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Valentine’s Day: not just a day for two |
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Tuesday, 13 February 2007 |
by REBECCA GARDNER
Lifestyles Reporter
Where is the love? Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Some love it, and some hate it, but there is always something to do for everyone -- even if you are single.
Sarah E. Jones, a junior special education major, decided to throw a slumber party for her friends on Valentine’s Day.
“The
little party I am throwing is less Anti-Valentine’s Day and more, why
can’t people do lovely things for their friends year round?” Jones said.
Even though the party is a few days after Valentine’s Day, Jones said
she will supply paper, markers, oil pastels and crayons at the party so
she and her friends can make Valentine’s Day cards.
“I did invite friends who are currently in relationships. And just
because a person isn’t single doesn’t mean they can’t feel generally
disgusted with Valentine’s Day,” Jones said. “It’s got so many
expectations attached to it when it’s really just another day.”
Other single students may choose to spend their time going out with their friends to dinner.
A few female residents from Lovill Residence Hall chose to go to the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center for dinner.
“It’s just a time to dress up with a bunch of your friends, go to
dinner, wear red and realize the love you have for your friends,
cherishing the moments you have with them,” Amber N. Whitley, a
sophomore history secondary education major, said.
Others believe the downfalls of Valentine’s Day center around society’s skewed view of love due to the media.
“[Valentine’s Day] is largely based around people’s inability to match
the media’s portrayal of love,” Patrick N. Mosley, a sophomore biology/
ecology and environmental biology major, said. “It’s a
self-depreciating holiday where people try desperately to find someone
and sexually attract them before the end of the day all in hopes of
meeting some social status quo that no one should be single on this
day.”
“Holidays like Valentine’s Day, which put such stress on the individual
to meet society’s standards, would seemingly encourage this attitude.
And taking into account that most media portrayals of the happy
Valentine’s Day couple are white, straight, middle-class pairs, the
holiday summarizes what oppression has been doing to us for years,”
Mosley said.
That is where “The Vagina Monologues” come into play.
All profits go directly to groups working to end violence against women.
Lovill’s Leadership and Service Learning Community is also planning a
service project for those who don’t have plans for Valentine’s Day.
“By doing this, our floor can spread Valentine’s Day love to elementary
school children,” M. Jonathan Jackson, junior health care management
major and Lovill third floor RA, said. “Our floor can live up to our
standards as the leadership and service floor; service is our goal, and
leadership is the byproduct.”
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