There is probably someone working on them right now. Tirelesslyprobing chicken wire (p.c. termed “poultry fencing” atHome Depot) with thin multi-colored tissue. Their fingers ache, asthey toil away at the unique art of “pumping” orbuilding the huge, colorful floats for the Homecoming parade.
Who started this float thing anyway, and how logical is it?
I’m sure there are many ways to express school spirit inregards to Homecoming. Picking Kings and queens are always fun.Going to the football game, or meeting alumni on the Boulevardexpresses your loyalty to team, school and tradition. Studentscould cover their torsos in body paint if they are in thedecorative mood. And yes, we could even have a parade with carsthat are painted, a band that is marching, groups waving flags andsporting their jerseys.
But is the float thing really necessary? Why all the”pumping”?
It’s certain someone will say something like, “Butit’s pretty. That’s how floats are made, andthat’s how we’ve always done it.” You know, thetypical but not entirely valid explanations.
How much tissue do we waste? How many hours of student’stime? I know these people choose to be there, but they also have anobligation to their organization, and probably have a rush chair oran organization officer on their ass.
Where are the tree-huggers to complain about the superfluouswaste of time, money and resources to give the pumped paradedpuppets half an hour of glory before they are left to deteriorateinto wasteful shambles.
Perhaps an organization should work as a catalyst for change. Atleast one group on campus should march in the place of its floatwith a sign that has the cash amount spent on the previousyear’s float and the name of a local charity. Having matchedthe figure in their donation, they could proudly march as a groupinspired by a cause and determined to do something for the benefitof our Dallas community.
Moreover, a donation requires a few phone calls, moneyexchanged, and bam … you’ve made a difference. It mightsound like a good idea to you, but to the loads of dedicatedstudents cramped into the basement of Dedman center, it sounds likea nice break.
