Staff Reports
It's that time of year again. Rainbow flags, parades, and corporate logos slathered in vibrant colors signal the arrival of Pride Month. But amidst all the celebrations, it begs the question: why does one of the seven deadly sins get its own month of recognition?
Pride, as defined traditionally, is an excessive view of oneself without regard for others. It's listed first among the seven deadly sins, considered the root of all evil and the beginning of sin. For centuries, pride was seen as a vice, something to be wary of, not celebrated. Fast forward to today, and Pride Month is a global phenomenon with its roots in the LGBTQ+ community's fight for rights and acceptance. But has the pendulum swung too far?
Sure, the original intent behind Pride Month was to commemorate the Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It was about visibility, demanding equality, and resisting discrimination. But somewhere along the line, it seems to have morphed into a celebration of pride itself, not just the achievements of the community. In this transformation, one has to wonder if the focus on pride has overshadowed the more noble goals of acceptance and equality.
The irony is thick. In a society that often decries any display of pride as arrogant or self-serving, we now have a whole month dedicated to it. It's not just the LGBTQ+ community; companies and public figures jump on the bandwagon, turning what could be a meaningful acknowledgment of progress into a commercialized spectacle. It's as if we've forgotten the lessons of humility and respect for others in favor of a flashy display of self-importance.
Critics argue that Pride Month has lost its way, becoming less about the struggle for rights and more about an unrestrained celebration of identity. Instead of fostering genuine understanding and inclusivity, it can sometimes feel like an obligatory display of virtue signaling. Corporations deck out their logos in rainbow colors for thirty days, then return to business as usual, often failing to support the community in meaningful ways the rest of the year.
