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Original poster

Where can I get a white poppy?

290 replies

Ellbell · 01/11/2006 01:27

Some time ago, I used to wear a white poppy (for peace) at this time of year. I haven't seen them for some years now. Does anyone know if they are still produced and where I can get one? Thanks

OP posts:
pooka · 01/11/2006 06:46

If I remember correctly there was a furore about white poppies. Correctly IMO because I think remembrance/poppy day is simply about remembering those who died in wars full stop - not about making a political or theological statement against war. Sort of like saying "I'm remembering but I think it was futile." I think you should just remember.

pooka · 01/11/2006 07:01

But if you're resolute go to www.whitepoppy.org.uk. Or google white poppies.

Trinityrhino · 01/11/2006 07:07

just for info

Trinityrhino · 01/11/2006 07:09

Pasted from the bbc.co.uk website:
The White Poppy
The white poppy was first introduced by the Women's Co-operative Guild in 1933 and was intended as a lasting symbol for peace and an end to all wars.

Worn on Armistice Day, now Remembrance Sunday, the white poppy was produced by the Co-operative Wholesale Society as the Royal British Legion had refused to be associated with its manufacture. While the white poppy was never intended to offend the memory of those who died in the Great war, many veterans felt that its significance undermined their contribution and the lasting meaning of the red poppy. Such was the seriousness of this issue that some women lost their jobs in the 1930s for wearing white poppies

Trinityrhino · 01/11/2006 07:10

you can buy them here

FillyjonkthePumpkinEater · 01/11/2006 07:23

more info on white poppies

FrannyOnFire · 01/11/2006 07:24

I have seen people wearing both red and white which is a sentiment I can relate to.

StFillydiaofJonkton · 01/11/2006 07:34

I think this was the original idea, franny.

I am not strictly in the final analysis a pacifist. I think there are a tiny few things worth going to war for.

I also think that that war was incredibly wrong and that, actually, most of the men involved did die in vain. God it was appalling.

And I would like also to remember the heroic efforts of those who refused to fight for moral reasons yet still did many of the most dangerous tasks in the war-carrying bodies off fields under fire, etc.

So dunno.

StFillydiaofJonkton · 01/11/2006 07:35

oh there should have been more emocions there.

skanger · 01/11/2006 08:10

i think all victims of war should be remembered-and its unbelievable that war still goes on-when will we bloody learn

StFillydiaofJonkton · 01/11/2006 08:13

yes thats another point

the red poppy's profits go to the british legion, which specifically helps ex-service people

but the victims also should be remembered somehow.

skanger · 01/11/2006 08:14

the goverment should look after the sevicemen and women

NotQuiteCockney · 01/11/2006 08:15

Thanks for starting this thread, I've been wanting white poppies (and refusing to wear the normal ones) for years and years, but never got organised. This year, more than ever, a white poppy makes sense ...

StFillydiaofJonkton · 01/11/2006 08:16

well would tend to agree skanger

but they don't really, or no more so than any other person with disabilities

ah now I am talking myself into white poppy wearing

we treat all people with disabilities/ who can't work, etc badly in this country. Maybe that should be the starting point.

lorina · 01/11/2006 08:18

I find the whole white poppy thing extremely offensive

southeastastra · 01/11/2006 08:21

the red poppy is such a potent symbol maybe a white poppy would make sense on another day. i would never refuse or even think about not buying a red one..

NotQuiteCockney · 01/11/2006 08:21

Why is it offensive to not have a red one?

NotQuiteCockney · 01/11/2006 08:22

I think there are a lot of homeless young ex-servicemen, too. Maybe not as many as in the US, but still ...

skanger · 01/11/2006 08:24

war is evil and can never be justified-respect,love,humility and understanding is what life should be about for everyone

StFillydiaofJonkton · 01/11/2006 08:25

oh christ yes, homelessness among ex-service people is bloody rife

Homelessness generally is bloody appalling and needs to be sorted. Its a complex thing, bringing into play mental health problems, inability to cook, all sorts of banal and complex crap.

Funding generally is needed to sort out homelessness, though.

NotQuiteCockney · 01/11/2006 08:28

The military is, from what I know, part of the cause of homelessness. It's a "total institution" (like prison, mental institutions and nunneries), so when you leave, you're not ready for normal life.

lorina · 01/11/2006 08:31

If you want to make a statement about peace then choose your own unique symbol and your own different day.

Dont just rain on someone elses parade. It is disrespect of the worst kind.

NotQuiteCockney · 01/11/2006 08:35

So we all must commemorate the end of a very stupid war in the same way?

skanger · 01/11/2006 08:38

it would be ironic if a thread about the wearing of a peaceful symbol ended up in an argument

southeastastra · 01/11/2006 08:54

it's rememberance for all wars.

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