Every Saint Patrick's Day weekend in Chicago, the Chicago River turns green. The famous tradition started when Mayor Richard J. Daley held office. He originally wanted to dye the lake, but had to settle for the river. The dye is 100% environmentally safe but I would argue that dying the river is still perilous for the Chicago River.
A river of bright green water makes the Chicago River seem like something out of fantasy, it does not show the river for what it is: an ecosystem. The idea green water reenforces is that the only relation between living organisms and the water is the waste that humans dump into it. What a lot of city residents don't realize is that there is life in the Chicago River, and despite the green dye not being dangerous it puts citizens of Chicago in a dangerous mindset.
Along withe green dye, trash gets thrown into the Chicago River. The majority of life in the river was killed when the direction of the flow was changed, and when the river pollution was at its peak. Since then the river has become clean enough to be home to beavers and even some rumored otters. The river dying is a great tradition but it is important to remember that there is life in the river, no matter what color it is.
I agree that people should consider the environment when dying the river. Although the dye is supposedly 100% environmentally safe, I think that it's safe to say that it'd be better for the environment if there wasn't any dye in the water. While it is a fun tradition, it really isn't necessary. It's something that the mayor of Chicago should look into cancelling--Saint Patrick's Day would be the same without a green river.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, the green river is a iconic Chicago tradition that pays shows our love of the Irish heritage in the city. The dying should say, the people of chicago should just be properly informed.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, the green river is a iconic Chicago tradition that pays shows our love of the Irish heritage in the city. The dying should say, the people of chicago should just be properly informed.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, the green river is a iconic Chicago tradition that pays shows our love of the Irish heritage in the city. The dying should say, the people of chicago should just be properly informed.
ReplyDeleteHi Henry,
ReplyDeleteA very timely topic. But I wonder if you could explain further this claim:"and despite the green dye not being dangerous it puts citizens of Chicago in a dangerous mindset."? There really doesn't seem to be any evidence for it. Try linking and quoting from a news article that might function as proof of this "dangerous mindset".