"Happy Holidays."I say it with a smile. I intend a "Happy Holidays" greeting to be neutral, pleasant, and inclusive.
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Fox News still talks about the "War on Christmas" because many Americans feel that Christmas traditions are under attack. They say "Merry Christmas" on Fox. When used as the universal greeting,"Merry Christmas" affirms Christianity's status as first and default. Who could object? Aren't we all Christians here in America?
"Feliz Navidad" is a complication. It is Christian, celebrating Jesus' nativity, but in Spanish, therefore recognizing the presence of the other: brown skinned, presumably "not their best," criminal, and probably in the U.S. illegally. But Christian. Depending on the context, Hispanics are either an ally against secularism or a defilement of American blood, language, and heritage.
"Happy Holidays" is inclusive of everyone who celebrates any of the many holidays of this season. I am comfortable with the greeting, but should not be. Some Americans consider it an implied insult and aggressive secularism. Either Christianity is the common denominator religion, and therefore unique, or it is just one of many. Equal respect is implied disrespect, when neutral equality is a demotion.
Tucker Carlson, back when he had a very popular show on Fox, explained the situation to Democrats.
"If you are wondering why so many Christians are willing to support this president, despite his personal life, this is why: because whatever his flaws he has made it clear he is not the enemy of Christians. In fact, under certain circumstances, he will protect Christians. For people whose values are under assault every day by powerful forces in America, and that’s not overstating it, and if you are one of them, you know that means everything. . . .Christians don’t feel they have a duty to be destroyed by people who hate them."
I don't consider diversity and equality to be an attack on White Christians, but Tucker Carlson does, and he speaks for a great many people. They feel "powerful forces" are eroding their status, and they are right. The country is becoming more ethnically and culturally diverse. Polite respect in the modern era leads us to avoid voicing presumptions about others. Don't presume religion, ethnicity, gender, marital status, nationality, or politics. But I recognize that this comes across to some as stripping them of an important part of their identity, and is therefore disrespectful, indeed hateful. How dare I not presume they are Christian?
It can be a minefield out there.
I don't presume that people are Christian. I presume they could be any religion or no religion, and that is OK with me.
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1 comment:
Christmas is two things: a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and a secular holiday celebrating Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, trees and houses decorated with lights, and presents for children (and grownups!).
I am Jewish, and I love the secular version of Christmas. I celebrate it every year. There are Christmas lights on a tree in front of my house.
Some Jews to try turn Hanukkah (a holiday celebrating a military victory and oil that burned for eight days) into “the Jewish Christmas“ (including ridiculous Hanukkah sweaters). I think they are missing the point, and not doing their children any favors by denying them the secular holiday.
I can see not wanting there to be a Christmas crèche put up outside a firehouse. But objecting when firemen put up a Christmas tree or Santa and his sleigh on the roof is a war on the wrong Christmas.
I say “Merry Christmas“ at this time of the year, because that’s what I mean. And I refuse to be politically correct about it.
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