Red v white poppies

[Malhao]

AIBU to be unimpressed that the staff at school are trying to sell my kids red poppies without explaining the symbolism behind them?

I don't agree with the concept of war and am contemplating sending them in wearing white poppies (I've explained the difference to them and they both agree with the principles behind the white poppies) but wonder if they'll get picked on for standing out?

There does seem to be a real pressure to be seen to wear a poppy now, rather than it being a personal choice, which I dont like. So now I give money but dont wear the poppy.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Wear a poppy. Dont wear one. Red, white, purple, pink, black...

The important bit is remembering that war has cost countless lives over the decades and we all need to work towards a world without war.

I agree. It's the remembering that's important.

The white poppies are produced by the Peace Pledge Union

Which was founded in 1934

White poppies however pre-dated that, and were created as an abolitionist symbol.

I think it is deeply tactless (at best) to wear a symbol rooted in abolitionism on Remembrance Day.

But also remember why you have the right to wear it. And so in RL keep my musings on the irony to myself.

I wouldn't object my DC if they ever chose to wear a white poppy. But I wouldn't make that decision for them. I would, if I did not want to support veterans for any reason whatsoever, just not wear one

I don’t feel comfortable wearing a red poppy as I do feel they glorify war, I think they mean different things to different people. A white one is intended to remember the fallen soldiers but also the civilian victims, there’s even an animal one, and I think if we are celebrating heroes we should be commemorating everyone who died in horrific ways.

However. I recognise that the white one may feel a bit ‘fuck you’ to those who consider the red poppy important so I stopped wearing it and wouldn’t send my young kids in with it who couldn’t really understand. Maybe next year I’ll get both, like pps have said, that’s a nice compromise. This year my kids are off school I’ll and I’m glad for them to avoid some of the messaging to be honest.

Also - "The origins of the red poppy were to provide much needed money to veterans and families of veterans who desperately needed help after a war none of them asked for, but many paid a bitter price."

There's a pretty strong argument that this should have been provided by the super wealthy, whose wealth and power had just been firmly consolidated by the war, rather than by shaking down the working class again. Again I am referring to the first World War which is where the red poppy originated.

WW1 is on the KS2 curriculum in England. It don't see how it's possible that the symbolism isn't being explained.

Anyone who thinks red poppies glorify war needs to broaden their education,to put it mildly. YABU..and offensive

People here are mistaken if they think wearing red poppies aren't a political and divisive symbol. I know it's natural for British people to want to support their army, but there are many people living in the UK from places where British soldiers were the invaders, a colonial power, and a destructive force. They have absolutely no wish to support the British army.

Yes true, we just have just lay down and rolled over during the wars rather because we don't like war.

@RoseAndRose

WW1 is on the KS2 curriculum in England. It don't see how it's possible that the symbolism isn't being explained.

That's what I was thinking. It would be very unlikely a school isn't telling kids what they are for.

There's a pretty strong argument that this should have been provided by the super wealthy, whose wealth and power had just been firmly consolidated by the war

In part, it was. Look for example at the history of Hedley Court

The wider public support was spontaneous - looking after your mate's widows and children both literally and figuratively. And it grew and lasted because it is a genuinely popular cause

@BessieFinknottle

People here are mistaken if they think wearing red poppies aren't a political and divisive symbol. I know it's natural for British people to want to support their army, but there are many people living in the UK from places where British soldiers were the invaders, a colonial power, and a destructive force. They have absolutely no wish to support the British army.

Most people wear them for remembrance, anyone living in the UK benefits from the people who fought in the world wars. I can see why some have a different view to supporting current service men and women, but frankly why should people feel they can't support their military in case someone is offended?

Yabu and offensive but then I'm sure that's what you intended.

If you are going to teach your children about something at least educate yourself first.

If it was just about remembering the fallen soldiers of WW1 it would be one thing. It's not. It raises money to support present-day army veterans.

I imagine the young men who had no choice but to go war would like to not believe in the concept of war
The poppy remembers them and raises money for them. It's not a celebration of war

I wear my red poppy to remember the fallen and injured soldiers who sacrificed their life so we can have a better future.

I wear a purple poppy for the fallen animals who sacrificed their life

Also it's not a problem for people to wear them, not at all. It's the expectation that everyone does, no matter their background, that's the problem.

How old are your kids? Do they really understand or have you just told them your thoughts and they’ve ‘agreed’ with you?

My kids wear a red poppy and a purple one to also remember the animals efforts.

I don’t particularly agree with war, but that’s not what the red poppy symbolises so I wear one.

When I learned that the British government knew about the concentration camps but refused to bomb or disrupt them, I refused to wear the poppy. I was outraged and disgusted. But eventually I understood that this was not what the poppy represented. Had the men and women of the British AF not given their lives in these conflicts, I would not have my right to be openly Jewish protected in law. I would not be fully accepted as a member of society. I would not even be alive.

I wear the poppy now.

@Prattypitel

No other country in the world is doing this poppy thing.However,Britain is a country that is quite ready to involve itself in a war.I find the whole thing totally baffling.And why do we have a populist government now,when we are proud to have fought off a populist leader in the 2,world war???

I wear a red a white and a blue cornflower badge. The white I bought in Belgium at a Flanders memorial, the blue at Thiepval where it’s the French memorial flower. We used to wear poppies in Australia.

The poppy isn't just about remembering ww1 and ww2 veterans. If it was, I wouldn't feel so conflicted about wearing one. It's supports every British soldier who has been involved in a conflict since the world wars. That includes the soldiers who were involved in the troubles in Ireland.

The red poppy highlights the cost of war. The people who never came home. The families who mourn them. Those who were injured. How can it be wrong to support those families?

I couldn't disagree with you more. There's nothing about glorifying war involved.

Many people do wear white poppies on Rememberance day.
Some of us choose to wear both a read poppy and a white poppy.
There is really no need to phrase it in terms of red versus white.

Along with wars there is suffering. Suffering of all kinds, both of the kind where people die from the arms and the weapons used and the suffering which was real of those that have been persecuted and thrown into prison for their refusal to bear arms, such as conscientious objectors.

The best schools, state and otherwise have a discussion about this. Very topical as there are usually over fourty wars going on in the world.
Peace Pledge Union already mentioned. I understandwww.ppu.org.uk/remembrance-white-poppies
also white poppies were a Women's Cooperative initiative. Here is a link to part of the history:

I was spat on in the street for wearing a white poppy.
My late father, a conscript for 6 years in WW2, would never wear a red poppy. Nor will I.

www.ppu.org.uk/remembrance-white-poppies