Controversies over Poppies: Another Pop of Colour on Our Lapels
Since 1921, there is a long-standing tradition of wearing red poppies, during the Month of November, specifically on November 11, also known as Remembrance Day.
Inspired by John McCrae’s “In Flander’s Fields,” the red poppies, which grew near the battlefields of the First World War, are worn in commemoration of the armistice.
Over the years, the act of wearing a red poppy, as well as the concept of Remembrance Day, have been criticized for romanticizing war by depicting fallen soldiers as heroes and for promoting nationalism.
“I believe [war veterans] deserve recognition and support, but for years I was uncomfortable wearing a red poppy, because of the undercurrent of promotion and recruitment for current and future wars that I detect in many public events around the topic of supporting veterans,” says Teresa Gagné, co-founder of the “Vancouver White Poppies” initiative.
As a result, pacifist movements have developed their own version of a poppy, which aims to acknowledge civilian casualties of war, often as a result of environmental damage, and to promote the end of all wars.
Distributed in Britain in 1933 by the Co-operative Women’s Guild and The Peace Pledge Union, this poppy is white with the word “PEACE” written in its green or black in the center.
Opponents of these poppies argue that the creation of a new poppy overcomplicates matters, as the original red ones also imply advocating for peace, while encapsulating all of those who suffered, including civilians.
However, proponents of the white poppies argue that there is value in the emphasis put on commemorating under-represented victims of war.
To this effect, different coloured poppies allow for people to question their values, in order to choose the poppy that they feels accurately represents their views, hence when Teresa Gagné explains that “The white poppy attracts questions, and gives [her] a chance to explain the nuances of [her] support.”
In addition to white poppies, there are black ones, which specifically commemorate the contributions of people of colour in wars. France’s Tirailleurs Sénégalais, who were forced to fight during the First World War, are a prime example of this idea.
There are even purple poppies, which are worn and distributed by animal rights groups in order to acknowledge the fact that animals were used in the military, thus making them victims of war.
In fact, approximately 9 million horses and donkeys died during the First World War.
Each of these differently coloured poppies, though they differ in meaning, are not necessarily exclusive; you can wear several at once or simply wear the red poppy, the way people have traditionally done so.
The point is to show your respect for both the victims and the survivors of war in whichever way you are comfortable doing so.
Written by: Mel Spiridigliozzi
