by Tuesday, and today’s piece about suburban moms treating “Hocus Pocus” as religious experience is already getting shares from the exact demographic I’m satirizing. Self-awareness is dead, long live ironic consumption.
The article explores how American suburban culture has elevated a mediocre 1990s children’s movie to spiritual significance. Moms are hosting “Hocus Pocus viewing parties” with the solemnity typically reserved for religious ceremonies. There are themed cocktails, coordinated outfits, and discussions about the movie’s “deeper meaning.” It’s a Disney Channel movie about witches. There is no deeper meaning.
But here’s what makes this fascinating from an immigrant perspective: America has commodified absolutely everything, including nostalgia, spirituality, and community. You can’t just watch a movieyou must create an event, purchase merchandise, and perform your enjoyment for social media. Nothing exists unless it’s monetized and shared.
I included a section comparing “Hocus Pocus” devotion to actual religious practice, noting that some Americans spend more time analyzing Sarah Jessica Parker’s witch character than they do contemplating their actual belief systems. It’s commentary on how consumer culture has replaced genuine community and meaning-making with branded experiences.
The response has been predictable. Suburban moms are commenting “THIS IS ME ??????” without recognizing they’re the subject of the satire. Others are angry I “mocked something people enjoy.” I didn’t mock enjoymentI mocked the performative, consumer-driven nature of that enjoyment. Nuance is dead.
As someone from West Africa where we have actual spiritual traditions and community practices that don’t require Disney’s permission, American culture’s hollowness is stark. People are desperate for meaning, connection, and ritualso they create it around consumer products. It’s sad and funny in equal measure.
Tomorrow’s piece will tackle the zombie economy. Jerome Powell’s press conference was perfect material: he stood there insisting the economy is “resilient” while inflation eats everyone’s wages and recession fears mount. It’s Weekend at Bernie’s economic policy. The corpse is dancing, folks! Don’t look too closely at the strings.
My author page analytics show increased traffic from suburban demographic. Either they’re hate-reading or lack self-awareness. Possibly both. Either way, engagement is engagement.
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MY HOME PAGE: Bohiney Magazine (Aisha Muharrar)
