The other day I was looking throughout the Halloween section in Walmart and came across the Day of the Dead section.

I know throughout the years Day of the Dead has become popular throughout chain stores. First it was paints and face tattoos for sugar skull makeup looks, then costumes, to house decorations such as skeletons and mini altars.

I never liked the idea of Day of the Dead becoming a trend and how chain stores abuse the holiday since it’s close to Halloween. I talked to my mother about my concerns of our holiday becoming a profit for these companies but she said we should be happy that Day of the Dead is getting its recognition.

Although, there was something that even my mother didn’t like.

I was holding it in my hand and I was in complete disbelief. I wanted to run out of Walmart. I wanted to call the CEO and use all sorts of curse words. In the Day of the Dead section, there was a pile of wax melts with all sorts of different scents.

They were Day of the Dead themes with names such as “Galletas de Calavera” (Skull cookies) and “La Catrina” (Lady of the Dead). Even one saying “Dia de los Muertos,” how is the Day of the Dead even supposed to smell? Although one really dug under my skin; “Sacred Altar.”

I was furious I could not believe there was such a name for a wax melt. I remember taking a step back and looking at all these items.

All for profit. Dia de los Muertos is a day where we remember our loved ones. We set up an ‘ofrenda’ (altar) and offerings such as their favorite food, items that they loved, family pictures and so on. This is a day where we honor our loved ones and have a celebration of life.

Day of the Dead is an all-day celebration where the streets are filled with skulls, papel picado (paper craft banners), food, music and family.

For Walmart and other chain companies, taking advantage of this holiday is disgusting. This is a meaningful holiday and they decided to make it into scents? I am disgusted and I am disappointed. Do better, capitalism.

Karina Delgado is a senior secondary English education major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or kmdelgado@eiu.edu.