Watching a herd of people on my roof watch fireworks through their cell phones immediately reminded me of this scene in Fandango. Though not technically dystopian, we might do well to remember that some of our parents may not enjoy a celebration involving loud, colorful explosions. This film follows a group of kids taking a road trip across the country before shipping off to Vietnam. (NOTE: A recent viewing of this film reminded us that it has some deeply problematic scenes.)
I would have been drafted had I been born on the same day but the year of my father’s birth. He watched the draft with several neighborhood kids huddled around a boxy television. During my lifetime, I have only seen groups of draft-age children stare at a television with that intensity when sports and binge drinking were involved.
The next time you are tempted to yell at a distant athlete through a one-way flatscreen, pretend your friend’s life is in the balance. Then remember how lucky we are that we can pretend. Also, maybe call your parents if you can and tell them that you love them.
Curious what your draft number would have been?