I can remember when Halloween wasn’t a source of untold billions worth of revenue. Back in the ’60’s, perhaps the businesses most likely to profit from October 31 were the linen companies, because angry moms had to replace sheets which had been appropriated for ghost costumes, eyeholes cut out, and, well…
Fast-forward to 2017. The Halloween industry (“Big Halloween”?) has to be a little nervous at the growing secular (yes, secular) backlash against the holiday, surpassed only by Christmas in terms of retail sales generated. I suppose it had to happen eventually, but even Halloween is getting trampled by the wild stampede of political correctness cascading over North America.
For years, of course, concerns have been voiced by a Christian that the holiday (which has, after all, its origin in the Catholic feast of All Saints’ (All Hallows) Day) was growing increasingly dark with its emphasis on the occult and violent (Freddy Kruger, anyone? Is it really a good idea that kids dress up as a serial killer?). At best, these concerns were put aside with a knowing smirk; at worst, it became another opportunity for the secular world to take a vicious swing at the Christian piñata. In the public schools, of course, Halloween was the one holiday celebrated with vigor.
But now, this year, things have begun to change rapidly. It’s all about cultural appropriation and micro-aggression, don’t you know? Some poor girl wants to dress up as the Disney princess Moana, and she’s told she’s guilty of the mortal sin of cultural appropriation. For those not keeping up, “cultural appropriation” is all the rage on the Left these days…or perhaps more accurately, it’s all the outrage. Don’t forget that being outraged is actually a hobby in 2017. It’s a great way to signal your virtue if you take grave offense at a manufactured/imagined insult, even if it’s not directed at you. So you’re allowed to be offended (perhaps violently so) if somebody dresses in a fashion not intrinsic to their particular racial/cultural identity. Wear a sombrero? Better not, unless you can prove you’re of Mexican origin. Dress as a Ninja? You better be able to pinpoint on a map what part of Japan does your family comes from. I predict that by 2020 at the latest, Swedish-Americans will be able to win lawsuits against people who dye their hair blonde without permission.
So, what does all this babbling have to do with a site claiming to be some sort of Catholic Cyber-Militia? Well, not much, I guess. I’m just enjoying watching the Left attack itself!
Now we’re beginning to see many public schools banning Halloween costumes from the classroom in an attempt to prevent offense. They are instead, recommending that kids wear orange and black clothing to celebrate the solemnities of Trick or Treat Day.
Orange and Black. Isn’t that color combo sometimes referred to as the “Devil’s Colors?” That shouldn’t be a problem. Unless, of course, the Wiccans throw a penalty flag claiming cultural appropriation…
