To “V” or Not to “V” ?

It’s about that time of the year again. Hearts on every window, teddy bears and chocolates on the shelves of stores, love songs on the airwaves. And the pink; so much pink everywhere. Valentine’s day, whilst not an official holiday, is as recognizable as Jesus’ birthday in both sights and sounds.

I wasn’t always an anti-Valentine. I am a romantic by nature, and once upon a time I was a stickler for the rose-giving shenanigans of Cupid’s day. These days though, I’ve joined the Valentine’s haters bandwagon. I’ve told myself this is because of the whole commercialized mess this day of love has become, but I must admit it may also be a case of the fox and the sour grapes, as I have been free, single and disengaged for a long time; and historically, persons of the female persuasion have not been too kind to me on this suckiest of sucky days. One thing’s for sure, though; the Valentine’s day/ anti-Valentine’s day debate is indeed an interesting one, so much so that I decided to investigate what some people around my campus had to say on this issue.

A lot of people don’t believe in designating one single day for their other halves (oh, what a unique and interesting viewpoint, says Mattieu sarcastically to himself). “Even when I had a boyfriend, we didn’t celebrate Valentine’s day,” said a girl in my class (who, btw, was hot like piss), “I don’t really care for the day”. She did say however that she had always missed out on Valentine’s Day when she was younger, and added that “Valentine’s day makes single people feel like shit”. Another girl said she has never celebrated Valentine’s Day, arguing that the day is “too commercialized”. She never had overt celebrations with her man, although, according to her, “It is understandable why some people celebrate the special day”. One dude confirmed a lot of the sentiments all too familiar to the anti-Vday posse: “It is disgusting, corny, cliché and commercialized. I think we should show love every day”, said the dude, who is single. Asked if his sentiments would be different if he had a girlfriend, he grinningly replied, “Still won’t celebrate Valentine’s day. I would satisfy her every day so she wouldn’t need special love on Valentine’s day.” I'd certainly hope so.

This one fellow, trying to sound all philosophical n shit, made it clear to me that although he does have plans with his girlfriend for V-day, doesn’t mean that he doesn’t show her love all year round. “Valentine’s day is not special, because I always make plans with my girlfriend; one should ensure this to ensure a healthy relationship,” said young Socrates. He also pointed out how difficult the day could be for singles. “I think it’s a really depressing day to be single,” he said, “especially romantics. Like any holiday, if you don’t have anyone to spend it with, that can be very sad.” (although his V-day probably wont be sad, he has a hot Bajan girlfriend). And oh, wait....I can't even count how many people were advocating for February 14th to be declared "Singles Awareness Day" (well maybe I can count, but I won't, its a lot). Oh how I sympathize with you, fellow lonely souls; I am sure, however, that 99% of you would think differently if you actually had someone to spend valentine's day with.

But there was invariably a multitude of peeps who were kool with V-day. This guy gave me some long spiel about how we have different days to celebrate different things, so its only right that we have a day to celebrate love, bleh bleh bleh, you get it....another girl said V-day is so romantic and single people who bitch about it are "just f%$king jealous"....one dude even said, and I quote, "V-day should stand for Vagina day, 'cause thats what its all about for me !!". (I'm pretty sure Feb 14 is the day he prays the hardest that he finally gets to see a vagina other than the one he sees in the mirror every morning).

So what did all this male-cow feces teach me? A couple of things. Firstly, its easy to support Vday when you always have someone to celebrate it with; and by the same token, its pretty shitty to suck salt by yourself amidst all the cuddling and making out of this day. Secondly, and most importantly, the reason why I hate the day is NOT because im single, or because of the cliche; its that romance seems to have lost all the creativity and spontaneity that made it such a glorious thing, and this is exemplified by what this day has become. People go like mindless sheep buying roses and cards and conforming to rigid social norms on this day, and so partaking of the festivities is more like a weird social must rather than as a sincere gesture of caring. But despite saying this, I insist that I am not a hater, but indeed I am a lover (pardon the cheesy line, but it fits here so whatever). And while I would forever advocate showing love all year round, I also see the potential token value of having a special day set aside for love (after all, human civilization is hinged on social tradition). I just plead to all of you love birds out there, don't get sucked into the vortex of zombified consumerism that has come to embody February 14th; make sure that when you partake of Valentine's day, you really truly partake of it from the heart, and make Cupid really proud...and...ok, here it comes....HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, regardless.....

....Professor out....