Anyone here wear a white poppy? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45971456 BBC article about the differences between the red and white poppies. Can be quite an emotive subject this but I'd be interested to hear peoples thoughts on the white ones and if anyone believes that the red ones have been politicised in recent years as has been suggested.
Why choose?, I like the symbolism of the two and would wear both. Commemorate the sacrifice our forefathers made and work towards making sure it doesn't happen again.
If you wear a white poppy - and in a democracy you have every right to do so - where does the money go? The point of buying a poppy from the British Legion is not just rememberance; it’s to raise money for their charitable work supporting service personnel and their families in need. I don’t think that’s the case with a white poppy (I might be wrong though).
The proceeds of the white poppies go here apparently... http://www.menwhosaidno.org/pret/ I have no problem with contributing to both charities.
Except it does, time and time again. I think it's very important to remember those that have lost their lives in war. But the bigger issue here is addressing the conditions/politics/politicians that create wars in the first place.
Well not voting in idiots like Trump might help, having a better informed electorate is probably the way to go and that would start with education I guess.
I think we need a rainbow poppy to commemorate the sacrifice given by the LGBT community during the two wars. Can you imagine the meltdown on Twitter and in the Mail?
Yeah same for me. Nothing against the white poppy but just seems "right" to wear the red one - probably only because I always have. And, as Archers pointed out, all the money goes to the British Legion.
Tbh I think the right wing loonies are in the minority with this. Most people use the poppy as a sign of respect to those that made the ultimate sacrifice, and protect the freedom we enjoy today. I consider myself a patriot btw.
A poppy with a star inside a crescent moon to commemorate all the Muslims that died fighting for Britain
True, although I think it runs deeper than that. There are trillions of dollars tied up in arms deals, that in turn protect vested interests in land, resources and geopolitical interests. The shady world of big corporate interests that suppress people and nations in order to maximise profits. Then you have religious fundamental zealot nation states like Israel and to an extent Iran and Pakistan, and of course vast swathes of the US who vote for a narcissistic psychopath like Trump. And a mafia crime boss running Russia. These people don't give a **** about soldiers that die in wars. If they did they'd never send young men into wars in the first place.
Red though have no problems with the white poppy . On the politicisation of the "poppy" imo this is actually a side effect of the attempts to improve the standing of the military following the Iraq conflict.
I gave money, but never wore the poppy. I always hoped people would ask me why so I could tell them that the government should meet in its entirety the cost of caring for those damaged fighting its wars. If this means getting more tax from the elite who sent them to war in the first place then so be it. Sometimes people listened and understood, but often I just got abuse. They are not sold where I live so it no longer applies, but my opinion remains the same
