Reading a bit the past few days, I was a little surprised by all the condemnation of Halloween I saw. In this case, it wasn’t the expected “It’s the Devil’s Day! It’s Satanism in disguise!” crowd, but folks honing their knives for the Christmas season, by noting that it’s all about “commercialism” and “overindulgence” and “unhealthy living” and “selfishness.” It’s a panoply of curmudgeonly righteousness, from all parts of the cultural spectrum.
To which I say, Bah. Or Boo.
Halloween, as it has evolved in the US, is about fun. It’s about thrills and giggles and seeing kids having a great time and a bit of naughtiness and defying the coming winter darkness. Yes, it’s shifted away from its Celtic beginnings and pagan roots, but it’s also shifted away from the later “All Hallows Eve” Christian overlay. It’s just about fun. Mardi Gras with more chocolate, more toddlers, and fewer boobs.
Do people go overboard? Do parents go overboard? Do parents let kids go overboard? Yup. But that’s not unique to Halloween.
I got no problem with Halloween.