by Emilio Menotti and Chris Lewis
Fireworks have always been an integral part of our community. When the 4th of July comes around, you can always expect to see glimmering lights illuminating the sky with popping noises in the distance. While fireworks have played a role in strengthening our community, they equally play a significant role in sustaining it.
The sale of fireworks has had a prominent role in maintaining under-resourced activities at James Logan. Dozz Manuel, a senior on the wrestling team, elaborated.
“The fireworks booth our team sets up in July has been a great way to raise funds,” Manuel said. “Lots of the money raised is used for helping under-resourced teammates pay travel fees and tournament fees. I don’t know how we would function without it.”
Along with wrestling, the sale has supported the school’s forensics team for years. Justin Kurup, the co-director of the historic speech and debate team at James Logan, explains, “Without a doubt, the sale of fireworks keeps this team afloat. The team gets upwards of 30-65 thousand dollars a year from it.”
Despite the overwhelming economic benefits the sale of fireworks has on programs at our school, state legislatures are advocating for the ban of fireworks sales. Due to potential risks of wildfires occurring, increased momentum is garnering around the prohibition. In Union City, numerous attempts have been made by local lawmakers to enforce a ban. This year new fines on illegal fireworks will be passed. And unfortunately, this will also apply to the fireworks sold at Logan sanctioned booths.
Isha Bhasin, an officer on the Forensics Team explains, “I’ve been super anxious watching the news about fireworks. Many programs at our school are afraid because they see their only source of income coming under fire. It’s just really sad that we are in a situation like this in the first place.”
Many in our community have started to question the supposed solutions. While government officials see it as an opportunity to regulate harmful activities, others see it as more fuel added to the flame. Jayden Stewart, a student at James logan argues, “I don’t think the ban of fireworks will solve the problem. Most of the fireworks you hear making big noises are illegally bought. If anything, I think there would probably be an increase in disturbance because people would just buy illegal fireworks. In the end, I think the banning of fireworks does more harm to the community than it attempts to solve.”
