Dear Editor,
As another Valentine’s Day has come and gone, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the wise words Albus Dumbledore said to a young boy wizard, “Do not pity the dead Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”
Not only do I pity the dead, I pity those who are “too cool” that they can’t find anything else to complain about but a holiday that celebrates love.
Do we need a holiday to express our pride in America? No, but we still enjoy the Fourth of July. Do we need a holiday that allows us to drink a couple Guinnesses? No, but we still enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. Do we need a holiday to celebrate mothers who give birth to babies? No, but we still celebrate Labor Day.
With so much apathy, discontent and pessimism in the world today, is it really worth making your Facebook status about how a day that celebrates love is pathetic? Is it a holiday that most benefits card and flower companies? Yes, but does that have to be the only people who benefit from it?
Why not focus on the broader theme of the day? At the risk of sounding like a hippie, come on, everybody needs loves. There’s too much crappy stuff going on to be so adamant against a day that lets me wear pink underwear, so lay off the holiday.
FYI: Monday is President’s Day; no doubt a big day for James Buchanan fans and pessimists. Buchanan was our only President to never celebrate Valentine’s Day in office; he was a lifelong bachelor.
Sincerely,
Joe Kennealy
SJU Junior