To think school shouldn’t insist that everyone wears a poppy and donates £1

[moonlightholly]

It’s supposedly in a deprived area too - there are constant reminders of the high percentage of pupils with PP.

Also, I don’t think a school should insist everyone wears a poppy - or AIBU?

The BBC’s obsession with the poppy and all things “remembrance” is bordering on some kind of corporate psychosis.

I honestly think the BBC thinks the prevailing mindset in the UK is Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.

Interesting that you didn’t have a word with the HT while you were there. Instead you hop straight over to MN!

I’m calling bullshit,

A friend posted a rant on Facebook yesterday vowing to unfriend anyone not wearing a poppy. This morning she has posted that she is prostrate with grief remembering her great great uncle who was killed in 1915, over 50 years before she was born. It's this kind of virtue signalling that incenses me; she's made it all about her and that's not respectful remembrance, it's utter self-absorption.

@BlackAudi I think a lot of Catholics in Belfast would be happy to explain.

@BlackAudI - Don't be so ridiculous! It is about remembering the fallen and the sacrifice THEY made for us. You've got it all completely wrong. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Really? Maybe go and check the Legion website and see what it's all about.

We provide lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.

Wearing a poppy is a way of showing appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, veterans and their families, both past and present.

We remember all who serve, have served, and their families, not just those who have made the ultimate sacrifice

That would include the murderers from the parachute regiment who were involved in bloody Sunday, the murderer of Majella O'Hare, the 12 year shot in the back by a soldier on her way to church etc etc.

So YOU'VE got it all completely wrong. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I don’t wear a poppy, I’m anti war, and don’t think it needs glorified. Most wars are fought on behalf of the rich, and paid in poor mans blood.

But, another concern is that any soldier that has fought for a country should not be dependent on charity. If they were injured (physically or mentally) then it is their employers responsibility to take the financial hit. Which means it is the governments responsibility

“ But, another concern is that any soldier that has fought for a country should not be dependent on charity”

This is something the poppy fetishists won’t engage with. A point the always run away from and avoid answering.

These people, and the RBL, refuse to lobby the government or criticise the government over the fact that charity for those wounded at work in the military is even required.

It makes me think that they enjoy it all rather than really caring about the welfare of ex service personnel.

I was put off by all the media agro last year about this football player or that politician who wasn't wearing a poppy.
So I'm not wearing a poppy this year.
I don't like the bullying.

@Mammylamb I agree, the way veterans are treated both here and in the US is disgusting. For all the jingoism and flag waving, no-one seems to care about the veterans on the streets. And how many of them suffer with MH issues but don't have adequate care?

@whyamidoingthis you really are a one trick pony aren't you? Boring, bordering on obsessive.

I agree about the FB posts with a 'who is more worthy than I?' about them. I probably have more than most on my FB Page, but that's because I have the friends and families of my fallen friends on FB, and I know that for some of them, a post remembering their loved one is appreciated.

The military (and its not just soldiers, a fact that many seem to miss) should not have to rely on charity, no, but unfortunately they do. The Government (a succession of them) fail the Military year in year out. Charities pick up the reins thankfully and many (not all) are helped.

I know a lot of people who donate but chose not to wear a poppy. I respect those people. They have the ability to set aside their feeling towards the poppy and still acknowledge that there are hundreds of men, women and children that still need help - help that isn't being provided by the Government(s) that contributed to their troubles.

@whyamidoingthis it is relevant, because the articles are misleading. Yes BS was an atrocity, do I think that overrides everything else the military does and has done? No. Do I find it disgraceful? Yes. And yes, the RBL does an immense amount for people where the government abandons them. Anyway, its an emotive topic and everyone has their own opinions, which were fought for.

@exLtEveDallaa - you really are a one trick pony aren't you? Boring, bordering on obsessive.

It says a lot about you as a person that you consider murder by British forces to be "boring"

Oh yeah duck I’m really going to walk out in the middle of a whole school assembly and ‘challenge the HT’

Now THAT really WOULD be bullshit!

@Curtainly - it is relevant, because the articles are misleading.

I disagree with you there. My reference to the articles was purely in response to the post claiming the Legion did not get funding from these types of organisations. There was no judgement of the companies on my part. Obviously if you have a military, you need to arm them and supply them adequately.

Yes BS was an atrocity, do I think that overrides everything else the military does and has done? No. Do I find it disgraceful? Yes.

And that's fine. At least your opinion is considered, rather than a sheep like veneration of the military which is apparent in some posts.

Fair enough whyamidoingthis, makes a change to have a conversation on here with different viewpoints without it descending into ridiculousness.

Also to the OP, absolutely unacceptable by the school, to force people to wear them is beside the point, especially with the £1 minimum.

You don’t walk out in the middle of assembly unless you’re some kind of half wit. You stay behind after and ask to speak to her about her use of words.

As it is you’ve achieved nothing. The situation if it happened doesn’t get resolved this way,

Get in there and challenge it on behalf of parents who can’t afford £1.

Dismissing someone continuing to raise the issue of Bloody Sunday as boring is verging on the grotesque. It's one thing to say you think that on balance you think other issues are even more important, as curtainly did: that's a respectful perspective even if one disagrees. LtEve's was not.

Are you a teacher, Duck

Yes BS was an atrocity, do I think that overrides everything else the military does and has done? No.

And therein lies the reason that this debate has gone nowhere. The military apologists on this thread are genuinely sickening.
Innocent people murdered and no one held accountable but it's all ok because most of the other people they kill are the bad guys.

Nothing I've read here in favour of poppies has done anything other than cement my choice to never support it.

Nope not a teacher and never have been.
Evidently you don’t like them from that comment.

Interesting.

If the OP was at the assembly herself, it doesn't really make sense, even more. Asking on AIBU means op thinks it was wrong for HT to say that. But instead of questioning her, or speak to other member of school, asking a total strangers who doesn't know the context of how she said it, or know nothing about op's school. Unless she was the only parent there, she could have spoken with other parents and decide what to do. At least some may have known it's not allowed. If she is a teacher herself or a member of school staff, she should certainly know they can't force parents to pay.

*asking total strangers on the internet

I’ve no problem with teachers. I am one. I was just interested as your tone was very commanding and instructional.

Except children do feel forced.

I wear a poppy but it’s very important that that remains a choice freely made and without any duress. It’s already becoming more and more difficult to make the choice not to wear one, and that makes me very uncomfortable. Everyone has their own way of remembering and giving respect, and everyone is entitled to their own feelings about the very nuanced topic of war, the difficulty in establishing “good” and “bad”, and the terrible history of conflict over centuries. Nobody should be forced to perform respect in a certain way, and I’m embarrassed to read some of the rigid pro-poppy arguments on here. You should be ashamed of yourselves.