Saturday 10 November 2012

Red Flower, White Flower

Recently, a group of people have taken it to their minds that wearing a poppy glorifies war, that a poppy somehow symbolizes all that is evil in the world. These people have banded together and made a white poppy, saying that they want to show peace and not war. These people have it in their heads that by showing up to a memorial wearing a white poppy they are doing something meaningful.

Here in North America, we live in a society that is safe, secure and free. We are free to think and say just about anything without having to worry about being sent away to be re educated. Todd Akin can spout his views on ``legitimate rape``, I wonder if any woman he knows or child of his has had the opportunity to put into practice what he claims. christian extremists like Fred Phelps can spew hate and pain at people when they are saying goodbye to a loved one, a loved one who was out doing the same thing that allowed phelps the freedom to preach his hate. Some days, sadly, it amazes me how far the envelope of decency is pushed by some people. This freedom we are privileged with has a  price tag attached to it, a price that was paid and continues to be paid by those men and women who choose to put themselves between harms way and you.

The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance, something to show you know what happened and who worked to give you the freedom to be who you are. Wear it with pride, and look at those men and women who fought and are fighting and remember that they are allowing you to be who and what you wish to be. The white poppy is a political statement. Fine, here in North America we are privileged to be able to make political statements, but there is a time and place for everything. November 11th is not the time, nor is there any place appropriate that day. If you can`t find it in yourself to attend a memorial without your political statement, then don`t. Those who were there do not need to see you. They have paid their dues for your freedom. Don`t spit on what they have done.

There are 365 days in a year. You have the right to make whatever political statement you wish on any one of them because of what people paid the price for. The least you can do is remember that is by not walking up to a memorial with a political statement on your chest. If you can`t even do that, then just stay at home because you and your politics are not welcome



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