In light of my recent tribute to people setting off illegal fireworks--a query:
Is passion for illegal fireworks a class issue?
That is, the skies above Rankin and Braddock and Homewood and Swissvale are thick with rockets. Is the same true in Shadyside? Mt. Lebanon? I have been privy to some pretty high-end neighborhoods over the years--at least as a visitor. And I cannot recall the same single-minded dedication to home pyrotechnics.
Does my experience hold true? Do working-class people have a disproportionate desire to set the sky afire? If so, why? Or is it perhaps that they are just more likely to disregard these kinds of statutes?
Even if that is the case, is that disregard due to some kind of predisposition, or different expectations about enforcement in high-end neighborhoods? Different concerns about offending high-end neighbors? A general distaste for racket and other forms of disorder? Different standards for safety?
Or do high-end people just not like fireworks as much?
Or am I wrong? Is Mt. Lebo just like Swissvale?
Just wondering.
Mt. Lebo had quite a few booms and shakalakalakas. Wasn't outside so I didn't see too much overhead, though I heard a few starburst type rounds. It may be that the low frequency boomers are harder to localize and hence preferred over the starburst rounds in the richer areas. Draws fewer cops with time on their hands.
Posted by: Not Today | July 05, 2006 at 08:43 AM
Face it being rich is a huge hardship and a drag. Please send me your money. I want to help.
Posted by: John Morris | July 15, 2006 at 03:06 PM