Syeda Rizvi

Against Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be a holiday. There’s no reason for people in love to flaunt their bliss in the faces of the less fortunate – or rather, the singles of the world.

I’m all for people falling in love but I don’t think that entitles them to have their own special day. Do single people have a Single’s Day? It’s already hard being lonely and being surrounded by plush hearts and valentines for an entire month doesn’t make it any easier. It’s not like having a designated day for love will increase the affection that two people feel for each other.  

Holidays should be reserved for days that actually matter. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veteran’s Day represent the heroes of our country who deserve credit and recognition for their impactful actions. Trying to lump Valentine’s Day into that category is absurd.

No matter how much you believe in it, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have magical powers. Chocolate and flowers don’t abruptly change or sustain relationships, so why do we need to spread them around on a special day? Giving your significant other their favorite things on random days is much more powerful than designating a day to overwhelm them with expected presents.

Overall, Valentine’s Day is just an excuse for companies to rob their customers by forcing them to buy unnecessary paraphernalia. Think of how much food you could buy with the money you’re wasting on gifts for your boyfriend/girlfriend.

Yusra Waris

For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day doesn’t get the credit it rightfully deserves. This special day is merely viewed as a day of love rather than for the harmony it spreads worldwide.

Valentine’s Day is often defined by bright candy, sweet-scented flowers, and love. It is associated with the colors pink and red, and celebrated with cutouts of paper hearts. However, beneath the flood of valentine flowers, the unity that this holiday creates is often overlooked.

This great day of unity was born several centuries ago, Before Common Era (BCE), when a man, Saint Valentinus, gave his life, in exchange for the ability to unite people. Back then, the emperor of the land firmly forbade soldiers to marry, fearing the hindrance it had on their ability to fight. Even so, Saint Valentinus disobeyed the emperor, and married those soldiers, eventually getting caught and being executed.

Just like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Valentine’s Day involved a man who cried for justice and fought for it. It may not have impacted our world as other holidays did, but this celebration has a special meaning to many in more ways than one. To some, this day acts as a boost of courage for them to express their feelings. For others, as an inspiration to one day find someone to call theirs.

It is essential for society to take its noses out of flower bouquets and see the meaning beyond cheesy cards. This holiday can be spent spoiling not only your significant other, but also your children, friends and family. It gives people the chance to warm up after the cold winter months and spend the day appreciating the love they receive. Unlike other holidays, Valentine’s Day allows the whole world to come together and appreciate something that we all unconsciously want to achieve: love.