Experiencing Halloween and the 2024 presidential election at the same time has been interesting, to say the least. At first, signs and decorations screamed for Halloween. The combination of fun and scary decorations in yards and on porches makes driving around the neighborhood memorable. I loved watching all of this develop. One house added skeletons to their Halloween decor on an almost daily basis. There were skeletons mowing the lawn, hanging from the roof, climbing the garage, and sitting at a table on the lawn having a drink. I giggled, but not for long. With Election Day quickly approaching, political signs began to proliferate.
Seeing skeletons mix with Trump and Harris flags is more than mind-boggling. It’s hard to know whether to laugh or cringe when you drive by yard signs for the presidential candidates nestled among pumpkins with scary faces. You have to wonder what it’s like when one neighbor puts up a Trump sign next to inflatable devils and another flies a Harris flag amid fake gravestones. Divisive doesn’t begin to describe the effect of these peculiar combinations across the community.
And talking about peculiar, while on my way home recently, I spied a huge sign at a sex shop that had me doubled over in laughter: “Trump can take a shift here, too.” I never paid much attention to the shop, but the owners made sure that sign was clear for all to see. Good thing I wasn’t driving, or I’d have crashed the car. I asked a store clerk, “What were you thinking?” Apparently, this was just a Halloween joke. “It’s funny, not political. You know, kinda like serving fries at McDonald’s.”
For now, Halloween’s humor has outdone attempts to frighten despite the political headlines: There’s Boo in the Zoo, Spooky Skate, Haunted Market, Gravediggers’ Ball, and Devil’s Night. But as Halloween fades, fear generated by events such as the campaign event at Madison Square Garden is outweighing any attempts at humor and good-hearted holiday fun.
Behind-the-scenes emotions are intense; many are remaining silent. But fear is palpable. I have relatives who are quietly exploring moving to another country, depending on the outcome of the election. They say little about it, afraid of backlash. Other family members will no longer post on their social network pages for the same reason. They secretly share their fears with me, looking for comfort. And it’s not just family who are doing this.
A medical technician asked to speak to me privately. He shut the door behind him and proceeded to bounce off the walls. “What is this country coming to? How will we deal with the likely post-election mess?” An old friend had the same questions in a phone call he asked me to keep private. And a department store clerk took me aside and whispered these questions into my ear before shaking her head and turning away.
I’m honored that folks are sharing their feelings with me. I wish there were answers to their questions that would ease their minds. But if there are any answers at all, they escape me, as they do lots of others. So that’s why I say, “You are not alone.”
It’s a troubling time, seemingly chaotic, for us all. I hope it’s true that the most creative place in the universe is at the edge of chaos. Maybe we can come together to create solutions, find comfort and begin to reshape the future. Please do spend time thinking creatively about what comes next. And share what you come up with. We’re listening!
Contact Deborah Levine, an author, trainer/coach and editor of the American Diversity Report, at Deborah@AmericanDiversityReport.com.