2008 Woodie Awards
Holiday season should not undermine individual traditions
Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: Opinion
As the holiday season approaches, this year more than ever, our nation has assumed a state of "political correct-ness."
It seems like nobody wants to call Christmas its name anymore. That's a real shame, and really ridiculous at the same time.
In today's world, there's a fine line between giving everybody their fair share, their point-of-view, while also trying to give everybody their individualism, what they really want. For instance, did you know that in some instances a Christmas tree has been referred to as a holiday tree? Where did that come from? People who celebrate holidays like Chanukah and Kwanzaa do not have a tree. The tree has been a symbol of Christmas for as long as the holiday has existed. What's next? Calling the menorah, the symbol of Chanukah, a candleholder? It's just about the same thing.
This isn't even a religious issue. Yes, it is important to be inclusive at this time of year and celebrate the holiday season with as much cheer and goodwill as possible. No matter which holiday you may celebrate this time of year, the holidays are about things like family, friends and valuing the important things in life. But at the same time, the traditions of all of these holidays should not be devalued just because the world wants to be politically correct. There is a reason the traditions in holidays are what they are; they bring joy to all of us. Changing things just because you want to make new trends is not always better.
This issue is almost impossible to resolve and still please everybody. But then again, where isn't there an issue where you will please everybody? You can't. No matter what is brought up, at any time of year, any time of day, any day of the week, look hard enough and long enough and you will find somebody who will disagree with your point. Right now, as a nation, we do the best we can, trying to be as respectful as possible with the holiday season with everybody. It is definitely appropriate to say "Happy Holidays," especially with somebody whom you may not know well. Be respectful with them and hopefully they will be respectful back.
At The Rocket, we feel that we should be inclusive during this holiday season. That means be respectful of people during this season and use the season as time of celebration. Don't overdo it and cheapen the traditions of holidays.
It seems like nobody wants to call Christmas its name anymore. That's a real shame, and really ridiculous at the same time.
In today's world, there's a fine line between giving everybody their fair share, their point-of-view, while also trying to give everybody their individualism, what they really want. For instance, did you know that in some instances a Christmas tree has been referred to as a holiday tree? Where did that come from? People who celebrate holidays like Chanukah and Kwanzaa do not have a tree. The tree has been a symbol of Christmas for as long as the holiday has existed. What's next? Calling the menorah, the symbol of Chanukah, a candleholder? It's just about the same thing.
This isn't even a religious issue. Yes, it is important to be inclusive at this time of year and celebrate the holiday season with as much cheer and goodwill as possible. No matter which holiday you may celebrate this time of year, the holidays are about things like family, friends and valuing the important things in life. But at the same time, the traditions of all of these holidays should not be devalued just because the world wants to be politically correct. There is a reason the traditions in holidays are what they are; they bring joy to all of us. Changing things just because you want to make new trends is not always better.
This issue is almost impossible to resolve and still please everybody. But then again, where isn't there an issue where you will please everybody? You can't. No matter what is brought up, at any time of year, any time of day, any day of the week, look hard enough and long enough and you will find somebody who will disagree with your point. Right now, as a nation, we do the best we can, trying to be as respectful as possible with the holiday season with everybody. It is definitely appropriate to say "Happy Holidays," especially with somebody whom you may not know well. Be respectful with them and hopefully they will be respectful back.
At The Rocket, we feel that we should be inclusive during this holiday season. That means be respectful of people during this season and use the season as time of celebration. Don't overdo it and cheapen the traditions of holidays.
