To remind you all of this BEFORE the Poppy becomes a divisive symbol

[OneAmusedShark]

That in the First and Second World Wars, literally hundreds as thousands of black and Asian people fought for Britain.

They answered the call, as volunteers, to fight in the trenches side by side with white British soldiers.

Soldiers from Africa, the Caribbean and what is now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs…
they all did their bit.

Winston Churchill is on record praising them. He said “The bravery of Indian soldiers, both Hindu and Muslim, is unparalleled in the history of warfare”,

Don’t forget also the Eastern Europeans who fought the Nazis alongside us,
especially the Polish airmen.

And remember this, when the Americans came over with their segregated units,
and tried to impose segregation in local pubs and cafes near where they were stationed, Churchill refused to assist them.

Remember the Battle of Bamber Bridge where white US military police tried to stop black troops from drinking in certain pubs, and the local British population sided with the black troops.

So if you’re white British, next time you see someone of African, Caribbean or Asian heritage, just remember that their Grandfather or Great Grandfather or Great Great Grandfather may have fought alongside yours in WW1 or WW2.

When we wear the Poppy,
we remember ALL of them and give thanks for their sacrifice.

Thank you for splaining.

Do you think people dont know this?

Thank you for this.
Several of my relations fought in WWII.
Two died as POWs.
Two served with special forces.
None of them was white.

The poppy is already divisive. It’s become a pro war symbol.

It's great and important and valuable to remember those who made such sacrifices. Of every nation and skin colour. 100% with you there.

It is not necessary to demonstrate this by supporting a charity that does sponsorship deals with weapons manufacturers who sell arms to Israel and make antipersonnel mines that will be used against civilians. The Royal British Legion does not have a good set of ethical policies. There are other veteran charities one can support instead.

how on earth?

You'd be surprised by how many people don't.

I don't think that's right at all

This applies to my relatives @OneAmusedShark

But I think people already know

Usually it's seen as a divisive symbol because people see it as being pro war or some such, there are closer relatives (fortunately for me not living in this country but they visit a lot) who don't approve of it and they actually dislike that our ancestors served in the war - quite what they think the answer was, I don't know

I don't really understand why you've posted this to be honest.

Has it?
I always see it as acknowledging the death of all the poor bastards that died in the freezing mud and had no choice.
No one is pro war apart from Putin, surely.

Nonsense

I don’t think some people do.

I’m thinking recent stories where:

1. Reform UK supporters were trying to recruit members whilst selling poppies and
2. A group of Poppy sellers were attacked by pro-Palestine activists this week (who clearly didn’t know that Palestinians also fought for the allies in both wars).
3. A group of left-wing activists tore down poppies from lamp posts on the basis they believed them to be nationalist hate symbols.

Load of people know this already. Lots of us choose not to wear a poppy - I remember listening to a chap who was a 92-year-old World War Two veteran who stopped wearing a poppy because he thought the sentiment had been hijacked by politicians to sell dubious wars. And it has. So I don't wear one.

It isn’t.

There is absolutely NOTHING pro war about the poppy.

It really, really hasn’t.

It’s used that way by lots of people. It’s not how most people see it but some people use it in this way.

And I for one respect your right not
to wear one should you so choose.

It’s a free country.

It wouldn’t have been if Hitler had won,
of course, and that’s why I choose to
remember everyone who fought fascism.

There is a popular misconception that “Britain stood alone” until
the Americans got involved, which is not
true.

The contribution of African, Asian and Caribbean Commonwealth troops requires more recognition in my humble opinion.

Many don't. Laurence Fox did not seem to.

I haven’t heard this before, and would love a link so I can read more about this.

Do not worry, I shall offset you and him by wearing two: one for my great uncle who died in the mud of Paschendale and one for my grandfather who ferried troops off the Dunkirk beaches in his tug.

I hate it when the first response adds nothing.

OP, YANBU. As you can see, many people don’t like hearing the truth,

I don’t think there’s anything offensive about the poppy unless you’re one of those that falls for the rainbow poppies that float about online all the time

I agree.

I’d never heard this before and would
also like to know if it’s true or
not.

No it hasn’t

There is no one on this thread denying the contributions of service people from other nations. There is absolutely nothing controversial in this. There were countless non white British service people involved as well. This is not news.