The other day, I read a comment on a Facebook page that made me cringe. It was a page that celebrates the excitement of the holidays, and on a post of a “December holiday-ish” picture (read, candles, wreath, script-type font that said Happy Holidays, etc), there it was: the awful, head-shaking comment.
Here’s the gist of the comment: I don’t understand why people call it “the holidays”. Only pagans celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving is only for the U.S.A. It’s not multiple holidays–it’s just Christmas.
I know what you’re thinking. But I got the strong sensation it was not a troll. But troll or not, such a comment as this adds to the overall separation, injustice, and ignorance of society–the world’s society, not just that of America. Which leads me to why this comment bothered me so much…it’s the same reason why that Band-Aid song bothers me as well. “There won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime”…There likely won’t be snow in my neck of the woods, either…what’s your point? …And “Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?” Contrary to popular belief, not all of the world revolves around Christmas. I understand, the song is meant to get us greedy first world people to think outside of ourselves for once, but I still cry poor choice in lyrics. And, no, New Edition, it’s not Christmas all over the world tonight, and that’s not just due to the different time zones.
Many cultures don’t celebrate it at all, in fact. And–gasp–! Some of those cultures are right here in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Some groups instead celebrate Yule…or Hanukkah…or Kwanzaa, etc. The point is, that when some “people” say “the holidays”, they are respectfully acknowledging the fact that there are more holidays this time of year than just Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
And then the assumption that only the states celebrate Thanksgiving. Most of Canada, if I remember correctly, does so in October.
And here’s something else. “Only pagans celebrate Halloween”–this is so false, it hurts! Never mind the blatant disrespect for pagans, as though they aren’t the aforementioned “people”. Wow. Just…wow. It hurts my heart.
…Now, this comment was one of those comments where you either refuse to stand for the ignorance and bigotry behind it and comment so yourself, or you ignore it, knowing there is a chance it’s a troll, begging for attention. I chose to ignore it there, but blog about it here.
What would you have done? Do you agree with my assessment of this comment?
Sarah Eaton 