Red Poppy – White Poppy?
I’ve always wondered why white poppies and a pacifist message on Remembrance day are considered disrespectful. It seems to me that soldiers died, not just for freedom, but for peace. (For a brief discussion of white and red poppies look here.)
We talk about the sacrifice of getting killed in the war. We must also think about the survivors, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends, who were left behind who grieve the loss until the day that they die. I think there had better be a goddamn good reason before we send our kids to war.
I have a memory of my sister singing this song, and today brings that memory to the forefront. The chorus goes:
Why do we kill people who are killing people
To show that killing people is wrong?
What a foolish notion, that war is called devotion
When the greatest warriors
Are the ones who stand for peace Full lyrics here, sample here
Maddy learned that song at summer camp, she went to a “Peace” camp, kinda hippy, I guess. Kinda like my parents, I guess. Kinda like me too, I guess.
I am reminded of a song that we both learned at camp, One Tin Soldier:
I always think of peace on Remembrance day, and how nice it would be to have world peace. And I think about how naive I used to be, believing it could happen. I think of my crisis of faith (in humanity) in university when I realized, we keep making the same stupid mistakes over, and over again. For power and greed.
Our sons & daughters die for this. Our parents grieve.
Shame on us.
I used to have a tape of my sister singing and playing the recorder to that song – I heard it on the radio yesterday and burst out laughing…totally forgetting the meaning to it. Thanks for reminding me…
Oh wow – I remember my sister and I singing this song years ago in the bedroom we shared.
I have several great conversations today about history and peace and veterans.
Thanks for this!
There was a time I knew every word to that song as well as “Where Did All the Flowers Go?”. I too naively believed in world peace. When my world was small enough that I thought I could make a difference. I definitely support the troops but like you and Sara say “lest we forget” should be to ensure it happened “never again”.
Great post, Er.
I remember going door to door in Toronto in the late 70’s, telling people about a peace rally and urging them to attend. My neighbour across the street was outraged. “My husband fought in the war, and I was a war bride” she said indignantly. “I’m not going to a peace rally.” So when I suggested that the “lest we forget” was not about not forgetting so we could glorify, but not forgetting so that we could ensure it happened “never again” she was furious with me. She refused to believe you could be supportive of the troops when they returned and still against the fact that they were fighting in the first place.
The war to end all wars. Was that WWI or WWII? I forget. So long ago. So many wars since!