The critics of Valentine's Day make claims that the holiday is too
sappy, too hyped-up and too commercialized. In fact, I think there's
a lot of truth to these claims. During the last week, I have seen
commercials on TV to buy jewelry and candy. There was even a
particularly annoying one about a stuffed bear. Even my own
department is trying to capitalize on Valentine's Day by selling
flowers, chocolate and materials engineering mugs (an odd gift idea.)
The funny thing is people actually listen to these advertisements.
People actually buy tons of Valentine's Day cards, flowers and
materials engineering mugs to give to their special someone. I'm
convinced that couples actually have fun spending outrageous sums of
money trying to impress one another and enjoy every second doing it.
If two people are in relationship, it's nearly impossible to ruin
Valentine's Day for them.
No, the real critics of Valentine's Day don't hate Feb. 14 because of
its commercialistic nature; they hate it because they're single. I
don't blame these singles (I am also single). These singles are
merely expressing their depression about their current relationship
status or rather, lack thereof. However, instead of becoming
depressed on Valentine's Day, singles should use the holiday as an
opportunity to create new relationships. Valentine's Day gives
singles an opportunity to go outside of the comfort zone for a day and
take a risk. On Valentine's Day it's perfectly ok to give a gift to
that someone you have a crush on and express those feelings that are
bottled up inside without feeling awkward.
Valentine's Day, should change its focus and help those among the
lonely single masses to reach out to others in the same predicament.
To make Valentine's Day a better day for singles, the Cal Poly
College Republicans (CPCR) have decided to hold a speed dating event.
It seems kind of odd that the CPCR are doing this, but consider this:
Speed dating was actually proposed and rejected as an event in Cerro
Vista. According to several students planning the speed dating event,
the idea was rejected, because it discriminates against gays and those
already in relationships. According to Assistant Director for
Residential Life and Education Suzanne Fritz, activities like speed
dating violate the principle of inclusiveness (it does not include
those in long-standing relationships or students that are gay,
lesbian, bisexual or transgender) and there are concerns for safety
(the activity may pressure people to be more physical than is
comfortable).
I honestly doubt that all of those in the above mentioned group would
feel offended by speed dating, although I admit, I don't know for
certain. However, I bet most students would enjoy speed dating, and
those who don't would at the very least allow others to pursue the
activity without being too offended. Unfortunately like many places
in our society, the mere fear of discrimination or hurting the
feelings of a particular group has ruined the fun for all. Instead of
allowing a chance for singles to meet for friendships to form and for
relationships to blossom, a small amount of fear has ripped that away.
Applying Cerro Vista's logic, they also need to ban the following:
Any form of dancing (offensive to people of particular religions),
karaoke (offensive to those who can't sing or can't stand amateurs
singing) and pumpkin decorating (offensive to the CSAPD College
Students Against Pumpkin Decorating, alright that's not a group, but
you get the idea.) The CPCRs like to offend and discriminate at any
opportunity, so it's obvious why they're holding a speed dating event.
I hope that sometime in the future, Valentine's Day will give more
focus to singles. I also hope that when our society attempts to
appeal to a particular minority group, it doesn't compromise the
well-being of everyone else in the same society. In the meantime, if
you're single and crazy enough to try speed dating with CPCR, then
come to UU219 at around 8 p.m. tonight. I wish all of you singles
and couples out there a very wonderful Valentine's Day.
Brian Eller is a materials engineering sophomore and Mustang Daily columnist.