Mardi Gras is known for celebration, community, and a little friendly competition for beads. But this year, some moments along the parade route went viral for a different reason, confrontations.
From jockeying for position to arguments over personal space, clips circulating online showed behavior many described as unusually aggressive. In one instance, even our own Courtney P. experienced it firsthand when a grown woman snatched a throw right out of her daughter’s hands, claiming it was meant for her own child.
So what’s going on?
Licensed professional counselor Alisha Bentley says the behavior may reflect lingering effects from the pandemic.
“The first thing that comes to mind is the lasting impact of isolation,” Bentley explained. “For a long time, people had to create strong boundaries between themselves and others. Now we’re back in crowded spaces, but not everyone has fully adjusted to sharing space the way we did pre-pandemic.”
Bentley says another major factor is social media.
“We are constantly exposed to confrontational behavior online,” she said. “And often it’s presented as entertainment.”
She points out that in many viral videos, you can see bystanders filming but rarely stepping in to de-escalate.
“Besides recording, no one is really making a move to help,” Bentley said. “There’s a desensitization that happens. And sometimes the desire to go viral or monetize a moment becomes stronger than the instinct to intervene.”
She says that the lure of being the first to post instead of the first to help can subtly shift behavior in high-energy environments like Mardi Gras.
Bentley believes what’s needed now is reflection.
“Society may need to take a look in the mirror,” she said. “Go back to the age-old wisdom of treating others the way you want to be treated.”
And perhaps, she adds, a little therapy wouldn’t hurt either.
As Carnival wraps up, the hope is that the spirit of Mardi Gras: joy, generosity, and community, outweighs the viral moments that miss the mark.