Wearing the poppy? - from "Serious Discussions"

[Jack_Ian]

My grandfather fought and was injured in The Great War. I also have relatives that died in this war and also in the Second World War (though not the same relatives, obviously ).

The poppy is sold ostensibly to support veterans, remember their service to their country and provide funds for the Royal British Legion, that help veterans in need.

While I would normally support charities, I do not buy the poppy and would probably refuse to wear it, as I believe it glorifies war and supports imperialist ideals.
It is a symbol to be "worn with pride" remembering the glorious heroes of the various military campaigns of the past and also of today.
In Britain, especially on television (and in particular on the BBC), there is tremendous pressure to wear a poppy. So much so, that it is no longer considered optional.
Where is the freedom that these fallen soldiers sacrificed their lives and limbs for if there is no longer a choice?

If there was some symbol that I could buy and wear, that was to be worn in anger, protesting the waste of young lives in wars that were more about imperialist nations vying for the right to have power over us, than any idealistic notions of freedom, I would instantly buy it and proudly wear it. There is a White Poppy, but it's not readily available and I'm not sure what happens to the funds collected. Certainly I've not seen it for sale here, though I probably would buy it if it was.

For those of you not familiar with the degree of "bullying" that can go on around this issue, here are some articles that might give your a flavour of what goes on.

This is about a footballer who refused to wear one. Later he received all sorts of abuse in the social media.

Also, FIFA back down and allow English Footballers to wear the poppy during an international match. A wrong decision IMO.

Outrage over decision by BBC not to have Overseas Presenters wear the poppy.

So. Should the poppy be worn? Optional? Even for government officials or the state broadcaster?

[Jedo the Jedi]

I think you've done well to highlight this problem, and I think I come down on it somewhere near you. I think we confuse "support the soldiers/veterans" with "support every war they fight." For those who understand the distinction and choose to object on those grounds it is painful to be ostracized for making the distinction. As I've just understood from LordKinbote in another thread, ostracism is the problem, and anything which tends toward it should probably be avoided.

So, to answer your question more directly, it really should be optional. However, with enough people "opting" to wear it, you still get peer pressure from the majority to conform. That's where it gets tough, in my opinion.
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[MNOWAX]

I noticed that one year the Top Gear Presenters weren't wearing their poppies and were chastised for it. I guess I didn't realize what it symbolized in Britain.
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[jadesmar]

Just don't set them on fire.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/12/arrested-poppy-burning-beware-tyranny-decency

[Jedo the Jedi]

[Courk]

I saw a Top Gear where a pre-recorded segment with their guest (Simon Cowell?) was introduced with the explanation that it was pre-recorded, and thus he wouldn't be wearing a poppy as it wasn't 11/11 when recorded. That sentence feels redundant.

I didn't realize it was a huge deal, though. I hadn't really thought of it, but I would have assumed it was a sign of troop support, not war support. Not bring of the British culture, I can't really comment further.

[Courk]

I saw a Top Gear where a pre-recorded segment with their guest (Simon Cowell?) was introduced with the explanation that it was pre-recorded, and thus he wouldn't be wearing a poppy as it wasn't 11/11 when recorded. That sentence feels redundant.

I didn't realize it was a huge deal, though. I hadn't really thought of it, but I would have assumed it was a sign of troop support, not war support. Not bring of the British culture, I can't really comment further.

[Beartalon]

There's not an obvious backlash for people not wearing the poppy in Canada, but the Royal Canadian Legion defends their right for only a red poppy to symbolize Remembrance Day, and for the poppy to only be used for that and nothing else unless sanctioned by them.