The Holiday Shift
I think we should make a list of all of the late-December holidays. I'm talking about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Winter Solstice... Boxing Day... Santa Lucia Day... surely there are others.
Let's make a list, and then, let's have everyone shift their holiday by one each odd numbered year. On even years, you celebrate your own holiday. On odd years, you learn about someone else's by celebrating it with gusto.
Christians have been celebrating Christmas for hundreds of years. That's all fine and good, but come on... I think they've pretty much got that one down. In 2007, let's give them Hanukkah. In 2009, we'll have them celebrate Kwanzaa. I want to see the Pope light the Mishumaa Saba. Damn straight!
And the Jews... They'd celebrate Hanukkah in the even years. Next odd year, give 'em Kwanzaa. In 2009, they get whatever's next on the list. Ramadan maybe.
And all of the people whom celebrate Kwanzaa. It's an African holiday that's made inroads here in the U.S. For those whom celebrate Kwanzaa... let's give them Christmas in 2007. Not only that... let's let them hip that sucker up a bit. Jesus! Could Christmas BE any whiter of a holiday? First on the list of changes - get rid of the red hat with the little white fluff ball at the end. Surely there's a better option - something with style.
Subtle changes to each holiday are permissible - but that's not really the point.
The point is understanding.
I know jack-squat about Kwanzaa, and that ain't right. I know jack about Hanukkah too, and I'm certain I'm not alone in that regard.
I bet the average Christian can't even spell Hanukkah. Or Kwanzaa.
If you can't even spell it, how can you know anything about it - let alone having even the slightest understanding of the people who celebrate it?
