To ask if anyone in rl has ever actually met anyone who is 'offended by a poppy?

[Whatsername17]

My Facebook feed is full of memes declaring that people are going to 'wear their poppy with pride and they don't care who they offend'. My nan is the latest culprit and I've called her out on it. Cue lots of her friends spouting racist bollocks about people not being able to sell them blah blah. My nan spouting shit about what a good heart I have because I can't see the bad in people. I'm 34. I'm not a fucking child. And breathe!

There are definitely people out there who really despise the poppy and it's symbolism. They just keep quiet about it once they are in power and put them on for the TV.

The wearing of the red poppy is about remembrance. People should equip themselves with the facts before they start pontificating.

@Numbsnet - I didn't make any sweeping generalisations. I stated that I find it an offensive symbol of British colonialism and that I am Irish. I did not state all Irish find it offensive. Any sort of knowledge of Irish and British history would allow the reader to understand why an Irish individual (i.e. me) might find it offensive

Poppy laying cermenoyin in Dublin
amp.independent.ie/life/world-war-1/we-hope-our-reimagined-poppy-will-be-sign-of-hope-30270582.html

More with some issues in Cork, as new lord mayor (sinn feint) refused to attend despite the tradition.
www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cork-lord-mayor-fails-to-attend-poppy-day-commemoration-1.2421672%3fmode=amp

The Poppy commemorates the dead. Not celebrates.

It commemorates those who died. Black, white, Jewish and even Irish.

While England has a lot to be ashamed about in relation to Ireland the Irish did not cover themselves in glory in WW2.

All counties and all people need to think about their history and the people who died believing they were helping others. It should make us all uncomfortable.

I wear a poppy every year and have never met anyone offended by it.

However I am offended by those bloody awful pins that don't keep the poppy on and then stab you in the boob! They need to invent one that comes with a safety pin attached. Rant over and I'll eat my biscuit now...

I object to how sanctimonious people are about poppies, as if the Poppy appeal is more worthy than any other charity. I dislike aggressive, sanctimonious patriotism and know some people who the Poppy brings that out in. Obviously Irish people have many reasons to be offended by the symbol.

Equally obviously the people who believe urban myths (who are often blinkered, dogmatic, patriotic types incapable of actually questioning anything or thinking for themselves) dont want to know whether the rumours are true. People like that love a bit of righteousness indignation and to feel they are fighting a group of outsiders against... Something... Anything really, fight the outsiders, that's the ticket. Actually thinking analytically about the issue is absolutely not the ticket...

I think there"/ an awful lot of bollocks about this.

I really dislike how the message of the poppy (red) as solemn remembrance is ignored by (some) people making a point via a straw man. Not wild about how the origins of the white poppy (no, it's not just the women's co-op, it has always also been positively about funding the movement to disband the army/navy/airforce and that's wher (most/all?) the funds go today. Rather sad that the purple poppy was discontinued.

But, those are my views. And it doesn't matter whether people agree or disagree wth me. That's a important part of what freedom means.

Wear one, don't wear one, do whatever you like. But don't expect people to do the same.

(only exception, if you are actually going to a formal remembrance event at which a poppy is the dress code)

I agree with you @theymademejoin, it was another poster I was answering who decided that being Irish meant they dont wear one!
Of course I understand why lots of Irish people don't wear one. It doesn't have the same symbolic meaning here and British people should be more informed about why we don't all share their feeling on commemorating the dead soldiers who fought for Britain.

But I'm Irish and have Irish relatives who died for Britain (when Ireland was part of Britain) and feel its important not to forget this and the poppies are a reminder for our generation and the future of the futility and gruesome elements of war.

@ASmallSteph - I'm not offended by an individual wearing a poppy as I know people have different reasons for wearing it. I find the symbol in and of itself, an offensive symbol as I believe it represents a bloody history that commemorates unacceptable actions by a colonial power. However, I know many people wearing them are not necessarily supportive, or even aware, of those actions.

And I would disagree about the interpretation of that symbolism, of course.

Regarding other posts on this thread, I do think the denial of there being this tension over the poppy in mainstream UK is quite interesting in and of itself.

And I don't think you understand what I said either numb. I am Irish, therefore I will not wear a poppy. This is because I'm mindful of what was done by British soldiers to the Irish.

Now, some Irish people don't see it that way, and that's fine - but my nationality plays a big part in why I don't wear poppies. If I was from the UK I imagine I wouldn't have this problem.

And as for Ireland not covering themselves in glory during ww2 - yes, I agree! But that's nothing to do with my reasons for not wearing poppies.

theymad how is the poppy an offensive symbol?
It is the symbol of rememberance and inspired by the poem. It was sold by the Legion to raise funds to support those who served and their famalies.
The poppys only connection to war is the funds raised by its sale go to help vets who served in wars. Thats it. Nothing more to it.

OK raven I'm Irish therefore, I will wear a poppy.

@cosmicpineapple I think people have explained fairly comprehensively why they find it an offensive symbol. You lose nothing by understanding that different people interpret that symbol differently to you. Yes you don’t find it offensive, doesn’t mean you get to tell people how they should interpret it!

Fair enough numbsnet. You're Irish, therefore you wanna wear a poppy to commemorate family who were part of the war. I get that. The poppy just has a very different resonance to me.

Now, that was easy.

I think the poppy was meant to, and used to, represent remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
I think those in the RBL should listen to the chunk of the public (myself included) who feel that this worthy representation has changed/evolved slightly and, in my mind, is getting closer and closer to a glorification of war. I am sure it isn't intentional but if a number of people feel that way surely it's worth looking at why?

reet i did not tell anyone anything. I asked a question.
For those with Irish connections i completly understand. I asked theymad a question not you so back the fuck off.

@CosmicPineapple - it's an offensive symbol as it commemorates British (I use the term to mean the British military rather than nationality of the members) military personnel who died. This includes people who committed appalling atrocities against the Irish and other nationalities. For recent examples, have a look at what the Black and Tans did. Have a look at bloody Sunday (there is more than one). Have a look at many of the actions of the British army during the troubles.

Also, those saying Ireland didn't cover themselves in glory in WW2 - at the time we had just achieved full independence for the 26 counties. Politically, it would have been hugely divisive to actively participate, particularly given the institutionalised apartheid in place in NI at the time. Ireland operated a very biased neutrality in favour of the allies.

CosmicPineapple is right.

The red poppy is not about "glorifying war" it is a symbol of remembrance for lost lives.

If it's being interpreted any other way then it's probably because people have mistaken the sentiment behind it.

am sure it isn't intentional but if a number of people feel that way surely it's worth looking at why?

Because the poppy raises around £40 million a year. I would think that is what keeps the RBL using it to raise funds.

Thank you for answering my question theymad

RavenWings

The poppy commemorates soldiers from The Commonwealth. So you feel uncomfortable remembering the ANZACs who fought at Gallipoli?

What about the South African and Sikh regiments?

Not everything is about Ireland.

Oh, and if it was a symbol

Pressed post too soon. If it was about commemorating all those who died in war, I wouldn't have the same problem with it. It is about commemorating military personnel.