Could there be any more waste of a day than Halloween?
Seriously, why does the world need a day to disguise themselves?
Then, it’s glorified to the highest level.
It sounds like more of a themed birthday party for a child. Yet, human beings everywhere embrace it for fun.
The worst part about it all is that the world transforms itself to accommodate this said celebration.
Schools allow for students to dress up in their Halloween costumes, workplaces oblige, with some passing out candy for the excited children.
Yes, kids are happy and for that everybody else should be ecstatic.
But why are they elated?
Candy. It’s all about the candy.
A popular topic across America is obesity.
How could this be stopped?
What if fruit and vegetables were passed out instead? Does that suddenly change things?
It does in the standpoint that there will be less tooth decay or children feeling sluggish across the week as they consume the mounds of candy they collect over the course of a few dark hours.
On Wednesday, Oct. 31 there will be classes at Cerritos College and many students are likely to be dressed up in their costume, anxiously awaiting their release from school so that they might attend a party, or even go trick-or-treating themselves.
Upon doing some research, it was discovered that in Korea, Halloween is celebrated quite differently. What is known as “Chuseok” is a celebration where families visit the tombs of their fallen ancestors and give them thanks for the fruits of their labor.
Their designated holiday, which takes place in August, is worthy of such attention.
So is that which is celebrated In Mexico, known as “El Dia de los Muertos”, or “The Day of the Dead” is celebrated on Nov. 2. In America, it is referred to as “All Souls Day”.
The purpose of this day is similar to Chuseok in the sense that fallen friends and family are remembered and celebrated. However, Mexicans also celebrate the children, giving them candy, which again goes against obesity, but at least there is a purpose.
Couldn’t Americans honor the deceased for Halloween? Wouldn’t that make the day more respectable?
For those who aren’t aware of why people dress up for the holiday, it dates back to an old Celtic tradition that showed the relativity of the spirit world and the living.
But those roots seem to have been forgotten and that’s what makes the day so ridiculous.
Sure there are days like Veteran’s Day and Labor Day, but aren’t those days frowned upon?
Unfortunately, the days that are set aside to honor the past are opportunities for Americans to thank them for a day off from work or school.
Where would you be today without your ancestors?
Take a moment and thank them for that breath of fresh air you are breathing this very moment.
Understand why you are dressing up and receiving candy. It isn’t just an opportunity to go party and participate in whatever amount of costume contests that might be going on at the hottest party in town.
Embrace those roots, thank those who are responsible for everything that encompasses you today and then reassess the holiday.
Implementing this all will suddenly make the day a reputable one, with true reason to celebrate.
Until then, it’s just a waste of time and should be done away with until it establishes that identity.
