Opinion by Audrey McDonald Atkins: After two pandemic years, ‘Folly chasing Death’ takes on a new Mardi Gras meaninghttps://t.co/iQlxU5x1U8
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 28, 2022
When Mardi Gras was first codified into the European (Christian) calendar, this was a fraught season. Those who’d survived the worst of winter, after being forcibly isolated in small groups for weeks or months, were scraping the back of the larder and watching the carefully nurtured livestock required for future survival perish from poor sustenance and close crowding. Improving weather and more daylight meant everyone could look around, and see which of their neighbors had somehow done better during the Long Dark than seemed fair… or that the next settlement / village / barony over had suffered so badly that an enterprising freebooter might be able to annex the remnants without risking too much.
It was very much to the good of the general welfare if “everyone”, as codified by social custom and the Holy Mother Church, could agree that Lent should be a time of mutual self-mortification and public piety. Rich foods were therefore forbidden, as was making war on one’s (Christian) neighbors, for the entire 40 days. Shrove Tuesday was a last happy communal event, meant to seal the compact against public display and strife during a period when temptation was very real, and very strong…
======
The White House says Jill Biden wore this mask with a sunflower today to show support for the Ukrainian people. It's the national flower of Ukraine and has become a symbol of resistance to Russian invasion pic.twitter.com/YUUlzo4eTm
— Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) February 28, 2022
Tomorrow at 9 PM ET, @POTUS will speak directly to the American people about the historic progress we've made, the work that lies ahead, and his optimism for the future.
Watch the State of the Union live on @WhiteHouse and @POTUS social media or visit https://t.co/NBwmb75mb3.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2022
Tuesday Morning Open Thread: Mardi Gras, And What Comes AfterPost + Comments (256)