Discussion
I turned on the telly last night, and Strictly Come Dancing was on. I don't watch it, but I did for a couple of minutes. Two people were practising their dance, wearing gym clothes and poppies.
Everyone in the studio was wearing poppies (lots of fancy jewellery-type ones around). Over the last week, I've noted that everyone on BBC telly wears a poppy, and they are always brand spanking new. It's obvious that the BBC wardrobe department has pinned them onto anyone going in front of a camera.
I'm not saying people shouldn't wear them, but when it gets to people wearing them pinned to their lycra t shirts to practice a dance, doesn't it kind of denigrate what they are actually for? If you're wearing one because the BBC have given you one and told you to wear it, then it just becomes a box ticking exercise, doesn't it?
In a similar way, when the BBC give Dr Who to a woman, or make sure there's a gay character, or a black character or whatever it may be in a programme, it feels to me that because they've made a conscious decision to do so, they're not actually really being inclusive, they're just ticking the boxes so they cant be accused of not being.
I hope my thoughts make sense, because otherwise I expect a raft of abuse now...
Everyone in the studio was wearing poppies (lots of fancy jewellery-type ones around). Over the last week, I've noted that everyone on BBC telly wears a poppy, and they are always brand spanking new. It's obvious that the BBC wardrobe department has pinned them onto anyone going in front of a camera.
I'm not saying people shouldn't wear them, but when it gets to people wearing them pinned to their lycra t shirts to practice a dance, doesn't it kind of denigrate what they are actually for? If you're wearing one because the BBC have given you one and told you to wear it, then it just becomes a box ticking exercise, doesn't it?
In a similar way, when the BBC give Dr Who to a woman, or make sure there's a gay character, or a black character or whatever it may be in a programme, it feels to me that because they've made a conscious decision to do so, they're not actually really being inclusive, they're just ticking the boxes so they cant be accused of not being.
I hope my thoughts make sense, because otherwise I expect a raft of abuse now...
Doofus said:
I turned on the telly last night, and Strictly Come Dancing was on. I don't watch it, but I did for a couple of minutes. Two people were practising their dance, wearing gym clothes and poppies.
Everyone in the studio was wearing poppies (lots of fancy jewellery-type ones around). Over the last week, I've noted that everyone on BBC telly wears a poppy, and they are always brand spanking new. It's obvious that the BBC wardrobe department has pinned them onto anyone going in front of a camera.
I'm not saying people shouldn't wear them, but when it gets to people wearing them pinned to their lycra t shirts to practice a dance, doesn't it kind of denigrate what they are actually for? If you're wearing one because the BBC have given you one and told you to wear it, then it just becomes a box ticking exercise, doesn't it?
And if somebody went on camera without, you could count to three and - bang - outrage...Everyone in the studio was wearing poppies (lots of fancy jewellery-type ones around). Over the last week, I've noted that everyone on BBC telly wears a poppy, and they are always brand spanking new. It's obvious that the BBC wardrobe department has pinned them onto anyone going in front of a camera.
I'm not saying people shouldn't wear them, but when it gets to people wearing them pinned to their lycra t shirts to practice a dance, doesn't it kind of denigrate what they are actually for? If you're wearing one because the BBC have given you one and told you to wear it, then it just becomes a box ticking exercise, doesn't it?
Ohnoes! Somebody on Strictly doesn't wear poppy - https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/111503/stri...
Then there's all the other poppygategeddon hysteria over the years...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326063/Jo...
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/877183/bbc-outrag...
etc etc etc.
Doofus said:
In a similar way, when the BBC give Dr Who to a woman, or make sure there's a gay character, or a black character or whatever it may be in a programme, it feels to me that because they've made a conscious decision to do so, they're not actually really being inclusive, they're just ticking the boxes so they cant be accused of not being.
Should every single character always be a straight white male? Wouldn't that be even less representative?TooMany2cvs said:
And if somebody went on camera without, you could count to three and - bang - outrage...
That's exactly my point. If you're doing it to avoid being criticised for not doing it, then your motivation is self-serving and wrong.TooMany2cvs said:
Should every single character always be a straight white male? Wouldn't that be even less representative?
I would hope that you're intelligent enough to know that's neither what I said, nor what I proposed.Doofus said:
TooMany2cvs said:
And if somebody went on camera without, you could count to three and - bang - outrage...
That's exactly my point. If you're doing it to avoid being criticised for not doing it, then your motivation is self-serving and wrong.Doofus said:
TooMany2cvs said:
Should every single character always be a straight white male? Wouldn't that be even less representative?
I would hope that you're intelligent enough to know that's neither what I said, nor what I proposed.i went shopping in derby and there were 10 young adults selling them. I buy them but don't really wear stuff like watches, badges etc, so show my support in other ways like buying from the poppyshop.
The thing that i hate is having it forced down your neck everywhere, and it kind of turns it into another holiday type deal, when it is a personnel thing to reflect on the past.
The thing that i hate is having it forced down your neck everywhere, and it kind of turns it into another holiday type deal, when it is a personnel thing to reflect on the past.
Edited by The Spruce goose on Sunday 12th November 17:23
its similar to the people that change their Facebook to support the latest tragedy.
Why not get off there fat arses and volunteer to actually do good? Or do a fund raiser or just volunteer time to sit with some lonely vets or even their own family.
Because that is too hard, we are just becoming a superficial society.
'Oh its o.k I bought a poppy, don't know the history of it just know it's cool.'
Why not get off there fat arses and volunteer to actually do good? Or do a fund raiser or just volunteer time to sit with some lonely vets or even their own family.
Because that is too hard, we are just becoming a superficial society.
'Oh its o.k I bought a poppy, don't know the history of it just know it's cool.'
Edited by The Spruce goose on Sunday 12th November 17:31
The Spruce goose said:
its similar to the people that change there facebook to support the latest tragedy. Why not get off there fat arses and volunteer to actually do good. Or do a fund raiser or just volunteer time to sit with some lonely vets or even there own family. Because that is too hard we are just becoming a superficial society. Oh its o.k i bought a poppy, don't know the history of it just know its cool.
Exactly- its all about drawing attention back to themselves, so they just jump on what's in the news at the time in a way they can latch on to.Sad ,really.
this was from 7 years ago but the sentiment still stands true.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/05/poppy-a...
''In a letter in tomorrow's Guardian, the veterans argue that the original aim of the appeal as a sombre commemoration of the war dead and the horrors of conflict was in danger of being lost amid the marketing spin and tub-thumping political aims.''
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/05/poppy-a...
''In a letter in tomorrow's Guardian, the veterans argue that the original aim of the appeal as a sombre commemoration of the war dead and the horrors of conflict was in danger of being lost amid the marketing spin and tub-thumping political aims.''
Edited by The Spruce goose on Sunday 12th November 17:48
The problem is it is great for the charity but over saturation in the long-term could mean the poppy becomes a pop symbol. It wasn't long ago the poppy was just worn on the 11/11, which is is what i've done.
At my school we used to read the names of the people that died in ww1 and 2 and plant a poppy cross. This is what the poppy symobilises to me, i always have a think to the people that died, a personnel thing wearing a poppy badge cannot just convey.
At my school we used to read the names of the people that died in ww1 and 2 and plant a poppy cross. This is what the poppy symobilises to me, i always have a think to the people that died, a personnel thing wearing a poppy badge cannot just convey.
Spent two hours yesterday with the kids in their cubs/beavers outfit doing a poppy collection in our nearest Asda, I was expecting it to be a horrible two hours with the kids being bored and not much going on but it was quite a pleasant couple of hours and the kids enjoyed all but the last 15-20 minutes when boredom set in. Lots of chit chat with lots of people, it's a bit of a chav free area but all sorts stopped for the kids and put some money in. I think between us at the entrance/exit we got around £120 quid, plus there was a stall selling snap bands, posh poppies etc. Convert that to lots of £120s across the UK, then extrapolate that over the whole week...
Totally agree with the points made about anybody public facing at all costs must be seen to be wearing a poppy, reminded me years ago of Sue Lawley hosting the Wogan show and making a big show of donating a load of twenties for I think Children in Need. Cringe.
Totally agree with the points made about anybody public facing at all costs must be seen to be wearing a poppy, reminded me years ago of Sue Lawley hosting the Wogan show and making a big show of donating a load of twenties for I think Children in Need. Cringe.
PDP76 said:
Very poor choice of words yesterday by a bbc presenter.
The silence has ended and the marches started. She called it festivities... festivities... what the f
k is being celebrated ?
Right now I'm watching The Festival of Remembrance from the Albert Hall on I-Player:The silence has ended and the marches started. She called it festivities... festivities... what the f
k is being celebrated ? http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/rememb...
Edited by Riley Blue on Sunday 12th November 21:11
Edited by Riley Blue on Monday 13th November 08:01
From the comments on this forum regarding the camera-facing people on TV always wearing poppies for Remembrance Day and the period leading up to it, it appears it's a no-win situation for them:
They're damned if they do, and damned if they don't.
It's not about jumping on a bandwagon or complying with expectations. It's about sincerely remembering those who gave their lives during two World Wars to preserve our freedom, and also about helping victims and families of our armed forces personnel who have suffered in more recent conflicts.
So please show due respect and stop bickering about when it's right or wrong to wear a poppy.
Please, if you have never done so, make an effort to visit Ypres and the 'In Flanders Fields' museum and attend the very poignant Last Post ceremony carried out at the Menin Gate every single evening of the year. Then visit some of the war grave cemetaries.
It is an extremely sobering experience.
It really brings home the huge sacrifices made by millions on our behalf, and emphasizes the utterly pointless futile waste of life that is war.
Please let us not forget.
They're damned if they do, and damned if they don't.
It's not about jumping on a bandwagon or complying with expectations. It's about sincerely remembering those who gave their lives during two World Wars to preserve our freedom, and also about helping victims and families of our armed forces personnel who have suffered in more recent conflicts.
So please show due respect and stop bickering about when it's right or wrong to wear a poppy.
Please, if you have never done so, make an effort to visit Ypres and the 'In Flanders Fields' museum and attend the very poignant Last Post ceremony carried out at the Menin Gate every single evening of the year. Then visit some of the war grave cemetaries.
It is an extremely sobering experience.
It really brings home the huge sacrifices made by millions on our behalf, and emphasizes the utterly pointless futile waste of life that is war.
Please let us not forget.
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