I also entirely understand the reasoning behind it. Regardless of your views on monarchy, this is a significant, somber moment in our history, something most of us have never experienced before and it had to be recognised. I just think it is the wrong way to do it.
There have been some spine-tingling tributes in football stadiums, most recently at Portman Road for little Lily Allen. The spontaneous singing of the National Anthem at West Ham last night was something I've never witnessed in a football stadium (at least not with the emotion that accompanied it) and was marvelous. The minute's silence at matches last night and lack of music was also moving and a powerful gesture. Black armbands all round. Imagine this multiplied up and down the land over the weekend, emotion still raw?
A number of my friends have been completely detached from Her Majesty's death, even find it a source of humour. They would've been at football matches to pay their respects. Now they'll be gathering for a few drinks, no doubt to moan about the monarchy instead. Their perceptions (false or otherwise) that they have of the monarchy being irrelevant and out of touch strengthened.
My boy's first ever match for his under-9's team tomorrow has been postponed. Instead of learning a thing or two about respect with black armbands, a minute's or even two minutes silence, a bunch of eight-year olds (certainly mine) will now be resenting that something they have excitedly been looking forward to for weeks.
Even on here yesterday, there seemed to be genuine sympathy and concern from those who agreed or disagreed with the monarchy. Now there's a real division and "shove your respect up your a**e" and the like.
I appreciate nothing can or will be done about it now, but I just think if they were hoping to empower the national sense of unity, they've gone about it the wrong way. |  |
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