Poppy rage appears to be losing its poisonous edge, so maybe the message is sinking in

Poppy Rage Appears to Be Losing Its Edge

Nobody should feel compelled to wear the controversial poppy symbol — even the British Legion and the Imperial War Museum agree. According to Laura Clouting, a First World War curator at the Imperial War Museum in London, perceptions around wearing the poppy have changed significantly.

“It has now come to symbolise the sacrifice and effort of the armed forces in more recent conflicts,” says Clouting in a video on the museum’s website. “But because these more recent conflicts have become more complex and perhaps morally ambiguous, the poppy has become a more contentious symbol.”

Clouting explains that the red poppy, unlike the white one which stands for peace, has at times been appropriated by far-right groups. She adds that critics often view it as linked to the actions of Britain’s army, such as those in Northern Ireland.

Growing up in Northern Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s, many children played with remnants of war found at home — helmets, old ammunition clips, and flasks once belonging to their fathers or grandfathers. These relics served as vivid reminders of family members who fought and died in two world wars.

On the streets of west Belfast, along the Falls Road and near Rockville Street, the children’s games often featured these wartime mementos. At McCrory Park, overlooking the hilltop, they unknowingly carried pieces of history — tangible symbols of conflict and loss that shaped their understanding of memory and identity.

Author’s Summary

As public sentiment softens, the poppy’s symbolism is evolving from patriotic unity toward a nuanced reflection on sacrifice, controversy, and the complexity of modern wars.

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The Irish Times The Irish Times — 2025-11-07

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