In the last year, we have relentlessly endured the campaigning for BLM in the name of ‘equality’ and ‘justice’, but where were the keyboard warriors on Remembrance Sunday?
Since the unjustified death of George Floyd, campaigning against police brutality in the US and UK has been ongoing. Celebrities have backed the movement, posting ‘awareness’ on social media and ‘Gen-Z’ have arguably been the most involved in protesting for BLM in the name of equality. But today on Remembrance Sunday, neither were anywhere to be seen.
Older public figures, such as David Beckham, have been proudly endorsing the Poppy Appeal. However, those who were so keen to pander to the left on the subject of BLM, such as current footballers and reality stars, have been absent. This is because these media elites do not believe that supporting our heroes this November will gain them popularity, unlike the attempts to virtue-signal for BLM.
Arguably, it is especially important to promote the Poppy Appeal this year, given the ongoing pandemic, and thus the increase in the need for support for our brave servicemen and servicewomen.
The same goes for the keyboard warriors who signed petitions and posted futile (but well-meaning) black squares on Instagram to correctly show support for victims of police brutality in the US and UK. However, there has been silence among the majority who took part in self-proclaimed ‘activism’ on the topic of Remembrance. This seems to be the case more and more, every year, because supporting those who selflessly joined the Forces and sacrificed so much is not trending on Twitter.
The truth is that the younger generations (besides a minority few) do not care for the Armed Forces and the sacrifices our brave heroes have made. The common sentiment is: ‘What have they ever done for me?’
Well, besides defeating the Nazis, defending BNOs, fighting terrorism and, most recently, providing aid with the pandemic, they have clearly done nothing.
Soldiers get an understated two days a year, whilst the LGBT community receive an unchallenged month. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the expression of sexuality, as is one’s right in the free country such as the UK – but why do they deserve a whole month, whilst men and women who have travelled all around the world to fight the Taliban and liberate other countries from tyranny only get Remembrance and Armed Forces Day?
Every year we say ‘lest we forget’, but in truth, we are forgetting. It seems that every year we forget more than the last. Soon, there will only be a small community who commemorate the war dead and those struggling post-tour, as there has clearly been a failure in education on the great importance of Remembrance. Perhaps this is why it is becoming increasingly neglected by the unapologetically narcissistic youth.
Thankfully, though, this year was devoid of disgraceful attempts to undermine the meaning of Remembrance, with the appearance of various forms of poppies (most notably the rainbow poppy), as with previous years.
I am not demanding that we all upload pictures on Instagram – I am simply saying that more needs to be done in terms of education, government intervention and charity towards helping grieving families and veterans, who are struggling both mentally and physically.
“Never was so much owed by so many to so few” – Sir Winston Churchill.
