Stop the homecoming foolishness

This is my fourth and final homecoming as an undergraduate student at Prairie View A&M University and I’ve noticed that most students lose all morals during this one week.
 It is every student’s goal and social obligation to “set their homecoming out.” In fact, it’s an identified crime among the student body not to do so.
 We all know it’s true.
Someone asked me, “Are you participating in any of the festivities?” and I replied “Yes, kind of.” That person responded to me as if I admitted to not brushing my teeth for a week: shocked, appalled and disgusted.
While there’s no formal code on whether a student must or must not enjoy homecoming and the irreplaceable events of the week, there’s obviously an invisible Prairie View scale to measure if someone really did set their homecoming out or if they just had regular fun with their friends.
Generally, the definition of a “set out” homecoming is one that is not easily recollected, if you catch my drift.
Most students spend the whole week “turning up.” Another simple description of “the perfect homecoming week” is total irresponsible and reckless behavior.
In even simpler terms, setting your homecoming out consists of doing everything you want to do during the school year but can’t because you actually care about graduating from this great institution one day. This everything ranges from streaking, to partying, to drinking, to smoking, to neglecting class work, to not sleeping, to just hanging around aimlessly.
In some students’ eyes, homecoming week can be equated to an alcoholic beverage given to a promiscuous girl: an excuse to act a complete fool.
In no way am I saying that it’s a sin to have fun during homecoming week, but there has to be a limit.
There’s never a right time to forget about your conscience and just act. Some of the activities students participate in are completely unacceptable.
This week started off on a quite spiritual note with the Gospel Fest but soon after the pure festivities were over, the impurities prevailed.
Sunday night took the whole streaking tradition to another level. Not only were students involved in public indecency, there was also defacement of school property, an automobile accident, harassment of authorities and disturbance of the peace.
As I aforementioned, having fun during homecoming week is the objective and has always been, but when behavior becomes illegal and disrespectful, the “fun” has to stop. As a student body we must be vigilant and aware of our actions at all times.
Prairie View produces productive people because we have the ability and determination to look forward and see exactly where we want to be. This productive mindset must be consistent even throughout homecoming week. Homecoming is a time to enjoy the traditions, the history and the overall spirit of Prairie View A&M University.
We ought to remember why there is a homecoming in the first place. We must keep in mind that there are consequences for every action but most of all I encourage us to dwell on the slogan,” Set YOUR homecoming out.” Homecoming is yours. Homecoming is ours and what it will become in the future is in our hands.