Yesterday I took part in Toronto's 2010 Zombie Walk and I was totally astounded by people's dedication and fascination with zombies.
There were a couple thousands there: adults and children; different social and cultural groups; humans and dogs; all joined together to wander around the streets of Toronto like the walking dead of the classic George A. Romero zombie flick.
Recently, I read that zombies and their social significance is a popular academic subject, along the likes of Harry Potter and Star Wars. I don't find this particularly surprising. Yesterday, as I dragged myself from street to street in the pouring rain, I instantly forgot I was "undead" and caught myself staring at lights, noting interesting restaurants, and admiring clothes from boutiques. Looking forward I caught the eye of a man standing underneath an archway, sheltered from the rain. On eye contact, he said: "real people are more zombie-like than you." At first I was rather annoyed by this comment. Insulted even. He suggested that people in Toronto walk around like zombies on a day-to-day basis - I experienced this when I traveled by go-train to work downtown for two summers. Lifeless, tired, and in herds - people would then (and probably still) march to work like the undead that everyone physically portrayed in yesterday's march. That being said, I'm no longer offended by the stranger's remark, but instead, I'm happy. I am still human because I find pleasure and curiosity in new things. I can walk, march, or run - always remaining captured and enthralled by the world around me.
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