimination is still present in areas like employment, education, housing, and healthcare. People of colour are more likely to face microaggressions, such as stereotyping or exclusionary behaviour, which over time can create a feeling of not belonging. Furthermore, underrepresentation in leadership positions and in the media reinforces the idea that minorities are not seen as fully part of British society. Britain’s often-avoided colonial past also contributes to these tensions, as it remains a source of unresolved historical injustice.

On the other hand, there are also arguments suggesting that Okwonga’s view might be overly pessimistic or based on personal experiences that not everyone shares. After all, he did receive significant opportunities, including a prestigious scholarship. Many black people in England do feel a strong sense of belonging and are thriving in fields like politics, sports, and music. Britain has also taken steps in recent years to improve racial justice: the Stephen Lawrence case led to legal reforms, and the Black Lives Matter movement has sparked national debates about racism and inequality. Efforts to acknowledge the country’s colonial past are becoming more visible, including public debates, education reforms, and the return of stolen cultural artefacts.

In conclusion, Musa Okwonga’s disappointment is understandable, and his experiences reflect real and painful inequalities that still exist in Britain today. However, they do not speak for all immigrants or people of colour in the UK. England remains a country full of contradictions — both a place of opportunity and one where inclusion is still an ongoing struggle. Whether it is truly “ungrateful” depends on whose story you listen to.

Good afternoon, everyone,

It’s a great honour to be here today, speaking at the end of this inspiring workshop on global migration. I would like to begin by referring to a powerful quote by António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations:

“Migration is a fact of life and a force for good. It promotes the exchange of knowledge and ideas and contributes to economic growth. It enables millions of people to pursue opportunities and improve their lives.”

This quote reminds us of something we sometimes forget: that migration is not just a political issue – it’s a human story, and it’s essential for progress.

In the United Kingdom, we can clearly see the truth behind Guterres’ words. Migration has shaped our society in many positive ways. Economically, immigrants help fill labour shortages, especially in vital areas like healthcare. Just think of the NHS – it relies heavily on doctors, nurses and carers from all around the world. The construction industry, agriculture, and many small businesses also depend on migrant workers to function. This contributes not only to economic growth but also to innovation and productivity.

Migration also strengthens our society culturally. The UK is proud to be a multicultural country – and this is especially visible in cities like London, Manchester or Birmingham. Our art, our food, and even our music are rich because they are influenced by diverse cultures. In sports and entertainment, international talents have helped shape a more open-minded and inclusive image of our nation.

But migration is not only beneficial for the host country. For the migrants themselves, it can mean a chance to live in safety, escape war or poverty, and support their families back home. They bring valuable skills and ideas, and in return, they get the opportunity to live with dignity and build a better life.

Of course, migration also comes with challenges. Social integration is not always easy, and many migrants still face discrimination and xenophobia. These issues must be addressed seriously. We also have to consider the “brain drain” in the countries people leave behind – the loss of skilled workers is a real concern for many developing nations.

However, focusing only on the negative aspects would be a mistake. Instead, we must work together – across countries and cultures – to manage migration in a fair, respectful and humane way.

In conclusion, I strongly agree with António Guterres. Migration is not a problem to be solved – it is a force to be embraced. If managed well, it benefits everyone. It builds stronger economies, enriches our cultures, and most importantly, connects people across the globe.

Let us continue to support global migration – not out of charity, but because it makes our world better.

Thank you.