After the events of September 11, American culture has reacted by re-affirming the solidarity of the nation against foreign threats. If the nation was being forgotten because of an increasingly globalized world, the nation was remembered once again as the events of September 11 unfolded.

Halloween reassessed

Did you know that even Halloween was reconsidered in the context of the events that took place on 9/11? When the world recoiled at the violence and carnage that took place on that day, people thought that celebrations should necessarily reflect the losses that took place during that sad day.

Soon people treated Halloween in much the same way as Christians celebrated the day that closely followed it — All Souls’ Day. People began to reflect on life and remember their departed loved ones, a swift 180-degree turn from the corporatist image that Halloween had been getting.

The Past

When we listen to Halloween scholars and historians, we’ll learn that Halloween never revolved around candy and costume parties and booze. Halloween was one of the seasons most representative of human emotion — something quite lost in society today.

Halloween was originally a celebration of life. By remembering and paying respects to those that have passed away, Halloween acted as that small hill where people could congregate and look at the past. By remember and understanding the past, people could confidently expect continuity.

Continuity

The future is an important theme for Halloween, even if not many people are aware of it. There’s the important idea that death isn’t the end of things — it’s only one point in a never-ending process.

When people appreciate death, they also begin to appreciate life even more than before. Life doesn’t end with death — if it did, then there wouldn’t be any need for tombs and memorials. Celebrating the fact that life goes on is done by thinking about what happens after death. Knowing that there’s an eternity waiting for everyone after death can make an intuitive person richer and more hopeful.

Dia de los Muertos

A festival of mourning may seem absurd to some. However, in some cultures and religions outside of America, death is something that is revered. It is part of tradition. Strict rituals and ceremonies are passed on from generation to generation.

In Rio Grande, the Dia de los Muertos was an official time of mourning. It was a time when people were actually interested in revisiting the memories of those what were no longer there with them. It is interesting to note, because when something unbelievably horrible or tragic happens, we often look inward and outward for answers.

After the 9/11 attacks, some Americans chose to look outward to answer their disbelief. This is mainly due to the fact that Corporate America seemed to have forgotten and disassociated itself from such tragic and horrible events.

Will Halloween ever be known as something more than just a superficial celebration? Will it ever enjoy the deeper and richer meaning it used to have before getting turned into a largely commercial event?

It’s possible to change Halloween into something more profound, even if it will take some time. But when the day comes, we can finally enjoy Halloween the way it was truly meant to be enjoyed.