Valentine's Day and our sensitivity

Valentine's Day and our sensitivity

The celebration of the day filled with love and affection
known as Valentine's Day is an interesting point of discussion.
This Western tradition, which has been adopted by Eastern
nations, has been transformed into a lucrative market.

There is no ban on celebrating Valentine's Day in Indonesia,
and celebrating this day which commemorates love is natural.

Businessmen with sharp eyes can anticipate the demands within
the market, especially the demands for souvenirs from young
people.

Some people have cheerfully marked Valentine's Day, with
extravagant foods, and the presence of guests resplendent in
beautiful dresses.

The merriment effectively ignored other parts of the city,
where flood victims shivered in temporary shelters, badly in need
of foods and clothing.

This contrast has aroused our sensitivity.

Of course we do not want to disturb people's right to enjoy
their spare time.

We only wish to remind Jakarta citizens that their neighbors
desperately still need help. However, we feel relieved that
behind their festivities they have taken care over the flood
victims.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta