A new year has started, even more so, a new decade has started! We are once again entering the 20s. If these will be filled with jazz and parties like the ones a hundred years ago will be rather unlikely, but one thing is sure, like every year, this decade was embraced ‘warmly’ with a a lot of fireworks and with it a lot of injuries.

I never understand why such a dangerous and polluting thing as fireworks is still tolerated. In the Netherlands an entire building has been burnt down this year; how is that a good start of th year? I have never liked, and have always been scared of fireworks, but as a lot of people shout this time a year: it is tradition! As I come from the Netherlands I know the case in the Netherlands and am unsure how it is for other countries, but Dutch people cling on  to their traditions as if they are their newborn babies. This is not only visible when the discussion of fireworks pops up, but also around the fifth of December, when the discussion surrounding ‘black pete’ arises and captures the entire country. It seems as if inflexibility lies in the nature of the Dutch. If ‘black pete’ is hurting some people than why can’t we change it? I, as a white person, have nothing to say about the feelings of a person of colour, and if I am doing something that is hurtful than why shouldn’t I change it? The alternative is more logical and does not inconvenience me anyway. Now, a day that is meant to be wholesome and peaceful is dominated by violent protest, because people cannot accept that sometimes, traditions change.

The same is true for fireworks. It has become more than clear that people are not careful with them. How much more do we need to illegalize it? It is not as if fireworks will disappear completely, but we can utilize the Australian idea, and host a firework show. (Although I find it peculiar that even though the entire countries’ bushes are filled with a raging fire, they still continue with this firework show, but I guess the tradition is also in Australia too important to ignore.)

I have often heard people say that even when you illegalize fireworks they will still exist and although I do not disagree with that statement it is important to speak about the scale  of it all. If we illegalize fireworks, the amount of people hurt from said fireworks will be a lot less and if someone uses fireworks and is hurt by it, they can be punished and understand the consequences of possessing fireworks. If anything, it is a way to cash some extra money by fining the people who do have and light firework. The current discussion and the shifting opinion of many politicians obviously illustrates that the matter is moving into the right direction, however, I fail to understand why everyone is so hestitant. Perhaps I am being unempathetic because I do not like fireworks myself, but I do not understand who can still oppose the illegalization of them. Especially if the only argument is that it is tradition as it a Chinese tradition to scare away evil spirits. The Dutch do not even share the same New Year’s as the Chinese and they are not a particulary spiritual nation.

Sadly, I do not think that 2021 will be introduced in a different manner than 2020, but one can hope. (Because I am also so done with the fireworks that sound like bombs going of in my neighbourhood all year around at three in the morning)

Happy new year! Happy new decade!

Of to a rusty start.