[TW for Christian privilege, Colonialism]
There is, apparently, a Canadian status meme going around Facebook right now. Given the time of year it’s not unexpected. Valentine’s Day, Hallowe’en, Easter, Christmas and any other holiday celebrated by society’s dominant group usually inspires those with privilege to flaunt said privilege without care — often in ways that harm those falling outside the delegated norm.
For a certain portion of the population Christmas will be celebrated near the end of this month. Some of the people celebrating Christmas do so to honour the birth of Jesus Christ, son of God his father. Others celebrate Christmas because it’s the dominant holiday spoon–fed to society, it’s the accepted and expected. There’s no religious meaning, just Santa and presents and special time with loved ones.
It doesn’t really matter where one looks, there’s a guarantee most decorations will pretty much scream “It’s Christmas!” at the top of their non–existent lungs. Almost all charities collecting will be doing so to ensure children have toys Christmas morning, or families have the Christmas everyone deserves, or that people in countries Not Like Yours can have Christmas too.
Which is fantastic, I suppose, if you celebrate Christmas.
continue reading "Deconstructing the ‘I will say ‘Merry Christmas’ FB meme."
