QUICK DISCLAIMER: All views & OPINIONS expressed in Matt's Column are his own and the topics are that of his own choice. Comments are welcome below, however please make them relevant to the topic only.
I hope that every one who is reading this has been wearing their poppy for Remembrance day this coming Sunday. If not, I simply ask the question “Why?” Of course there shall be a selection of low moralled youngsters that shall not bother in showing their support for those that fought to allow us to have the lives we do today... but surely that is only to be expected? However, parents I’m sure who have any kind of pride I hope are teaching their children exactly why they should be wearing the symbolic flower. I have my poppy placed on my sweatshirt as I type this... however it differentiates from the norm. My poppy (which is pictured above) from the British Legion is covered in Swarovski Crystals around the poppy face and the leaf. I have noticed this year that especially on Television programmes the in-vision announcers (presenters) have seemingly started a trend growing of wearing diamond or crystal British Legion poppies.
I certainly did not buy mine for the sake of it being a “fashion accessory” but due to the simple fact it is a little more individual to wear and for the price of £30 you not only get yourself something which you can wear year after year with pride... the entire amount is a considerable donation to the British Legion! In my opinion, ANY amount of money donated is acceptable, simply give what you can afford. For the reason that I wanted to spend £30 all of which goes towards this immensely important and good cause... surely that is highly commendable? In giving the donation, I felt satisfied, fulfilled and somewhat that I had done my duty in giving such a small amount to such a large cause. I am now wearing my poppy with my head high and immensely proud. Does it matter that I have opted to want a deluxe poppy over that of a normal one? Do these shiny and sparkly offerings take away the meaning of what the poppies are actually there to symbolise?
If any of you saw Strictly Come Dancing last week, I’m sure you shall have observed the professional dancers and their celebrities wearing overly large and slightly ostentatious poppies on their ballroom elegant dresses and suits. In my opinion, slightly absurd. Albeit the dresses are glamorous and coated in sequins alike the poppies to go along with them were not similar to that of the British Legion variety. In that sense I did consider those to be a little ridiculous and wearing them to their advantage. Yet, with the sparkly poppies such as I have... they are at least of the same dimension of those that are the normal ones and indeed LOOK like them.
The sparkling poppies seem to be quite in demand at the moment with many people selling them on Ebay for treble the price... yet of course that money in most cases not finding its way back to good causes! Yes, of course, you consider and admire the crystal encrusted poppy into how much nicer it would look on your lapel, blouse or dress when compared to the normal ones. But has fashion overtaken the meaning? Well in some respects maybe it has! Ask the average youngster on the streets and I’m sure they would much prefer to walk around with the one glistening in the sunlight compared to the one which is easily rippable! I do ask you to think, however, this may be the case... but surely some people wearing the poppy purely because of its elegance and design is better than those not wearing them at all? Besides, if the British Legion didn’t approve they wouldn’t sell them, surely? A simple poppy maybe says it all... but is there anything wrong with adding a little shine and sparkle to them? My thoughts when buying were not how it would “look” but just how much I wanted it and with the overall meaning still firmly present in my mind. Overall I would say that donating more and getting the poppy I wanted in return is a fine deal?
What about the likes of Fifa who had banned poppies up until the involvement of Prince William? No other word to describe other than “disgusting.” High Street chains Poundland & Primark also threatened to ban them from workers... yet after much protesting from staff they were forced into changing rules due to backlash. In comparison to the likes of those bigoted big brands and names it reconfirms my thoughts that as long as you’re wearing a poppy of any sort... good on you!
I shall be wearing my poppy with pride at 11am this upcoming Armistice day (11/11/11) & Remembrance Sunday, ensure you do the same... sparkle or otherwise, the meaning is there! & for those that are wearing the deluxe ones purely for the sparkle, then it still shows up those who haven’t bothered!
Matt Howarth- Straight from the heart [VIEW HERE]
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