Halloween is supposed to be scary, and Ohio University treats it like a joke.
The year: 2011. The place: Ohio University, when I went out for my first Halloween. I was dressed in my vampire costume I got from Halloween City (closed since 2012) and I hit the streets.
Hiding behind bushes and street corners, I try to scare people. I see a group of people dressed like Pussycat Doll members and a guy wearing a football jersey (sidenote: what?). So, I think to myself, damn Michael, this is it. I put in my vampire teeth and cover my face with my pitch black cape.
As they approach, I appear. Like a spitting image of the count himself, I let out a loud “Bleeehhh!!!” Not my best, but it got the job done.
Unfortunately, they were too focused on the parties, bequeathing me with their judging eyes and their faux-nonchalant attitude. As they walked away I could hear them say “what a freak,” and “what a loser,” mixed with the clinking sound of five Michelob Ultras and a Smirnoff bottle that were surely inside the guy’s JanSport.
This made me start to hate Halloween.
Halloween here has turned into a drunken romp, and not at all what Halloween should be, a sober haunt. Don’t these kids realize that ghosts can spook you easier if you’re indisposed by alcohol?!
We need to stand up and say no and maybe boo to these notions of dressing as pop culture knockoffs and scantily clad anythings! This year I’m going as the grim reaper, my second year in a row, and I may just be so scary that I’ll change a few people’s minds.
Happy Spookin’ Bobcats.
Michael Robenalt is a junior studying video production.
