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.

Well, I think we can all agree that Larry Fox’s option of most things, even in the face of cold logic, isn’t worth a warm bucket of spit.

I, and everyone I know don't see it this way.

I am old enough to have had parents who lived through the war (my mum was with the Free French) so, the poppy is simply a symbol of remembrance to me and millions of other people.

A reminder doesn’t hurt. Why does it bother you?

Millions of Russians thrown in the meat grinder as well. Are you virtuous enough to recognise their contribution?

I've stopped wearing them because they've become performative and I don't like politicians wearing them whilst giving speeches that cause division. I'll pick my own charities to donate to and remember those poor soldiers in my own way. When I was younger they were about people coming together to remember we're all human and to remind us of the horrors of war. I don't think that's the case now unfortunately.

A lot of people don’t. And there are accusations of “being woke” when people mention it.

I dont think some people do know that, no. Or they are willingly blind to it because it doesnt suit their narrative.

Not helped by the fact that almost all footage of the second war features white british men.

My father has a friend who was born in Jamaica and fought in the british army. He was too young for WWII but was involved in other campaigns. He sells poppies and has said that some people seem surprised to see him doing it. So now he wears his regimental blazer and medals to make the point.

I knew about the overseas soldiers who joined in the British army but knew nothing about the segregation that the US forces tried to impose so thanks for sharing that

I sort of knew this but I don’t think it gets the airtime it deserves. Thank you for the reminder OP

Bollocks.

Personally, I'd rather commemorate the Post-WW2 Consensus which it resulted in. As this was a period of political agreement in the UK where the major political parties, Labour and Conservative, agreed on a mixed economy with state intervention, a comprehensive welfare state, and a focus on full employment.

@soupyspoon - you’d be surprised..

My grandparents lived through the Occupation - I wear a white poppy.

There are a lot of social media posts which would imply that such is the case.

Some of the lefty extinction rebellion types are not keen on the red poppy. When I worked in a well known supermarket I had a run-in with one of these. We had army cadets in selling poppies and he disapproved of children being "groomed to become murderers" when I told him my son was a disabled war veteran he told me he questioned what kind of parent I must be to allow my son to become a state sponsored murderer. Luckily the manager was in earshot and threw him out and banned him for life 😅

I see it more as a symbol of the human consequences of war. I live close to the National Memorial Arboretum. I visit frequently, often when I'm struggling. It gives me a chance to reflect and pay my respects. I often leave feeling that my worries are much less significant than I thought.

I buy and wear a poppy and I’m Wokey McWokerson.

It’s in aid of injured veterans and widows etc

I don’t really agree with war except in genuine defence (ie the national equivalent of how self defence / defence of another works for individuals) but I want to support those who have made sacrifices for this country.

I didn’t know that the Americans tried to impose racial segregation in this country and feel proud that the Brits of the time refused to countenance that.

At Charing Cross station this week there were servicemen and women of all ethnicities collecting which was great to see.

Agree with this very much.

Wish they had a WTAF emoji on here😑

What!

I didn't know this!☹️

I knew this, OP, but it doesn’t get talked about enough.

I’ll be wearing a poppy in honour of all those who fell, and all those who contributed to defending us in the wars, including my two grandads who fought in the Second World War and my two great-granddads who fought in the First World War, one of whom was gassed and left permanently disabled and traumatised, till he died prematurely. All of them sacrificed and endured much.

I don’t give a rat’s arse if others think it’s a symbol of war or any other such rubbish. It only becomes that if we let it, by stopping wearing it for its original purpose.

There are a lot of twats on SM posts writing utter shite normally why would slagging off poppies make any different?
I wonder about the mental capacity of anyone who believes any of it.

A quick google has brought up nothing about this so possibly it’s not true?

I appreciate this post on how it shines a light on the role of of people of different ethnicities and skin colours in fighting fascism.
i give money to the poppy appeal.
I do think the poppy as a symbol has been co-opted by Tommy Ten-names and his ilk.
When you have incidents of new-readers,footballers etc being “cancelled” for not wearing one, then it’s become something other than what it’s supposed to be. The wars were fought for freedom, including the freedom to nor wear a poppy.