Although John Humphrys admittedly used a rather abrasive tone best kept for interviews with recalcitrant politicians, I don’t think his questions regarding Johanna Konta’s nationality (Konta exposes faults in BBC host’s preparation, 19 July) were unreasonable. People’s ethnic origin, and the nationality they identify with, is fascinating. As part of the rich tapestry that makes up most socieities, it is a pity to see the subject increasingly treated in a “don’t mention the war” manner. I’m speaking as a British-identifying person born in Luxembourg to a father of Czech heritage born in Vienna in 1928, proudly identifying from 1938 onwards as British, despite subsequently living (as a British expat) in Luxembourg for 50 years. On a couple of occasions I heard him deny his Austrian origins, probably due to his hurt and anger at how they treated their Jewish citizens. Everyone has historical facts about their heritage and nationality, or nationalities, and they can equally have personal choices in how they identify themselves. Both are legitimate and fascinating, so let’s not make them taboo subjects.
Danielle Lowy
Manchester
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