By Crae Walker, Staff Writer
We all know the brand of ‘V-Daying.’ Store shelves lined with pink and red, chocolates available at every store for as far as the eye can see, some single folks even buying chocolates just for the sales. And for what?
On this day, we buy these things for our loved ones, but what is the point when we don’t even know who this holiday is named after.
That dilemma is currently a toss-up between three different Saint Valentines, two of which could’ve been the same, but we don’t even know that much.
Valentine’s Day is the celebration of capitalizing love — and here are some of its greatest flaws.
Though not everyone hates Valentines Day, there is a large group for which it is annoying at best and awful at worst.
Tracing its roots all the way back to the roman festival Lupercalia, the day of love’s ‘humble beginnings’ was celebrated by bidding women off to male suitors. The holiday as we know it now is a bit different, and really hit its stride in the 1700s’ when the gifts we give first became commercialized.
As of 2018, 63 percent of America was legally single. Having a holiday that isolates most of the population is moronic– it’s just a marketing ploy. There is no reason to include a couple-themed calendar-date.
Partners can show affection any time they want, within social norms, that is. The only reason to show affection in the middle of February specifically would be to correlate with birds mating.
Well… except for the numbers.
In the United States alone, Valentines Day is expected to rake in 27.4 billion dollars in revenue.
That is a lot of chocolate — and a capitalistic dream for most businesses.
Couples can buy each other little knick knacks and sweets, single people can buy plenty of chocolates to eat away their sadness, and those who cave to the social pressure of having a Valentine can take their pick from a wide selection of trashy dating apps. That’s the crux of the issue with this holiday.
It’s a by-product of our grossly capitalistic economy that intends to make money on the insecurities and prideful nature of humanity.
But honestly, so are most holiday traditions at this point
It is slap in the face to those who are ‘living the single life’ (lonely), and the ultimate embodiment of isolationism for profit. So next time you celebrate this holiday, celebrate it for what it truly is. A new way to make money, in the capitalist cesspool we call home.
Junior Crae Walker can be reached at [email protected].
