We lived briefly in a small town in the Appalaichan foothills. Economy was based in strip mining and clearcutting, and there was a very violent undertone -- sometimes outright overt -- in the culture there. Physical abuse was common, also littering and all-around disregard for nature, out of touch with natural rhythms, etc., huge gap between haves/have-nots, extreme racism (KKK was still alive and quite well there, monthly rallies, newsletters on every doorstep, I never knew if it was a threat or an invitation from someone I knew) and not surprisingly, a LOT of poverty.
On Halloween, we had probably a dozen families who must have come out of the hills, 6-8-9 people crammed into one car, no costumes, no trick-or-treat, no hello and no thank you. All ages and all generations, including Granny without her teeth, tumbled out of the cars, and each member of every family came to the door holding a ratty bag for candy. We had to make three runs to the grocery store for more candy before it finally ended. These people looked poor enough that they were hungry, like modern-day subjects for Walker Evans type photos.
Wondering if poverty had anything to do with the scary trick or treaters this year. If not, I think being prepared to scare threatening tricksters sounds like a great way to get into the Halloween spirit!
On Halloween, we had probably a dozen families who must have come out of the hills, 6-8-9 people crammed into one car, no costumes, no trick-or-treat, no hello and no thank you. All ages and all generations, including Granny without her teeth, tumbled out of the cars, and each member of every family came to the door holding a ratty bag for candy. We had to make three runs to the grocery store for more candy before it finally ended. These people looked poor enough that they were hungry, like modern-day subjects for Walker Evans type photos.
Wondering if poverty had anything to do with the scary trick or treaters this year. If not, I think being prepared to scare threatening tricksters sounds like a great way to get into the Halloween spirit!
I just wish they wouldn't use a king-size pillow case for their trick or treat bag
