Tuesday 28 October 2014

white Poppy

The White poppy was created to remember casualties of all wars, with the added meaning of a hope for the end of all wars. The red poppy, it was felt, signified only the British military dead. The idea of decoupling Armistice Day, the red poppy and later Remembrance Day from their military culture dates back to 1926, just a few years after the British Legion was persuaded to try using the red poppy as a fundraising tool in Britain. A member of the No More War Movement suggested that the British Legion should be asked to imprint 'No More War' in the centre of the red poppies instead of ‘Haig Fund’. A few years later the idea was again discussed by the Co-operative Women's Guild. In 1933 the first white poppies appeared on Armistice Day (called Remembrance Day after World War Two). The white poppy was not intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War. The following year the newly founded Peace Pledge Union began widespread distribution of the poppies and their annual promotion. Anti-war organisations such as the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship now support the White Poppy Movement. Those who promote the wearing of white poppies argue that the red poppy also conveys a specific political standpoint, and point to the divisive nature of the red poppy in Northern Ireland, where it is worn mainly by the Unionist community. They choose the white poppy over the red often because they wish to disassociate themselves from the militaristic aspects of Remembrance Day, rather than the commemoration itself. I found a few for sale on eBay. They are cheaper from here http://www.ppu.org.uk/ppushop/ Some will wear white, some red and a few will have both. White http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/poppy-appeal-2014-this-is-why-i-wont-be-wearing-a-red-poppy-this-year-9814449.html Red http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/5694498/On_Remembrance_Day_spare_a_thought_for_the_despicable_White_Poppy_appeal/

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