Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/LONDON: Scottish actor Alan Cumming has returned a prestigious royal award in order to distance himself from the “toxicity” of the British Empire.
Officer of the British Empire honour
This is my 58th birthday, and I want to tell you about something I recently did for myself, the Scottish actor wrote on Instagram on Friday. I gave back my OBE. People who positively influence their field are given the Officer of the British Empire (OBE) honour. In the article, Cumming recalled how “he was immensely delighted to get it in the 2009 Queen’s birthday honours list fourteen years ago.”
In acknowledgment of his contributions to theatre, movies, and the arts, Cumming was given the honour. He has played leading roles in “Annie,” “X-Men 2,” “Spy Kids” franchise, and “The Good Wife” throughout his four-decade film and television career.
He received the Best Actor Tony award in 1998 for his work as the Emcee in the Broadway production of “Cabaret.”
His “activism for equal rights for the homosexual and lesbian community” in America was also acknowledged by the OBE. Bisexual Cumming has taken part in several initiatives for the rights of LGBT people, working with groups including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
Cumming said that although he was “surprised” and “delighted” to get the medal at the time, the passing of Queen Elizabeth in September caused him to think back on it and the organization that gave it to him.
The actor claimed that after the Queen passed away, discussions regarding the monarchy’s function and, in particular, how the British Empire got rich off of the suffering and deaths of indigenous peoples around the world, really opened his eyes.
He continued by expressing his gratitude for how “times and laws in the US have changed,” alluding to the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which forbade federal recognition of same-sex marriages. He went on to say that, thankfully, times and laws in the United States have changed, and the tremendous benefit that the award brought to the LGBTQ+ movement in 2009 is now less effective than the reservations I have been connected with the toxicity of empire (OBE stands for Officer of the British Empire).
British Empire facing criticism
The monarchy is facing increasing criticism for its role in the history of British imperialism as a result of Cumming’s post. Barbados was the first country to abdicate the throne in nearly 20 years in 2021. A vote on whether to depose King Charles III as head of state was also declared by the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda in September.
The royal family got involved in a racism incident in December after Lady Susan Hussey, the Queen’s lady in waiting for more than 60 years, repeatedly inquired about the “real” background of a Black British charity executive. Cumming closed by returning his award, explaining his justifications for doing so, and expressing his sincere thanks for receiving it in the first place. He claimed to be back to being plain old Alan Cumming again.
