It seems that each year, more and more people jump on the
bandwagon in the guise of political correctness to take away the freedom of
speech the United States Constitution guarantees. But it wasn’t always like this. Oh, yes, Virginia, there really IS a
Christmas.
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away…..no, actually,
right here in our own backyard …. greeting someone in the month of December with “Merry
Christmas” was not only acceptable, it was….get this…..not offensive. Even folks who didn’t celebrate Christmas
felt the warmth behind the greeting. There was nothing unpleasant, nothing
derogatory, no ill intent construed.
So, how did we get from there to where we are now? And just
within my short (short being debatable)
lifetime?
According to an article on the www.law.cornell.edu website, when
referring to freedom of expression protections within the First Amendment of
the US Constitution, “the right to freedom of speech allows individuals to
express themselves without interference or constraint by the government.” The Supreme Court interprets the extent of
the protection afforded to these rights.
Good men and women have fought and died for us to have these
rights. Can you just imagine what they would think if they knew that we
Americans were at odds over the words “Merry Christmas”? How trivial (and
foolish?) it would seem that folks would get visibly angry by a warm greeting?
Or, just as bad, that folks would get bent out of shape because someone wished
them “Happy Holidays” in the same warm spirit? (Yes, it happens.) Who ARE these angry people? Obviously,
this Christmas-Holiday thing is just a small part of what must be bigger
issues.
I truly believe how we’ve arrived here, where “Merry
Christmas” and “Happy Holiday” greetings are no longer embraced, has more to do
with our evolving culture than the mere words, and meanings behind the words, themselves. As a society, I believe we’ve:
- Embraced political correctness to such a polarized point that ‘tolerant’ has become ‘intolerant’
- Taught our children, by our own actions and lack of discipline, that disrespecting another human being is okay
- Missed the true meaning of what ‘being human’ is all about
And this, in my opinion, has led to why we can’t call it “Christmas”
anymore. And yet, I also believe that we’ve been sold a bill of goods that
EVERYONE believes this way, that EVERYONE could potentially become offended if
we speak those dreaded words “Merry Christmas.”
I believe we need to reinforce that it’s okay to be greeted
by “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” without taking, or feeling we should
take, offense. I also believe if we respond to a well meant “Happy Holidays”
greeting with an angry and defiant “Merry Christmas,” we are only adding to the
problem. Who declared THAT to be
acceptable behavior?
Jim Krumel, editor of The Lima News, recently cited the
following survey results in a blog post. When polled by the Pew Research Center
about the phrase they most preferred to be greeted with among businesses, the
majority of Americans responded that……(drum roll, please)……it didn’t
matter. (This is when “it doesn’t matter”
was an option. When not an option, “Merry Christmas” was chosen 57% of the time.) Read
Jim’s entire blog post here.
Posts and comments I’ve read recently include:
“I am not a Christian, but I don’t find it offensive when
well-wishers offer me a Merry Christmas. I take it in the spirit it is
intended.” – KitFox
“The way I look at it is if a Jewish friend offered Happy
Channukah to me, and I were offended at that, wouldn’t that make me a jerk? Can’t
we all, pardon the expression, just get along?” –Chris Behrens
Exactly.
In exercising my freedom of speech, I say “Merry Christmas” around here. Whatever you say, be it
“Feliz Navidad,” “Happy Channukah,” “Happy Holidays,” “Seasons Greetings,” “Joyeux
Noel,” “Happy Kwanzaa” or “Warm Wishes to You.” In the spirit of the season, let’s just greet
and be greeted and be merry.
Happy Festivus!
Err….I mean….Merry Christmas.
And I hope you took that in the warm spirit in which it was
intended.
Jean
Jean Bailey Robor is that “No Buts
About It” speaker who simply wants you to lead happier, more successful lives. Getting
past what’s holding you back and changing your mindset can put you on that path
to better living.
