I’m quite happy to wear a poppy, and have at various points helped my mum and my grandmother out with their poppy collections back at home. However, it’s become increasingly obvious that the TV – in particular the BBC – have a squad of Poppy police to descend on anybody who is about to go on camera, and put a poppy on them with the leaf in the appropriate place. There also seems to be a righteous brigade ready to launch a salvo against anybody not wearing one.
It’s almost too much. Sure, as far as raising awareness it’s great, but it is going a little too far when Jon Snow has to explain why he doesn’t wear a poppy on camera. There’s some foaming at the mouth on the part of the ‘poppy brigade’ that seem to have become quite upset by his visible break in conformity. As he succinctly puts it, its a private matter and people shouldn’t be forced to wear something on air. He’s consistent and avoids symbols of any sort. Good on him.
For a different perspective, how about Why his colleague Sarah Smith on More 4 WILL be wearing one.
It’s an interesting debate, and something my better half, Frances, commented on the other day when they appeared on screen for the first time a week or so back. For me it’s one of those things that marks the middle of autumn, and I watch out for it much as I do for the first snow, and leaves turning brown.
Personally I do wear one. It’s the least I can do to mark the deaths of millions of people (from all sides) who have died, and continue to die, in wars. But I think I’d feel a bit put out if I had one foisted on to me for conformity’s sake.
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