for all those who have died fighting for the wealth of a few
On 11 November and the days around it, many people choose to wear a
red poppy as a symbol for those who have given their lives in battle.
The
red paper poppy was initially adopted as a symbol for those who fought
in the First World War, and was introduced by the American Legion in
1921. Today it is more commonly used in the UK, Australia, Canada and
New Zealand.
The flower was chosen because it grows wild in many
fields in northern France and Belgium - where some of the deadliest
battles of World War One took place.
When
it was first adopted, it represented mourning and served as a pledge
that war must never happen again. Indeed, the words “never again” were
emblazoned on the original design.
The red poppy appeal,
organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL), specifically represents
remembrance associated with the British Armed Forces.
However, a number of issues have caused people to feel uncomfortable with it , with many believing the red poppy symbolises
remembrance of British armed forces and its allies rather than enemies
and civilians who also died in wars.
Others feel the red poppy has become politicised over time,in Northern Ireland, for example, it became regarded as a Protestant
Loyalist symbol because of its connection with British patriotism, and that politicians use it to help justify war,and has become a symbol of death.
Personally speaking people have the right to wear a red Poppy if they choose to, but I am put off by the red poppy, to much association for me, with the glorification of war, and all its bloodshed, a mere marketing brand, used as a tool to promote current wars, but do acknowledge that many people choose to wear them to remember lives lost in conflict.
But there are alternatives, to this mass imposed red flower, that acknowledges the many civilian lives too. It is called the white poppy. Designed by the Co-operative
Women's Guild in 1933 and adopted the following year by the
Peace Pledge Union (PPU) as a symbol of anti-war and pacifist sentiment. There
are three elements to the meaning of white poppies: they represent
remembrance for all victims of war, a commitment to peace and a
challenge to attempts to glamorise or celebrate war, the PPU website
says. White poppies symbolise the conviction that there are better ways to
resolve conflict than through the use of violence. They embody values
that reject killing fellow human beings for whatever reason. The white poppy recalls all
victims of all wars – both combatants and civilians of all nationalities
– seeking to bring to an end "the exclusion of civilians from
mainstream Remembrance events".It
aims to promote the idea that there are different ways to avoid
conflict than through violent means, with the PPU stating: "The best way
to represent the victims of war is to work to prevent war in the
present and future."
To wear one is not to be unpatriotic or anti British, or disloyal, it is I guess just a badge of pride. The White poppy not just on show for one day. but bought and sold all year round, used to remember all victims of war, acknowledge that over 85% of casualties and deaths are civilian. This year alone has seen the rise in childrens deaths, with thousands of others made homeless.
We who choose to wear the white poppy do not claim that the lives of servicemen and women are of any less value than those of others. After all, all life is sacred.
I also acknowledge too all those conscientious objectors who chose not to fight and kill and truly honor their choice. I refuse to accept the current narratives, refuse to join in with jingoism but will continue to show my respect. The greatest tribute to those who have sacrificed all is to carry on working for peace, remembering all the victims.
There incidentally is also a black poppy, that remembers all those who who died in, and all those who resisted and
continue to resist, the capitalists’ wars. To those who mutinied, went
on strike, shirked, refused to kill. For all those they executed for
deserting.
Rememberance was intended to be a pledge that war must never happen again, not to be used to glorify or sanitise war. Arms dealers are currently still make profits out of war, from slaughter and mass misery, not sparing a thought to the carnage they’ve brought, but they'll still wear their red poppies with pride. On November 1I I will wear a white poppy with peaceful intent.
