by Luanne Cathey, Hamilton
Last year, Americans spent nearly $3 billion on pyrotechnics in celebrations of the Fourth of July. We learned that here in Hamilton, they are hoping to raise nearly $30K to host their annual explosive event! It’s tradition! It’s what we’ve always done. Three billion dollars is Big Business!
Somehow, in the course of time, our culture has normalized exploding things as a form of celebration. Our National Anthem even enshrines it with, “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air!,” the bedrock of American pride in our country – our United States. I hope we will be able to celebrate our unity for many years to come. But HOW we celebrate is what I would like us to consider. Is the value of spending $3 billion worth the cost to those who are harmed by this cultural phenomenon? And is it the only – or best – way to celebrate?
I am not one who enjoys this preoccupation with explosives. The light hurts my eyes, and my hearing aids are really sensitive to the bangs. I would like to opt out of this particular experience, but there is NO WAY, I have NO CHOICE, no right to not hear! I can close all my windows and doors and still not be allowed to not partake of an activity that hurts me and the animals I shelter.
My dogs hide under the bed in fear. I’ve seen others who got loose, running on the street who don’t know where to go with the explosions everywhere around. It makes me wonder where the deer, moose, and other wild animals who we share living space with, run to find safety, when the world around them is exploding. Many other living beings are affected and would also opt out if they had a chance. The raccoons, squirrels and rabbits can hide in burrows, but what about the birds? It’s certainly not safe for them to fly, but to stay put allows lighted debris to rain down on them. The birds have such sensitive hearing, and that noise is deafening!
I love the animals and love to spend time with my dogs, sitting by the river, playing my flute and singing to them. The birds and critters know me now, and often, they sing along with me! I wish I knew how to warn them about this harsh time coming, and help them find a way to endure this week of explosions all around – most particularly, on that one night.
A friend of mine who is a veteran of the Afghanistan war told me he ends up in a fetal position on the floor of his bedroom, with those bombs bursting in air all around him. It can be a very difficult time for people who have experienced the ravages of war – not only veterans with PTSD, but refugees as well. And old people! Many old people, like myself, would opt out if we only could!
The only thing I could think of – if we were to consider another way of celebrating – would need to come from us actually caring about the way others are affected by our culturally acceptable way of celebrating. Can we care about those who are harmed at our expense?
Buddhists have a philosophy of life similar to our “Golden Rule,” that strives to “Do No Harm” as we live our lives in harmony with life, nature, and the many “others” we share space with, and to care about the well-being of all. Isn’t the real idea of celebrating the 4th of July – our Independence Day, as ‘One Nation Under God, Indivisible’ – about embracing our family and friends, getting together for picnics, and treasuring what we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy? Could that be enough? Could we celebrate together and be happy – without the bombs bursting in air?
The animals who live among us, the elderly, our veterans, and those who are survivors of the effects of war, are affected by the way we celebrate with fireworks. Yet, this practice – which can be harmful even to those setting them off – has not been considered harmful to others. Yet there are victims everywhere, huddled in fear, and their voices never heard.
Wouldn’t it be great to repurpose that $3 billion into something helpful to people and the other-than-humans we share our home with? Could our local communities consider alternatives to spending these huge amounts of money in this way? What about community picnics, 3-legged and wheelbarrow races, egg-toss, dunk tank, family and friends coming together in fun and entertaining ways? Could it possibly be enough?
Massachusetts is the first state to ban fireworks altogether. Other states have banned the aerial displays, and some only allow hand-held sparklers. Could our compassion lead us into something new, that would be respectful of all life?
I think it is something worth thinking about!
Helen Sabin says
LUANNE – get a pair of earbuds that shut off sound. If you need a pair try the senior center in corvallis. Put a heavy towel around your doggies when the noise goes off and sit with them. Problem solved.
Ruth Schwartz says
HELEN – I think perhaps you missed the point of the opinion that Luanne shared. It just isn’t a simple solution of earbuds and towels. Luanne posed the idea of finding a less invasive, expensive and disruptive way of celebrating our country. I understand that you can’t please all of the people all of the time, but that doesn’t give others the right to adversely impact their neighbors. I for one would love to see fireworks banned in the town of Stevensville. I am very concerned about the potential for injury and accidents resulting from the uncontrolled use of explosive materials in our neighborhoods. I am resentful that I need to leave my home to avoid traumatizing my dog. And I dislike having to clean up the remnants found in my yard for weeks. Our sweet little town has developed some great community celebrations, so perhaps we could find a more pleasant way to celebrate Independence Day that is safer, and allows for people to “opt out” should they choose to.