In light of what has been said on this thread about people not liking public displays of remembrance, I was wondering if such feelings aren’t just a bit de rigeur, and if in fact we should actually be embracing such public displays.
With all the talk of “British Values” we have heard in the last 20 years or so, it seems to me that one way to encourage a sense of pride, warmth, solidarity, etc., is precisely by means of public displays. I think of the sense of community that existed among “Dead Heads” and other concert goers, for example, as they gather to enjoy the performance of a favourite band, is something that could only be engendered by means of such a common experience. What was the original “Live Aid” but a global public act that brought people together with a common sense of hope?
As for Remembrance Day specifically, is there anything wrong with a whole community coming together to honour those who have given their lives for the sake of something bigger than themselves? I don’t for one minute think that the thread that got me thinking about this doesn’t suggest a very good idea; it’s just that I think there is probably some real value in having people come together for a common observance/display – if only to encourage a greater sense of community.