Pamela McDougall: The white poppy is a symbol of grief

Some people wearing a white poppy have been accused of disrespect to the war dead. In the past some have lost their jobs because of wearing a white poppy and many others have been shouted at and abused. Today many are still unhappy at the wearing of white poppies and misunderstandings remain.

The white poppy is a symbol of grief for all people of all nationalities, armed forces and civilians alike who are victims of war, and a strong statement by the wearer in support of active peacemaking. The Bible tells us "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2-4), and in a declaration to Charles II in 1660, Quakers vowed: "We do utterly deny with all outward wars and strife and fighting with outward weapons for any end or under any pretence whatsoever, and this is our testimony to the whole world."

It is important for me to wear a white poppy to signify my belief that there are better ways of resolving conflicts than wars and that remembrance, although vitally important, is not enough.

The white poppy as a symbol of non-violence and opposition to war was created by the Women's Co-operative Guild in 1933. The following year the Peace Pledge Union joined the guild in distributing the poppies and later took over the annual promotion. About 50,000 white poppies are sold each year. The money raised goes towards funding peace educational work, but the Peace Pledge Union states that its main aims are to raise awareness and to challenge the view that war and preparation for war are necessary or inevitable.

When will we ever learn? There is space for red and white to bloom together side by side, and I shall wear both in grateful remembrance and in hope for a peaceful future.

l Pamala McDougall is a member of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)