Poppies Red or White? - partnership event with Headingley Festival of Ideas
7pm Headingley Library Tuesday 6 May
Síle Moriarty writes:
Poppies, red and white, have become potent symbols and in
this event (chaired by Richard Wilcocks) they provoked a wide ranging
discussion on the themes of war and pacifism:
· Is
war valid?
· Is
war inevitable?
· What
is pacifism?
· Is
being a pacifist the same as being anti war?
· What
significance does pacifism have in the current world and domestic political
climate?
· What
can we do?
 |
| Sylvia Boyes, Richard Wilcocks (Chair), Ingrid Sharp |
Sylvia Boyes
started the evening by exploring the origins and meanings of red and white
poppies and she freely and frankly shared her own pacifist convictions with us.
She explained how red poppies were originally sold by women in Northern France
as a means of raising money and how their use gradually spread. Today they are
still used as a fundraising device for ex-servicemen and their families (this
later provoked a discussion on how poorly this country has always looked after its ex-servicemen and women) but in her
view they are now being increasingly surrounded by militarism and because of
that she feels she can no longer wear both a red and white poppy as she once
did.
She explained how the Co-operative Women's Guild made
and sold white poppies in 1933 before its wider adoption and promulgation by
the Peace Pledge Union. The white poppy is a symbol of peace and the search for
an alternative to war and was never intended as an insult to those who died in
the First World War - a war in which many of the white poppy supporters lost
husbands, brothers, sons and lovers - but as a challenge to the continuing
drive to war.
Movingly, Sylvia said she would willingly remember the
soldiers at the cenotaph but without the military paraphernalia.
Ingrid Sharp explored
the anti war movement in Germany, both before and during WW1, revealing how a
robust movement pre-war (comprised of groups such as the Social Democratic
Party of Germany (SDP), German Women’s groups and other Christian and pacifist
groups), changed once the war, which was presented as necessary to defend the
German way of life, started. This was because of determined censorship and
because, once war was declared, people and political parties (the SDP was one
of them) then focussed on supporting the war effort. However some anti war
efforts did continue, often via international connections (e.g. the International
Congress of Women at The Hague in 1915) but its voice remained small. There was
also no provision for conscientious objectors although there was some
unofficial tolerance of those who wanted to undertake non-combatant roles. It was interesting to hear the German
perspective and this was re-enforced during the discussion by a German member
of the audience who explained how in Germany remembrance (which mainly concerns
WW2 and the holocaust) is focussed on peace.
In the ensuing discussion opinions ranged from those who
said that ‘sometimes you have to fight for something’ to those who saw pacifism
as the only rational way forward. The discussion was passionate, respectful and
wide ranging and it was a privilege to take part. The audience comments below
speak for themselves.
Audience comments
1.
Ingrid
and Sylvia were good speakers. Well chaired by Richard. Nice informal group.
2.
Both
speakers gave very interesting presentations. The first speaker concentrated
with personal fervor on her campaign for the selling of white poppies, arising
partly from her Quaker convictions. Ingrid sharp from Leeds Univ. gave a
detailed account of WW1 as it was seen in Germany, where ideas of ‘pacifist
resistance’ were taboo. The short lectures then promoted an intense discussion
among members of the audience, many of whom had deep personal views on WWI and
war in general. An excellent start to the new Festival of Ideas (and fine
closing event for the very successful 2014 LitFest).
3.
Good
idea as a topic for discussion. Ingrid Sharp’s presentation was superb, do
bring her back to talk on other topics. Some people (a few) seemed to dominate
the discussion.
4.
A very
interesting debate and positive start to the Festival of Ideas.
5.
Just
to say that I thought that this was a really good discussion. Also I hope that
Headingley Festival of Ideas will become a regular event. One issue that could
be considered is whether the time is right for a big push to eliminate nuclear
weapons, which can never serve any useful purpose.
6.
Interesting
and lively debate.
7.
Interesting
information on something I’d never come across i.e. white poppies. Great to
have that opportunity.
8.
War is
not inevitable. There are alternative ways of solving problems. Do what you
can, where you are, with what you have got.
