Ali Smith
“Have you seen that gorgeous poppy by the front door?” I said.
“That’s not a poppy,” she said.
“Why is it not?” I said.
“Because it’s not red!”
Hooray! As my then-3-year-old grand-daughter did five years ago, the Beeb have become alive to poppies that are not red. White poppies will be ‘allowed’ on screen in future.
https://www.ppu.org.uk/news/bbc-allow-presenters-wear-white-poppies-air
Poppies on screen are heavy with symbolism and meaning. Does this decision mean that white poppies are to be accepted for what they represent and remember – ALL who have been killed in any war or conflict, both civilian or soldier? No longer to be seen as disrespectful, or even treasonable?
Is this a culture change moment?
I have three more joyful white poppy stories from this year:
Wednesday dancing 10/11/21
A friend telling me about her 10-year-old daughter who had arrived home from school with a red poppy, and then made her own white poppy which she was going to wear to school the next day.
Remembrance Sunday 14/11/21
While the crowds at Remembrance Sunday were drifting away, a small knot of us remaining from the vigil were approached by someone who asked us if we had seen the teenage Cadet taking part who was wearing a white poppy with her red.
Thursday gardening 18/11/21
I asked a young woman who was taking a picture of the white poppy on the front of the meeting house whether she would like to buy one. A small one.
She had been impressed with the Quaker white poppy wreath which she had seen on the war memorial and wanted some pictures for the blog she writes. She left with her pictures and a small white poppy.
Small sparks to light my week, or the signs of a changing world?
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Forty-Three Newsletter • Number 512 • December 2021
Oxford Friends Meeting
43 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LW