Should We Say “It”?
Some diverse reflections on Holiday Spirit
Ahhh! The Holidays! A time for family and friends...
Enjoying your own cherished traditions... Spending time with
people you love... and getting in big arguments with those
you don’t!
I have a good friend who’s Jewish; I’ve known him for
years. If he sees me at Christmas time, he’ll ask: “You all set
for the birth of your Lord?” He’s not being funny... he’s
letting me know he respects my tradition. He also seems to
have a deeper understanding of what Christmas means to
me than (ahem) some folks I can think of. My friend and his
wife came to a Christmas party at my house a few years
ago, and his wife made a beeline for our Christmas tree,
where she examined every single ornament. I went over to
talk to her and she said: “This is so interesting! Most of
our other friends don’t do this!” I was glad she
could enjoy something that goes with my family’s
NO!!
holiday tradition. At our house, we don’t observe
Christmas! We celebrate it!
Didn’t you learn about other cultures in
school? I did! (Cut to grainy 8mm 1960’s home
movie: Little Jeffrey and his friends in French
class. The boys are wearing berets. They have those
little French moustaches drawn on with an eyebrow pencil.
They are rolling around on the floor crying with laughter as
they point at each other and shout: “Oui! Oui!”)
I also remember learning that America was founded by
people who were willing to, and in fact did, die so that
anyone here could say what they believed in right in public.
Without any fear that soldiers would come to their home in
the middle of the night and take them away... because they
said “It”. Whatever “It” happened to be.
Do you like traditional Italian food? Thanks! My people
make it. And we’re not offended if non-Italians enjoy it. What
if there was a rule that you could eat pizza only if you were
accompanied by an Italian? (Plus, you’d have to buy!) And
Chinese food! How about that? Around here, a Chinese
restaurant provides the only exposure to Asian culture that
many people get. I’m not offended to see a Christmas tree
in those restaurants, either. I always tell my politically correct
friends to try the Yu So Dum. It’s perfect for them!
My same friend, the Jewish guy, was telling me about a
business deal he was negotiating. He wanted to get his
customer to agree on a price, and he mentioned to me that
“the guy kept trying to ‘Christian’ him down”. My friend kept
right on talking while I wondered how I’d feel if I was him
and had to listen to it the other way all the time. I guess
there’s still words out there that can really offend people. If
someone tells me that there’s something wrong with my
holiday, or that theirs is somehow better than mine, well,
we’ll come to reckoning right then. I’ll respect anyone else’s
beliefs ... but why should I have to disrespect mine? I’m not
going to feel guilty or embarrassed somehow for what I
believe!
Are you ashamed of something? What are you afraid
of? Say “It” right out loud! Are you saying dirty words?
Yes!! Of course you’re not! So what if they look at you
funny? People look at ME funny sometimes... well,
most of the time ... (sigh ... ALL the time) If we’re too
afraid to say what we think because we might offend
somebody, pretty soon no one will be able to say
anything at all. Is that what you want? I don’t.
This diversity business... is it some new thing
all of a sudden? No. Our parents called it democracy.
Diversity doesn’t mean that Santa Claus is now required
to light a Menorah. That kind of stuff is just plain stupid.
Real diversity means including everyone in the discussion,
friend and foe alike. And respecting other people’s beliefs.
But they have to respect your beliefs right back! And as you
respect that others have faith in what they believe, everyone
gets a chance to maybe learn something new. Faith is a
funny thing sometimes ... whether he likes it or not, even an
atheist has to believe on faith that there’s no God.
So speak up! Say “Merry Christmas”. Or whatever you
like! If you’re sincere, they’ll know it; exactly the same way
you’ll know it. After all, the power to offend someone lies in
your intent, not necessarily in what words you might use to
greet people and wish them well.
With all the unhappiness today with the economy, fear of
war, and terrorism, boy, I’ll take and give all the Season’s
Greetings I can; sincerely, with hope and promise.
It’s a fine way to end the old year and get ready for the new
year... wouldn’t you say?
The Ordinary Citizen
If they’re not mad at you, you didn’t do it right
My name is Jeff Marinelli, and I’m just an ordinary citizen who laughs at things sometimes. The things I write about express my own viewpoints
and opinions. What’s your opinion? Put your two cents in online at http://theordinarycitizen.com/forum2/viewforum.php?f=2