Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Republican: Why I’m happy to wear poppy with pride
Saturday, 7 November 2009
A self-proclaimed republican has told of his frustration that he must defend his decision to wear a poppy.
John McGurk has written on a political blog to defend the right of all republicans and nationalists to wear a poppy with pride — despite the opinion that the distinctive emblem celebrates the actions of the British Army and its controversial presence in Northern Ireland over the years.
Writing on the Slugger O’Toole political blog, he argued that supporting the Poppy Appeal goes further than commemorating Irish dead and that people who want to recognise the victory over the Nazis should be able to wear a poppy without fear of reprisal.
“I’m a Republican. I believe in a 32 County Irish Sovereign Republic. I want the tricolour to fly over Stormont, one day, with broad consent. And I’m proud to wear the poppy. For far too long Irish patriots have cast our patriotism in terms of what we are against — unionists, Britain, the loyal orders, the blue side of Glasgow and so on, instead of what we are for,” he said.
“I prefer to define my republicanism in terms of what I support. I’m for liberty, for freedom from the need to fear my Government.
“I’m for basic, decent equality between people regardless of creed or country or colour. I’m for helping those in need of help.
“Those values are universal and I’m proud that they have been adopted by a modern, outward-looking Irish Republic.
“But there’s an important point to me about those values. They are ideas, and rights, that have been paid for dearly with other men’s blood.
“I’m sick of having to justify my poppy with the argument that it’s ok to wear it because Irish men died as well. They did, and I honour them, but I would wear it anyway even if they did not.
“I wear the poppy because the battle against Nazism was a battle fought on behalf of humanity and not just on behalf of Britain.
“I wear it because I’m glad men of all colours and creeds gave their lives to liberate Belsen and because I’m happy that Europe is free and democratic for the most part. It could have been so different of those men and women had just decided to sit at home.
“If my poppy shows that I stand with those people, and honour their sacrifice, then I don’t care whether it supports the Royal British Legion financially or not, nor whether it is worn by the Queen or members of the SAS.
“They wear it out of loyalty to country. I wear it out of respect for a generation who laid down their lives so that my life is free.”
- Text Size
Comments
24 Comments
Good on ya mate. The poppy has been used as a political football for too long.
The poppy was first worn in america and is a tribute to the fallen in all conflicts.
Posted by Honest Joe | 08.11.09, 17:34 GMT
John Mcgurk,
well said, i support your position on wearing a poppy. Your insight is to be commended, if only all republicans could see the world through your vision, maybe mother Ireland would be free.
Posted by Patrick Kelly | 08.11.09, 02:46 GMT
What a refreshing letter for a change! It negates so many previous Unionist/Republican letters that all too often are full of rancor and hatred towards eachother
Posted by Dan | 08.11.09, 01:48 GMT
Well said!! Canadians are proud to wear the poppy, in remembrance not only of those who laid down their lives for the cause of freedom in two world wars, but also for their service men and women who are still laying down their lives in Afganistan etc.
Posted by Expat | 07.11.09, 21:13 GMT
The poppy was meant as a memorial to the soldiers of the first world war The poem that started the use of the poppy was written by a Canadian doctor.It is not a Brit symbol rather an Allied symbol.
Posted by joe | 07.11.09, 20:56 GMT
Its a pity that we couldnt honour the dead in a manner that is totaly acceptable to all sides. Something that honours all Irish men no matter where they are from or what religion they were. The poppy is and always will be a symbol of the British Empire like it or not. Maybe a whit one would be more appropriate in Ireland for peace.
Posted by sean from co down Ireland | 07.11.09, 19:50 GMT
Brilliant ! My sentiments exactly. I couldnt have put it any better myself and wont try. Except to say Wouldnt it be great if we could wear an Easter Lilley next spring without fear of causing hurt or resentment to anyone ?
Posted by maurice quinlan | 07.11.09, 19:38 GMT
I would like to be the first to congratulate John McGurk on what he had to say about wearing the poppy! What he says makes a lot of sense - sadly, many republicans don't see it this way. Thank you, Des
Posted by Des Marshall | 07.11.09, 17:39 GMT
hear hear
Posted by matt | 07.11.09, 17:39 GMT
An interesting article and while i commend your decision to act independently of what those in your community may think, the question still stands; What makes the sacrifice made by those who died in the Great Wars any greater than any man or woman who has made the ultimate sacrifice fighting against oppression?
Posted by Tamim | 07.11.09, 15:25 GMT
Wow. We need more of that enlightened mindset. God bless John McGurk!
Posted by Monty | 07.11.09, 15:12 GMT
you may be a republican but even though i am a loyalist i salute you ,i respect your sensible view point , many republicans died in the great war they also deserve regognition, a poppy belongs to all never mind creed or colour
Posted by william | 07.11.09, 15:04 GMT
i will wear a white poppy to promote peaceful alternatives to solving conflicts. too many innocent people suffer and die in wars which ultimately solve nothing. millions died in the world wars of the last century and fascism is still very much with us. we should not forget all the innocent people who have laid down their lives for their belief in freedom and a peaceful world. i will wear a white poppy with hope for a more peaceful future.
Posted by beth | 07.11.09, 14:41 GMT
Well stated. The poppy has been hijacked by a certain undesirable element of society.
Posted by RMS | 07.11.09, 13:21 GMT
Well said.
Posted by Michael | 07.11.09, 13:10 GMT
I would be fundamentally opposed to all that John McGurk stands for politically. But I fully support and congratulate his stance on wearing the Poppy to honour all the Irish who served in the wars.
Posted by Emily A | 07.11.09, 13:04 GMT
free from what? the germans had no plans for ROI and as for the victors...they completely dumped the poles and cossacks and most of east europe in the hands of Stalin. he is a hypocrite because the last 30 years the provos shot more or less anyone they could who got in their way including catholics.
Posted by Greg | 07.11.09, 12:42 GMT
John, what planet are you on, lad? If you're a so-called republican, not only would you not wear a poppy, you wouldn't go around boasting about it. Something just doesn't smell right. I wonder if you even wear an Easter Lilly, to honour Ireland's dead? Bet you don't. And all this moaning about nationalists should wear a poppy. Why don't unionists and British respect Irish dead by wearing an Easter Lilly? Bet they won't!
Posted by billy boy | 07.11.09, 11:52 GMT
Maybe it is time for republicans to start their "de-brainwashing" process, so that people can think for themselves.
Posted by sg. | 07.11.09, 11:25 GMT
I am a Republican too, and I believe in a 32County Socialist Republic.
I lived in England for many years, and met many fine Englishmen who fought against Fascism in WW2.
I always contributed to the poppy appeal, and was glad to help any soldier, old or young, who needed assistance, or their widows or families.
But I never wore the poppy.
The poppy is a symbol, not of the fight against Fascism, not in remembrance of Irishmen or any nationality, but a symbol of the British military, who were very active for centuries before the rise of Fascism, and in more recent years too, unfortunately.
This has meant wholesale killing of both combatants and civilians in various countries around the globe, generally for the sole purpose of preserving the plunder of other people's resources for the ongoing enrichment of those in the British Establishment.
In short, massacre and death for the purpose of piracy and looting
in the name of 'civilisation' and, more recently 'democracy'.
Posted by sam simpson | 07.11.09, 11:24 GMT
24 Comments