By Daniel Rahman
There are many different methods of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield. Most wear poppies, many attend services at cenotaphs and some even visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier to show their respect. But remembrance should extend far beyond an annual tradition and the legacy of war should not be forgotten when it comes to today’s political issues; to truly respect fallen soldiers we must defend the freedoms they fought for in the 20th century and protect liberty in the face of rising fascism.
It was only last year when Neo-Nazis in Charlottesville showed their faces and unveiled the underlying intolerance and bigotry rampant in the Western world. This vile political movement has only grown since, demonstrated clearly last month by Jair Bolsonaro’s victory in the Brazilian election. The growing wave of right-wing populism across the globe highlights the xenophobic attitudes rooted in our society and demonstrates to us that the fight against fascism is not over. In the UK, this can be seen in the growing influence of Tommy Robinson and the rise in hate crimes since 2016. As always, the cyclical nature of history has resurrected Nazism and it is once again our duty to reject this hateful philosophy.
The soldiers that sacrificed their lives were not simply defending Britain or France; they were defending democracy and the human rights that we enjoy today. Hitler in World War Two and Kaiser Wilhelm II in World War One both wished to further political control and both posed a threat to freedom.These wars therefore were not solely a matter of patriotism but were an allied effort to protect valued principles. This concept should always be remembered so that we do not take these rights for granted and we continue to advocate for universal equality and liberty. If we fail to stand up to the right-wing nationalist movement, we fail our duty to protect the values fought for so many times before and we fail our duty to honour those who died in service a hundred years ago.
Wearing a poppy may show respect but it is no longer sufficient; the clear rise of intolerance mocks the brave men and women who gave their lives to ensure global peace and prosperity. The poppy serves its purpose as a sign of solidarity and remembrance but it fails to remind us of the constant fight against intolerance.Those who choose to wear a poppy aren’t placed upon a moral pedestal above the rest of us and it does not grant them sanctuary if they hold intolerant views. A poppy is simply one way of showing respect and it is not enough to defeat the horrors of fascism that still haunt society today.
We have forgotten the real reason we fought in 1914 and 1939 leaving us susceptible to the dangers of extremism. Ironically, it is often those who patriotically shout in support of our armed forces that spread bigotry and therefore disrespect the soldiers they admire so dearly. These voices need to be challenged and suppressed to uphold the principles of equality that were defended so righteously by allied forces. In all aspects of politics it is essential we remember the trauma inflicted by divisive politics in the 1930s and 1940s so that we can continue to have serious discussions about pressing issues without deploying hateful propaganda. Many issues in this country such as Brexit and immigration reform are clouded by a veil of bigotry that mean no meaningful political solutions can be reached. It is the job of the public to condemn this intolerant behaviour to improve the health of our democracy and to enhance our politics further.
When remembering this year, it is vital that we all consider not only the tragedy of each death on the battlefield but why those deaths were so important to our history. Without valiant efforts by the allied forces in both World War One and World War Two, we may not enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities that are taken for granted today. By all means show your respect with a poppy or a minutes silence but to truly carry on the legacy of those who have fallen we must fight fascism to the bitter end.
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