....to ask what you think of white poppies (Remembrance-related)?

[PlumpingUpPartridge]

I had been dimly aware of the existence of white poppies but hadn't really given them much thought until DH mentioned them this weekend. I checked out the website and saw this:

linky

I liked this quote:

"In 1933 the first white poppies appeared on Armistice Day (called Remembrance Day after World War Two). The white poppy was not intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War - a war in which many of the white poppy supporters lost husbands, brothers, sons and lovers - but a challenge to the continuing drive to war. The following year the newly founded Peace Pledge Union began widespread distribution of the poppies and their annual promotion."

I am very happy to express my admiration and respect for those who died in wars, but I don't particularly want to see any more wars. I don't know what the alternative is, but I'd like to see more effort go into finding it.

I've been sifting through the threads and noticed some anti-white poppy feeling (along the lines of 'it's disrespectful'). I didn't grow up here so don't have childhood experience to guide me on this. Please can you tell me what you think of it and, if you think it's disrespectful, why?

I'm not a journalist by the way, just curious and trying to be impartial

Problems I have with the Red Poppy:

Money goes to ex-soldiers - the government was their employer, they should sort out their care.

It used to be the Earl Haig fund. Earl Haig sent hundreds to their death

It has been co-opted as kind of a best of British patriotic thing

It used to and maybe still does glorify war

It tends to be remembering the British dead soldiers as opposed to all of those soldier and civilian, of all nationalities and "sides" who have died in war.

It has turned into something you have to agree with, see the furore when Jon Snow wouldn't wear one.

It has also turned into a fashion item, should people really be buying diamante encrusted special edition poppies? Really?

I would wear a white poppy except it is seen as a political statement, and I don't want to insult anyone or be spat at.

Wearing a poppy of any colour means f all. What is important is that people genuinely remember/think about the horrific realities of war, of all war, and stop doing it. Something our elected leaders seem to be woefully unable to do.

I wear a white poppy because I hope for peace, that's what the peace union is about. And it isn't tainted by the association with Haig, as the red poppy is, for our family.

Others feel differently but that is our way.

Having thought about it, I do see that it would be disrespectful to wear only a white poppy at this time of year.

Remembrance Day is about honouring those who have actually died for our country- the vast majority of whom didn't want a war any more than we do. It just seems a bit crass and self-involved to spend it worrying about possible future wars and the effects it might have on us.

My hero is my grandfather. He was in action in the second world war and refused to talk about it for most of his life (I know of only one occasion he did speak about it). He had lots of medals, but he gave them away because they meant nothing compared to seeing his friends and colleagues die and being unable to save them all. I think he very clearly hated war.

That man wore a red poppy. I will always do so for him.

My dad spent 6 years as a conscript in WW2. As a lifelong lover of peace he refused to wear a poppy of any colour at any time. he was the most thoughtful and sensible man I have ever known, so I expect he knew best.
I don't wear a poppy of any colour now, but I shall remember the dead at a church service and in the two minutes silence.

So a fair few think that this is the wrong time to make the point. When would be a more appropriate time? Serious question.

It's unfortunate when expressing your actual view becomes a political statement but I'm not sure how to resolve that.

Wrong time to make that sort of statement? But didn't all those soldiers die so we could live in a free society? Isn't that how it goes?

Free society doesn't mean that some things aren't innapropriate at certain times and my view is that white poppies at this time of year are in bad taste and forget the whole purpose of remembrance

What about people who don't wear poppies? Is that inappropriate or in bad taste?

I think it's ok if you're 15 and think that you're being clever and making a statement. Once you're a grown-up though, you should have more of an understanding of the symbolism of loss and wear red or nothing.

Not in my opinion no. I doubt anyone would notice who isn't wearing one (unless it was someone very much in the limelight) they would notice a white one.

white poppies at this time of year are in bad taste and forget the whole purpose of remembrance

Depends what you think the purpose of remembrance is. Someone on this thread has already said it is about "honouring those who died for our country" a statement I have huge problems with.

I wear both.

Hope that's ok with everyone.

I don't like white poppies when they are worn at this time of year. The year has enough months that the end of October and the beginning of November could easily be avoided by point makers.

The red of a red poppy is representative of the blood that was lost, and that is what should be remembered. It seems logical to me that if you are remembering that, then you are automatically acknowledging peace is better than war. It kind of goes without saying.

I don't agree that poppies glorify war. Misguided people might glorify war, but poppies don't.

I am never sure about wearing a red poppy because doesn't it just honour the british dead? My great uncle died in the war and I am not belittling the strength of feeling but I am uncomfortable with honouring the dead from only one country when many have fallen. In this respect I'd rather wear a white poppy but wouldn't as I understand people find it disrespectful. So I wear neither. Not sure that's any better!

I wear a white poppy - it belonged to my Grandfather - he was a D-Day veteran and fought in Italy and Africa - he hated war and her became a member of CND, a pacifist and a man who didn't wear a red poppy.

I wear in out of remembrance and respect for him

I think that IS the purpose of remembrance Sirzy - oh and I also donate to RBL but I don't take a poppy

My grandpa was a member of Cnd too! His brother died in the war.

The "Earl Haig Fund poppy" is a charity appeal, just like the Marie Curie daffodil or the local cats home flag day.

Any time charity is mentioned on MN there is an outpouring of "I choose who to give money to and don't like bullying tactics", so how come the pressure to wear a poppy (or you are being somehow disrespectful) is not seen as a similar tactic?

BTW, the Royal British Legion had an income of £124.5m last year...quite a lot of money!

Wouldn't it be better to have a non-associated symbol of remembrance?

I am never sure about wearing a red poppy because doesn't it just honour the british dead?

Yup.

"The poppy is a powerful symbol. It is worn to commemorate the sacrifices of our Armed Forces and to show support to those still serving today and their loved ones."
www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/poppy-appeal

The White poppy makes a statement and nothing more. If you feel your need to make a statement trumps the need of servicepeople, veterans, their families and their dependants, then fine, it's your choice. But not one I would respect.

Nov 11th is an important day to hundreds of thousands of people - from elderly men and women remembering their comrades and family members to young children learning to live without a parent right now. Remembrance day helps with that, and hijacking it, when there are 364 other days of the year to make your statement leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.

Aside of the very act of Remembrance, the RBL does an amazing amount of good for people - and not just soldiers. Anyone with a military link can request assistance and every request is taken and judged on its own merits. The remit is huge and goes above and beyond the restrictions on the public purse - for example holidays for bereaved children, specialist disability equipment for a servicepersons dependant, the employment of disabled ex service people making the poppies and even a loan (to be paid back in full) to help an ex soldier get back on their feet - all things I have seen just this year.

White poppies raise no money for people that need it and just serve to upset some of the people that least deserve it.

Make your statement, you have the right, you have the choice and I would support that - but why choose to make that statement by hijacking something so important and so meaningful?

I have seen quite a few white poppy wearers over the past few days, - many more than I have seen in previous years.
I would never wear a red poppy, but may invest in a white one for next year.

I would never wear a white poppy. I think the poppy is about remembering those who gave their tomorrows so we could have our todays.
it isn't about me.

The thing that bugs me about White poppies is that they seem to silently imply that those wearing red poppies are somehow in favour of war. Maybe sanctimonious is the word I am looking for.

Red poppies are to remember the dead who died, against their will in a war not of their doing. They did it for us and we are incredibly lucky that we are alive now and not back then or it would have been our sons, brothers and husbands going to war, and not by choice but by conscription.

For those who won't wear them because they are attached to a charity- I cannot agree with you. It is the Royal British Legion who looks after veterans and families of soldiers. What more appropriate cause could there be?

anyone with a military link

This is part of the problem for me. The poppy appeal and RBL focus so overwhelmingly on the military - what about civilians who have suffered as a result of British wars in the 20th century? Can they appeal to the RBL for support?

It's all very well to say that all the war dead are remembered on 11 Nov, but when the money for the poppy appeal is limited to those with a military link, those words are rather hollow.

I refuse to support the British Legion. If the state wishes to go to war, then they must ensure there is funding available to support the consequences of that decision, and I will not contribute voluntarily beyond the money I choose to donate to charities who support all people with disabilities regardless of their military status.

However, I choose not to forget either, and the white poppy acts as a positive symbol of remembrance without the militaristic overtones. So I will wear my homemade white poppy and donate to MSF - picking up the pieces of war across the globe.