I hate fireworks, they make me think of bombs.
Several years ago (I don't know exactly when) I started to feel slightly... bothered by the display of patriotism on the Fourth of July. Maybe it's because I'd started to think about the world as a whole and wondered why we should be so excited about the greatness of one country instead of all of humanity. I'm not sure. Either way, I stopped enjoying the Fourth (other than as a day off) and started feeling, well, weird about it.
Then, about four years back, I went to see the fireworks set off by two rival summer camps down the road. I used to enjoy them. Instead, I just about cried. I may have actually cried a bit at one point. While I used to just see pretty flashing lights, I now saw other things.
Here are the things I saw and still see, in no particular order: these summer camps are for rich kids and fireworks are expensive--seems like a waste of money. Also, fireworks are blasting lots of chemicals into the air and then letting their remains fall all over lakes and forests. I can't imagine the nutrient content of any lake is improved by dumping gun-powder into it. Further, fireworks are loud explosions. First, I wonder what the animals feel when they hear them. Pure terror, I bet. And humans? I can only think of bombs when I hear fireworks. Luke and I heard some fireworks yesterday and he turned to me and said, "Close your eyes and imagine that we're in some war-torn place right now and that's the sound of fighting."
Next time you see fireworks (as huge numbers of people will do today), just for a minute, pretend that they are bombs. Think about cowering in a house in Libya or Afghanistan while wondering if those explosions are getting closer... When Luke's grandfather returned from fighting in WWII, he couldn't go to fireworks anymore--he hid under his desk in terror when he heard them the first time. For him, they were nothing but bombs. Think about the fact that most Fourth of July celebrations are, in essence, a bizarre tribute to war. And maybe you'll want to cry, too.
And if that's not enough, read this.
--Allison
Several years ago (I don't know exactly when) I started to feel slightly... bothered by the display of patriotism on the Fourth of July. Maybe it's because I'd started to think about the world as a whole and wondered why we should be so excited about the greatness of one country instead of all of humanity. I'm not sure. Either way, I stopped enjoying the Fourth (other than as a day off) and started feeling, well, weird about it.
Then, about four years back, I went to see the fireworks set off by two rival summer camps down the road. I used to enjoy them. Instead, I just about cried. I may have actually cried a bit at one point. While I used to just see pretty flashing lights, I now saw other things.
Here are the things I saw and still see, in no particular order: these summer camps are for rich kids and fireworks are expensive--seems like a waste of money. Also, fireworks are blasting lots of chemicals into the air and then letting their remains fall all over lakes and forests. I can't imagine the nutrient content of any lake is improved by dumping gun-powder into it. Further, fireworks are loud explosions. First, I wonder what the animals feel when they hear them. Pure terror, I bet. And humans? I can only think of bombs when I hear fireworks. Luke and I heard some fireworks yesterday and he turned to me and said, "Close your eyes and imagine that we're in some war-torn place right now and that's the sound of fighting."
Next time you see fireworks (as huge numbers of people will do today), just for a minute, pretend that they are bombs. Think about cowering in a house in Libya or Afghanistan while wondering if those explosions are getting closer... When Luke's grandfather returned from fighting in WWII, he couldn't go to fireworks anymore--he hid under his desk in terror when he heard them the first time. For him, they were nothing but bombs. Think about the fact that most Fourth of July celebrations are, in essence, a bizarre tribute to war. And maybe you'll want to cry, too.
And if that's not enough, read this.
--Allison
Oh man, you put my post to shame. I just talked about how fun BBQs and fireworks are, but I totally agree with your point of view; especially about the money, tribute to war, and environmental effects. Interesting article and, once again, great post!
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