News Worth Knowing #6

What is too much when it comes to kids and Halloween?
Some school boards across B.C. are banning certain costume ideas to be worn at school. If any ONE person complains to the school board and says they are offended by a particular costume or Halloween idea, then the costume/idea would be banned from being brought to school.


As I've grown older from my childhood into young adulthood, I've noticed how increasingly dull holiday events have gotten over the years compared to how they used to feel in my elementary school years. But this year I thought I'd try to enjoy myself a little more by going out in a Halloween costume for old time's sake unlike last year when I just stayed home and gave out candy to the kids.

I had this one costume idea that I've always dreamed of doing for the past three years but I never got around to building it because I didn't know where or how nor the time and money in order to get all things I needed to complete it. That, and another issue. A moral issue. Even so, this year I decided I wouldn't bother taking into consideration of the so called 'immorality' of my costume idea. I had just turned 16 and was convinced -- and still am -- that I am now at an age where I can start to make major decisions in my life by myself, and for myself. And if there be consequences as a result of the choices I make then so be it; I'll stand up and face them maturely. If some people consequently find my costume 'offensive,' then perhaps those people should take into consideration of sticking their nose into a history book before forming an opinion derived by what they see in the media and pop culture.

With all this in mind and Halloween being just less than a month away (my birthday is September 30th), I was determined to go through with my costume idea. So nearly everyday when I got home from school I'd hop on the computer and browse eBay and other retail sites looking for specific items and clothing for sale that my costume needed. And as I was doing this I felt that spark of joy and excitement from my childhood flaring inside me once again. Then my dad sees what I'm doing and he gives me all these reasonable explanations for why it's a bad idea, that people will percieve it wrongly and make threats against me and the family. So once again in my life, I can't do something I want to do because of a few ignorant people.

Dreams crushed yet again.