OPINION by Jesse Graham
A NUMBER of things come to mind when people think of Halloween.
From horror movies to carving pumpkins handing out lollies, there are numerous facets to the un-official event that is celebrated each year.
Many of the people I’ve spoken to shun the idea of celebrating such things in Australia, as it is largely seen as a foreign celebration and a means to promote consumerism.
Maybe there are valid points there, but there’s no need to write-off the event for such concerns.
First, the idea that an event (albeit a relatively minor, non-official holiday) shouldn’t be practised because it belongs to another culture or country is ridiculous.
The catch-cry of “this is Australia” as a justification for refusing Halloween, or anything for that matter, echoes faintly of xenophobic or insular attitudes; anything that doesn’t strictly belong to Australia’s heritage or “national character” should be abandoned.
Australia is a multicultural, diverse country, with a multi-faceted society formed by residents who have travelled the world to be here.
As society here is influenced from a number of outside parties, especially Europe and America, why can’t the adoption of Halloween fit snugly into part of that?
Secondly, there is so much value for children in the evening.
Not just for the opportunity to eat lollies to their heart’s content, but also for the creativity it can inspire when it comes to formulating a costume with parents or friends.
What better way to indulge the imagination in a child than helping them to create a costume and decorating the house with spooky adornments?
And consumerism? Halloween doesn’t have to be “store-bought”. Creating costumes and decorations from scratch could be a positive and enjoyable activity, and home-made treats could easily top those that come in a branded wrapper.
The event can be celebrated in a number of ways, too. Whether it’s trick-or-treating with friends, hosting a dress-up party or just staying in and watching scary movies, there’s no real mould that the evening has to stick to. It can just be an excuse to dress up or curl up on the couch.
Thirdly, what’s the harm?
There’s the argument that with Halloween comes vandalism.
Cars and houses egged and houses draped in toilet paper.
I’d argue that the people who do such things are the minority painting the majority in a bad light and that most trick-or-treaters are just after a light-hearted night out.
On that point, my main word is simply – if you don’t like Halloween, don’t get involved. It’s as simple as not decorating, not dressing up, politely turning away trick-or-treaters and continuing with your night as usual.
It’s not difficult and consistent calls for the country to ditch an event because it doesn’t suit you or your belief on how the country should operate is not only relatively fruitless, but it can appear closed-minded.
Curl up on the couch with a comedy instead, and don’t worry about the spooks and ghouls prowling the street for lollies and good memories for one night of the year.
