No alternatives

Brian Hodkinson offers a proposal regarding white poppies

‘No alternatives’ – a phrase used by my father (a very staunch Methodist) as his answer to my question: ‘How did you justify going to world war two at the same time as being a Christian?’ His reply was: ‘What alternatives did we have?’

Now I know that there were alternatives. It’s just that he was not aware of them, which begs the question: are people today aware of alternatives to militaristic solutions to world and personal problems? I don’t think they are, even though there are many organisations that attempt to promote peaceful solutions, and I say this because for many years I have distributed white poppies in November, and invariably I get asked the question: ‘What’s the meaning of white poppies?’

So, I am making a proposal that, if followed up, will, I hope, make people aware, but first a little preamble.

On the run up to Remembrance Sunday, red poppies are on sale for weeks in advance. Television newsreaders seem obliged to wear them well ahead of time. The media bombard us with stories and images about ‘glorious sacrifices’ made for our freedom. Old veterans are interviewed. Pilgrimages are made to war graves. The list is endless.

In the midst of this mindset we try to shoehorn in an extra dimension by selling white poppies. Even the Peace Pledge Union, which makes and distributes the white poppies, has, on some of its literature, the phrase ‘Swimming Against the Tide’.

It seems to me that just as many people regard red and white poppies as alternatives, the fact that they appear together creates a tension. There is, in fact, the potential for conflict built into the act.

My proposal is simple: move the white poppies six months away from November to May. International Conscientious Objectors Day, which is held on 15 May, seems ideally situated for this purpose. On that day, all peace organisations could have public displays of their work in hired rooms; perhaps have public speakers. It might be that all organisations in a particular town or village could join up and create a massive witness to peace.

I know that in many places of worship there are dedicated members who are already working for peace, so maybe we could have services in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and even, I hope, Wicca celebrations on the village green. The BBC, as part of their declared mandate to present a balanced view, could broadcast events to mark the occasion.

Maybe we could have ‘white poppy’ speakers going into schools. Maybe we could create white poppy youth organisations to promote peace. Maybe we could create a peace cadet corps as an alternative to promoting the military. Maybe, as well as drama schools, choir schools and so on, we could create ‘peace schools’. Maybe… maybe… maybe… the possibilities are endless.

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Comments

Brian speaks my mind.
I think the white poppy advocates should be appreciative of the magnanimous stance of the Earl Haig fund in accommodating the hijacking of their remembrance.
Within the timespan of a year we can accommodate all causes and points of view, even if not conflicting. It is not necessary to cram all points of view into one occasion.

By StephenF on 1st November 2018 - 13:02

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