HOLIDAYS Holidays are disorderly Lord of misrule take a low person in society flipping everything upside down Guys fawkes gunpowder plot restore catholicism burning the effigy sing anti catholic songs Early american christmas rowdy time young men would pound on door ask for favor adult beverage money to go away refuse they would vandalize house Early christmas was a riot St Patrick s day attacking the police Halloween 1 of the most dangerous days of the year for children a time for vandalism always boys no girls always celebrated in diverse ways bob for apples sometimes scary woman would look in the mirror see who she would marry goes from vandalism to child centered trick or treating also for young adults parties rowdy more traditional new halloween is for little kids tried to lessen vandalism store bought equipment costumes 2 holiday for business Halloween being scary halloween sadism burn pennies in skillet then drop pennies into the children legend about the man with the hook on lovers lane world is a dangerous Ronald O Bryan convicted executed for killing his son with a poisoned pixie stick razorblades in apples poison sharp objects usually understood as contemporary legend person telling story believes it s true people listening believe it s true place you can t be too careful trick or treating at the mall trunk or treating tried convicted executed Devil s Night in Detroit Camden abandoned houses are set on fire Origins of Trick or Treat you re going to give me a treat or I will play a trick on you DOMESTICATING HOLIDAYS BY INVENTING TRADITIONS Christmas became more family oriented holiday for children tradition has been around for less than 200 years went from disorderly to calm children oriented Thomas Nast s 19th century Santa Claus based on the night before christmas Mummers domesticating riots Philadelphia Diversity Hanukkah Bush rival non christian tradition invented by the black americans Kwanzaa Labor Day promoted by labor unions union members march together celebration of working class now labor day is seen as a 3 day weekend 4th of July patriotic holiday 18th century communal celebration speeches given original meaning of the holiday was lost Pulaski day Columbus Day Polish americans Italian americans Cinco de Mayo Mexican americans Gay pride day like an ethnic march want to be recognized Holidays are rowdy over time secular meanings run out new traditions are developed traditional meanings are lost
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