ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...oppy?CMP=fb_gu

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/...-rembrance-day

ITV London newsreader Charlene White has been subjected to sexist and racist abuse online about the fact she did not wear a poppy on the news.

Personally, I find this disgusting. I also agree with John Snow (Channel 4 newsreader who has received abuse also for not wearing a poppy) . He said the reason he does not wear a poppy on TV is simply that he thought those men died so we could choose which symbol to adopt rather than have one forced upon us.

Don't get me wrong. I do wear a poppy every year, and I donate to the British Legion (who do great things for *all* our soldiers, young and old). I have noticed this year a lot of facebook statuses (don't follow twitter much, so no idea how bad it is there) seem to imply that if you don't post a picture of a poppy, you are somehow disrespecting those who fought. That's wrong in my case and because I believe it is wrong, I refuse to post a picture of a poppy.

Either way, it is absolutely abhorrent that people feel the need to abuse other people because they won't wear a poppy.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

I too wear a poppy, for many reasons, but mainly because I choose to.

Increasingly though the poppy seems to being adopted by the right wing nut jobs...... as if the poppy represents jingoistic celebration of all that is good about their idea of Britain. I don't see too many of them at dignified remembrance services though.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

:tu:

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

Can somebody please tell me when it became illegal NOT to wear a poppy. Because there has been a few people that have been targeted for not wearing one, so it must be law that you have to wear one.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

I don't wear one, haven't for years since I began feeling uncomfortably obligated to wear one, some people are borderline fascist about it and need to have a good look at themselves imo

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

I have worn a poppy each year, BUT don't feel you are oblige to wear it.

I cannot see what the fuss is about - to me its up to the person to choose whether to wear it or not.

I have the greatest respect for the Royal British Legion.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

What Arthur said....

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

It has become quite hysterical. It seems like some people feel a need to shame and bully those who don't wear one.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

There was a thing about this on Radio 4 on Tuesday IIRC, and the BBC said its up to the person to decide if they wear a poppy or not.

Personally I think some wear it to avoid any hassle they will get for not wearing one.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

Absolutely. There is a growing and worrying attitude around today that your opinion is only valid if it's popular.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

This year is the first year that I did not buy/wear a poppy.
Getting abused for not wearing one if your in the public eye is disgraceful.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

I will repost what I said on facebook the other day.

"No I don't have a poppy, I have a poppy band thing and donated via my mobile. In previous years I've donated on my phone and got sent a poppy picture. I had the poppy app too.

But what I think is important is that I donated. Some people assume I just didn't bother because they can't see the standard paper one.

As long as the cause gets its worthwhile support I am happy."

I've had problems in my community for not wearing a visible one.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

The poppy " mafia" have been on the increase for many years now.

It starting to reach tipping point.

People need to back off.

There are many reasons why someone may not wish to wear a poppy, all of them are nobody's business.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

..... and the fact that the sticky on poppy doesn't last for the length of 30 minute commute. My daughter had put one on her school blazer on her way home..... it didn't last the 300 yard walk!!

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

OMG seriously, that's outrageous lengths to have to go to just to appease some mentally deficient Facebook drones. I said earlier I don't wear one but I always donate, the legion helped my family many times over the years and it's the least I can do, incidentally I bet it's a considerably higher donation than the majority of the cretins that think it's ok to abuse others manage to scrape together, perhaps they should consider that or that the person their abusing could be a war veteran themselves, that'd almost be ironic.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

i have never supported the poppy appeal, i would support a lets not do that again appeal .

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

For clarification, the Poppy Appeal is in remembrance of those who fell, not a celebration of war.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

People seem to have forgotten what the poppy symbolises, including the 2 minutes silence, I was once up my local town centre on the 11th just before 11 o'clock approached we told my nephew and niece to stand quietly, (some other brats were running around like possessed demons) which they did, after the 2 minutes an old guy came over to and thanked them.

They know what the poppy represents and always wear one every year.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

The thing is the Poppy has become entangled with patriotism. You don't see critics getting as feral if someone is not wearing a AIDS awareness badge, or a moustache during 'Movember' to raise awareness of prostate cancer, or even participating with Comic Relief and Children in Need. The Poppy invokes far more angry responses. So to a minority of people not wearing a Poppy is a sight against the country and therefore against them in roundabout way. Although I suspect for some of that small minority it's more about having the moral high ground over their fellow citizens and that they actually care more about the Poppy as a fashion symbol, a advert for the amount they care, than what it represents. It's quite a cynical view I'll admit but I can't see any other reason why people would be that angry about it if not for show or personal affront.

I mean can you think of a more symbolic everyday betrayal of what it stands for than abusing or demanding the firing of someone who doesn't wear one?

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

To be fair as comparisons go, they're pretty crap examples.

The poppy is to remember those that died defending this country and our way of life. So it something that affects us all.

Therefore an element of patriotism is unavoidable and understandable.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

Its your personal choice. I buy a poppy each year & never collect it, I have a very special poppy (special to me) which I wear each year, so I just give a quid to the British legion in the hope it will help our ex servicemen.

It represents the fallen during WW1, of which there are very few, if any, left, however, the poppy, the "symbol" represents all our war dead, past & present.

To any ex serviceman or woman, wearing one is a mark of respect for our war dead. Its a time to remember the brave souls who gave their lives so we could enjoy our freedom, & our freedom to debate the issue.

:nworthy:.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

Harry Patch was the last surviving "Tommy" died at 9 am on 25 July 2009, aged 111 years, one month, one week and one day

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

Personally, while I think that anyone who does or is injured in the line of duty helping others or serving their country deserves respect and admiration, I like to donate as I feel that in some tiny way, I am helping living ex-servicemen a little. This is what the British Legion does, and just displaying a photo of a poppy on a social network is not going to help them. They need money.

Note: As I've said before even if I don't necessarily agree with why Solidiers are fighting, I think they deserve respect for doing it. Its the government who ultimately decides who our forces fight, so any complaint should be taken up with them.

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

You know, I knew that, my son met him whilst training at the Junior Leaders Regiment. He took him round the Tank museum at Bovington camp in his wheelchair over 20 years ago. I don't know why it didn't come to me! Must be a senior moment.


:dunce::dunce:

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

I think its time for this matter to be dropped. We all know why the poopy appeal is there, and l support it each year.

My belief is that all the service personnel gave there lives for our freedom that we cherish today. To bully someone for not wearing one is a disgrace, and the bullies should go and hide themself or join the rmed services. To find out what it was like.

I have a poppy sticker on my car each year and it normally stays there.
The Royal British Legion do a fantastic job and should be thanked for all there hard work

Re: ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.
 

Clearly this is not the case - even in this thread it seems there are those that don't know.