So, in response to all the vaguely angsty, generally well spoken and well reasoned, and overall derogatory comments made about Valentine's in the last day or so
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Christmas? A celebration of winter? No thank you. I hope to go somewhere one day where they've never heard of "below freezing" and they start driving 5kph at the rumor that Al down the road saw a flake. I'll take any chance I can get to celebrate my friends, but this isn't exactly top end of the chances to do that. And lacking the religious affiliation the supposed birth of some messiah don't spark it for me.
Thanksgiving? What, a celebration of either the white man breaking the red, or of gluttony? Enough holiday's celebrate family, they all do that, so this one doesn't count very high.
New Year's is one of the Top 3. That's a celebration I can get behind. We'll make that one No. 3. We made it another year, a new beginning to do the things we didn't in the year past, a chance for reflection and celebration of the accomplishments of the past year.
Fourth of July? Given my general disdain for "patriotism" as a concept this one doesn't make any impact on me. Sure, fireworks are pretty, but we really don't need to be celebrating the divisions between us and the rest of the world. YAY! We're American! Arn't we glad we're not,like... German or something? That would suck!
Mother's Day falls under the radar as far as holiday's go. Completely manufactured for the sake of selling cards and flowers. Should we celebrate our mothers? do I have a major issue with the holiday? Not really. It's it really that big a celebration? No and again no. This one ranks somewhere in the depths of the bottom of the top 15.
Top 2, taking turns at the top post, are Halloween, and Valentine's. Let us celebrate our love, and let us celebrate what time we are allowed with them.
That may be your preference, but the rest of the country won't agree with you. If you want to talk about purity and strength of spirit, you can't go higher than Memorial Day, Labor Day, MLK day, and yes the Fourth of July. I can criticize VD just as much for being vapid but if you're going to hold that the spirit of it actually makes it a noble holiday you can't ignore the spirit of the Fourth of July. It's not about cookouts or little plastic flags, it's about the innate freedoms and rights of every human being. Celebrating love? It celebrates our freedom to love.
I would argue that behind each of the efforts that spawned these holidays is the underlying sociological principles of group solidarity, social trust, and yes, love. It is these forces that created the groups that created these holidays. Where would Memorial Day be without the love of family (and yes country I realize) that drove our fallen to die. Oh, or was it just because they were drafted. Oh well, plenty of noble souls joined to fight the good fight for those they loved.
Labor Day memorializes the hard working laborer who slaves day in and day out, driven to provide food and necessities for those she loves. I mean, what's the point if it's simple greed that drives people to work these jobs. That's not how it is.. is it?
MLK day, a day when we celebrated a man who loved his people enough he was willing to fight everyone under heaven to get it. You want "freedom to love"? These people have been fighting for that from the beginning, and it wouldn't have meant anything without love to begin with.
As for the Fourth celebrating our "innate freedoms" you're right. It celebrates the innate freedoms we Americans have, and screw all else. Do we recognize any other country's independence day, or founding day? No, and why not? Because we're not them, and they don't matter. In my opinion there's no reason to be proud in being an American, just as there's no reason to be proud you're white, or male, or straight. You're born that way, it is an accident of fate that drives a heavy wedge between America and the rest of the world, or between other countries and us. The rest of the world can crumble and we are still first and foremost interested in our national interest. Look how much people worry about "American jobs" in the issue of globalization, look at the international trade situation, look at America's involvments in the ICC, the WTO, the UN as a whole for that matter. HAve there been good things? Yes! But primarily we and every other country is interested in themselves first, and then they can help their allies, to further their own position. Now, that being said, I do respect America, I love being one myself, and am honestly thankful for the sacrifices and work of my ancestry here. But too often I have heard the term "un-American" to mean something that is /morally/ and culturally WRONG. Do I have a particular issue with the Fourth of July? No! Not at all. I celebrate it along with the rest of America, but does it hold a candle to Valentine's under close inspection? I don't think so.
Now of course, everyone is welcome to their own opinions on these matters. I know what's important to me, and I have my reasons. As I'm sure you do. I am not at all trying to change your mind, or blow off your opinions here with some stupid "agree to disagree" statement. I honestly respect your position and am backing mine. Feel free to do the same. The last thing I want to have thought of me is that I have a closed mind. ^_^
Thanksgiving? What, a celebration of either the white man breaking the red, or of gluttony? Enough holiday's celebrate family, they all do that, so this one doesn't count very high.
New Year's is one of the Top 3. That's a celebration I can get behind. We'll make that one No. 3. We made it another year, a new beginning to do the things we didn't in the year past, a chance for reflection and celebration of the accomplishments of the past year.
Fourth of July? Given my general disdain for "patriotism" as a concept this one doesn't make any impact on me. Sure, fireworks are pretty, but we really don't need to be celebrating the divisions between us and the rest of the world. YAY! We're American! Arn't we glad we're not,like... German or something? That would suck!
Mother's Day falls under the radar as far as holiday's go. Completely manufactured for the sake of selling cards and flowers. Should we celebrate our mothers? do I have a major issue with the holiday? Not really. It's it really that big a celebration? No and again no. This one ranks somewhere in the depths of the bottom of the top 15.
Top 2, taking turns at the top post, are Halloween, and Valentine's. Let us celebrate our love, and let us celebrate what time we are allowed with them.
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Labor Day memorializes the hard working laborer who slaves day in and day out, driven to provide food and necessities for those she loves. I mean, what's the point if it's simple greed that drives people to work these jobs. That's not how it is.. is it?
MLK day, a day when we celebrated a man who loved his people enough he was willing to fight everyone under heaven to get it. You want "freedom to love"? These people have been fighting for that from the beginning, and it wouldn't have meant anything without love to begin with.
As for the Fourth celebrating our "innate freedoms" you're right. It celebrates the innate freedoms we Americans have, and screw all else. Do we recognize any other country's independence day, or founding day? No, and why not? Because we're not them, and they don't matter. In my opinion there's no reason to be proud in being an American, just as there's no reason to be proud you're white, or male, or straight. You're born that way, it is an accident of fate that drives a heavy wedge between America and the rest of the world, or between other countries and us. The rest of the world can crumble and we are still first and foremost interested in our national interest. Look how much people worry about "American jobs" in the issue of globalization, look at the international trade situation, look at America's involvments in the ICC, the WTO, the UN as a whole for that matter. HAve there been good things? Yes! But primarily we and every other country is interested in themselves first, and then they can help their allies, to further their own position. Now, that being said, I do respect America, I love being one myself, and am honestly thankful for the sacrifices and work of my ancestry here. But too often I have heard the term "un-American" to mean something that is /morally/ and culturally WRONG. Do I have a particular issue with the Fourth of July? No! Not at all. I celebrate it along with the rest of America, but does it hold a candle to Valentine's under close inspection? I don't think so.
Now of course, everyone is welcome to their own opinions on these matters. I know what's important to me, and I have my reasons. As I'm sure you do. I am not at all trying to change your mind, or blow off your opinions here with some stupid "agree to disagree" statement. I honestly respect your position and am backing mine. Feel free to do the same. The last thing I want to have thought of me is that I have a closed mind. ^_^
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