2008 Woodie Awards
End the war, sign a ceasefire and celebrate the season instead
Derek Dobachesky
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: Soap Box
It's getting to be that time of the year again. The holidays are approaching and people are preparing to celebrate in their own respective manners. While most of us are looking forward to this time of the year, once again, however, a certain segment of the population is beginning to revive an ever-more insufferable debate: that of the so-called "War on Christmas."
While most of us are more concerned with buying presents, decorating trees and watching Christmas movies, some are getting offended by our use of the word "Christmas," while others are getting upset when we fail to use the word "Christmas." I would like to send a clear message to those who seem intent on reviving this debate - or war, as some might call it - year after year: stop being big old Grinches, drop it and let everyone enjoy the season.
The frontlines of this supposed "war" are the public schools, corporate advertising campaigns and media talk shows. For example, last year my little sister's middle school in Massachusetts decided to eliminate the Christmas song from her choir's performance, but retained the Hanukkah song. They even went so far to eliminate references to Christmas that they banned students from wearing the colors green and red together.
Opponents of the use of the term "Christmas" by government, corporations and in other circumstances argue that it's sectarian and specifically leaves out those with different traditions, such as Jews, Muslims and Pagans. It is true that, if one is in mixed company, it makes sense to use the greeting "happy holidays" so as to be inclusive and respect others' traditions. On the other hand, it goes way too far when schools ban the colors red and green and it's considered intolerant to wish someone a "Merry Christmas."
On the other hand, there are those who want to eliminate any reference to "holidays" and replace them with "Christmas." They claim that they're on the defensive in this "war," that secular forces are seeking to destroy the holiday for them. Talk show pundits such as Bill O'Reilly appear to have anointed themselves the Christmas Gestapo, attacking any company that just may happen to wish consumers a happy holidays in ad campaigns.
While most of us are more concerned with buying presents, decorating trees and watching Christmas movies, some are getting offended by our use of the word "Christmas," while others are getting upset when we fail to use the word "Christmas." I would like to send a clear message to those who seem intent on reviving this debate - or war, as some might call it - year after year: stop being big old Grinches, drop it and let everyone enjoy the season.
The frontlines of this supposed "war" are the public schools, corporate advertising campaigns and media talk shows. For example, last year my little sister's middle school in Massachusetts decided to eliminate the Christmas song from her choir's performance, but retained the Hanukkah song. They even went so far to eliminate references to Christmas that they banned students from wearing the colors green and red together.
Opponents of the use of the term "Christmas" by government, corporations and in other circumstances argue that it's sectarian and specifically leaves out those with different traditions, such as Jews, Muslims and Pagans. It is true that, if one is in mixed company, it makes sense to use the greeting "happy holidays" so as to be inclusive and respect others' traditions. On the other hand, it goes way too far when schools ban the colors red and green and it's considered intolerant to wish someone a "Merry Christmas."
On the other hand, there are those who want to eliminate any reference to "holidays" and replace them with "Christmas." They claim that they're on the defensive in this "war," that secular forces are seeking to destroy the holiday for them. Talk show pundits such as Bill O'Reilly appear to have anointed themselves the Christmas Gestapo, attacking any company that just may happen to wish consumers a happy holidays in ad campaigns.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Todd
posted 11/21/07 @ 4:48 PM EST
Derek - I appreciate your article, thank you very much. As one who is on the right side of this fence (as well as most other fences), I appreciate the honest input from an unbiased observer. (Continued…)
Post a Comment