Citizenship Quote by George Mikes
““Before you are admitted to British citizenship you are not even considered a natural human being. I looked up the word natural (na’tural) in the Pocket Oxford Dictionary (p. 251); it says: Of or according to or provided by nature, physically existing, innate, instinctive, normal, not miraculous or spiritual or artificial or conventional… Note that before you obtain British citizenship, they simply doubt that you are provided by nature.””
About This Quote
The satirical remark suggests that British citizenship is treated as a gatekeeper of ‘naturalness,’ implying that non‑citizens are viewed as less authentic or even artificial.
In simple terms: Citizenship is mocked as a test of being ‘natural.’
Key Takeaway
Legal status can be weaponized to dehumanize.
Themes
satire
nationalism
citizenship
identity
bureaucracy
Mood
wry
critical
Type
political
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- immigration policy debates
- human rights advocacy
- media commentary on citizenship
Key Concepts
othering
legal anthropology
Practical Applications
- Promote inclusive language in official documents
- Educate public on the arbitrariness of legal definitions of humanity
Questions to Reflect On
- What impact does labeling non‑citizens as ‘unnatural’ have on social cohesion?
- How can satire effectively expose xenophobic attitudes?
