Costumes and Candy
I use these articles as a means to critique the geopolitical landscape, political economy, and ideology, but sometimes, it’s good to take a breath and remember why those things matter.
Halloween, for many, conjures images of haunted houses, pumpkins, and children dressed as their favorite characters. For me, it’s a reminder that we are all part of a community, and people of many backgrounds come together to do something that is fun.
This matters to me because I make all of that criticism not from the perspective that the world or that people are bad. I love people, and I want the world we all put together to be as good as possible. Slowing down to show gratitude for the beautiful world we live in is something I think we could all do more of. While it’s easy to get wrapped up in doom and gloom, people all over the country are spending their time getting things ready for fun and passing out candy to kids.
I’m not gonna go on too long or wax poetic today, but sometimes it’s good just to breathe and acknowledge people just doing stuff because it’s nice or fun.
Labor
Halloween is the most theatrical part of the year, with everyone decorating, dressing up, and doing things just for the sake of it. Amidst the decorations and costumes, there's a shared joy and many moments that linger in our memories. While on the surface, “trick or treat” may seem like a simple exchange of candy for costumes (perhaps even sounding transactional), it's much more. The point isn’t the candy; I can go to Walmart and buy a ton of cheap candy whenever I want. The point is to go around and be silly for a while, moments of shared laughter, a twinkle in a child's eye, and the warmth of community.
I vividly recall houses from my childhood, where every corner seemed to come alive with decorations, and homeowners embraced their roles, whether it was a kind witch or a friendly ghost. Back then, it was just a fun thing we did. Now, I see it for what it truly was – a gesture, a gift. Whether you're the parent guiding those tiny excited hands or the adult offering sweets with a smile, you're stitching memories into the fabric of a child's heart. Memories that say, “Look at all the warmth the world offered.”
Looking back, I realize that no one had to do any of that; it’s just something nice people do.
And it’s not just trick or treating; lots of other things go on around Halloween. There are haunted houses (though, I confess, not my cup of tea) and often performances of other types, as well – fun things for people of all ages. Where I live, there are numerous family fun days, various performances, and even a yearly music festival around Halloween, and people have been out at that for the last several days.
While some elements are tied to enterprise, it's clear that profit isn't the sole driving force. All of this takes a great deal of effort by many people, and if the point were just making money, who would even want to be involved? Every performer, musician, theatre troupe member, or even parent wrapped in toilet paper brings a little magic into others’ lives. A thank you to all of these people, and congratulations to those who really put their full ass into a performance.
Trunk or Treat
Tomorrow, I'm taking my kids out to a trunk or treat just a block away. I come from a place where trick or treating meant driving several miles to the next town because only a few houses in my neighborhood actually did it. There was a neighborhood we always went to, but as I got older, fewer people did it there (which is perhaps what is making me appreciate it more as an adult with kids now). More recently, COVID-19 also changed the world, and my kids and I haven’t really been out trick or treating in a few years.
The “trunk or treat” appears to be a way of streamlining a few of the concerns trick or treating has always brought parents. I’m sure my parents worried because of various news stories about “needles in candy” (even though that was BS), but the truth is, having kids go door-to-door talking to strangers is actually a concern. A trunk or treat gathers everyone into one place, a parking lot, and it’s done there.
This particular trunk or treat is raising money for a local shelter that assists poor and homeless families by having people pay a small fee to pass out candy. I am rather critical of charity for its subservience to existing structures (particularly large charities that work to spread ideology on behalf of the richest people in the world), but this type of thing resonates differently. They’re local, tangible, and they make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.
I really like this approach. It gives me less to worry about as a parent. And, while it’s not much (and it certainly isn’t going to reorganize people’s relationship to the means of production), finding ways to safely come together while making any difference is a welcome development.
Conclusion
Today, we are constantly bombarded with divisive crap intended to depress and even harm us. But taking the time to recognize the simplest of moments and traditions can help remind us of our shared humanity.
Halloween, in all its theatricality and innocent joy, is a testament to this. It's a time when communities, despite their differences, come together in the spirit of celebration and generosity. From the enthusiastic homeowner dressing up their house to the parent ensuring their child's first trick-or-treat experience is memorable, there's a genuine desire to bring joy.
This is the beginning of the time of year when friends and family matter most – when people begin espousing the values of gratitude and giving. While I will certainly write some kind of scathing critique of something in the coming weeks, I will also be reminding myself that there is a lot of good in this wonderful world. Happy Halloween.