I have seen a lot of all-caps-multiple-exclamation-points posts from middle-class white people on social media this month. Their issue? That people are saying the wrong holiday greeting to them. They’re Jewish or agnostic or Wiccan or whatever and someone happily wished them a “Merry Christmas.”
I get being upset or annoyed by that. I really do. But going ALL CAPS & exclamation pointy on people?….I don’t get that. See, here’s the thing, for the first time in your life, you’re the minority. I’ll bet the majority of America celebrates Christmas. Maybe not the Christian version, and perhaps they also have a menorah lit in the window, but chances are, Santa is somewhere in their holiday season.
So, “all-caps-exclamation-pointy-people,” I want you to take a good long look at how outraged you are at this small, seasonal injustice…. and then I want you to think about it the next time a black person is shot without cause. The next time a transgendered child commits suicide because of merciless bullying. The next time a gay man is beaten to death for sport. I want you to think about the fact that there are many, many, many people in this world who still want me dead because I was born a Jew.
When someone goes out of their way to say something nice to you, feel free to correct them politely. Feel free to educate them on your choice of holiday…. Or just accept the fact that they wanted to offer you some goodwill and happiness.
….You’ll probably end up having a happier ChrisKwanChaunFestSol-iday.
: )
barbie angell
