More like HalloWEAK

By Jen McShane
Collegian Reporter
October 31, 2007

It’s that glorious time of year again, between the relaxation of summer and the dreariness of winter: Fall. How I love the fall! The explosion of color, lusty reds, brilliant yellows and vibrant oranges: all of it creates a masterpiece for the eyes. The cool, but not freezing, air blows down from the north, refreshing after the stifling days of August. Jumping into and hearing piles of leaves crunch below one’s feet recalls the days of childhood. For these reasons, and many, many more, fall is a great time of year.

However, there is one thing that mars the bliss of my love affair with autumn, and that one thing, which poisons and taints my love, is Halloween. That one holiday, which slips into the middle of fall, is just not appropriate for this wondrous season.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the idea behind Halloween is cute for the younger children, dressing up in their costumes. It is the age where pretending is a way of life. In between the various Cinderellas and Spidermen, who would not want to see an 8-year-old girl dress up like a pop star, a la Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan? Or a 10-year-old boy dress up as the grim reaper, carrying his sickle, with blood flowing down his mask? Yes, that is exactly what I want to see coming to my front door, demanding candy.

And that’s another issue. Why do we send children out into the night to knock on strangers’ doors when we spend the 364 other days of the year warning youngsters about keeping away? There must be some safer way for young children to enjoy this ancient holiday. Children could dress up to go to school or communities could put together a Halloween festival or fair. Think about it, it makes perfect sense. Households could donate the money they spend on Halloween candy to put on a community festival where everyone could attend. “Treats” could still be distributed and there could be various events for all ages. The idea of young children, and even older ones, knocking on strangers’ doors worries me to no end. Plus, many of them are walking around in the dark, where we cannot even see them! This idea of a community event eases my mind, where children are safe and quiet citizens are not disturbed half the night by the repeated ringing of the doorbell.

Perhaps one of the most irksome aspects of Halloween is the distribution of candy. I know it’s cheap and easy to do, but is there nothing else society can do as a treat? Just muse over it: the sweet, angelic smiles of a six-year old destroyed by eating bags of Skittles and Smarties. Sure, a parent can say “no more candy,” but what six-year-old wouldn’t be tempted to sneak a piece or two of a delicious Milky Way bar? Now, do not think I am against candy or a super-health nut, because I too enjoy rich, velvety chocolate. However, I believe in moderation, and I fear that Halloween may addict children to candy at a young age, damaging their future health.

mcshanej2@lasalle.edu