Andy Tang's Photo Journal

By AndyTang

Poppy...

The poppy, a symbol of remembrance to those who lose their lives fighting for Great Britain.

Some people may find it odd that a person of Chinese heritage would care, but the country I was born in means more than my ancestral home. Great Britain is my home and I care greatly about the history and heritage here, without forgetting my "roots".

Am I Christian, no, but could the majority of native British people say they were?

The thing I find strange is that some people (or sh!t stirring media) would say this is a symbol of offence. To those people I would say look at your own history and heritage, and if it causes offence, either have the courage to of your convictions and leave that country or shut the hell up!

During World War 2, there were things happening outside of Europe, including the Japanese taking over and occupying Hong Kong, where the Japanese soldiers would single out the educated, including my paternal grandfather. He was tortured and try to use him to influence the rest of the village.

Few people will ever understand living like that, but bear in mind these were soldiers fighting for what the leaders at the time believed in. Do I blame the soldiers? No. I blame war on leaders.

So in conclusion, I see the simple poppy as a symbol of lost innocent lives. People whose lives would have been very different if some leaders were a little more tolerant or understanding.

Please can we learn from the past and not have any more bloodshed from needless war!

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