POINT HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Alex Anderson viewpoints editor

Inclusion is an action that has to happen every day in every space and sometimes that means changing those spaces. Saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas is a point of contention in the U.S that I don’t quite understand. I have wonderful memories of Christmas in my house from when I was younger to now and changing from saying Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays has not changed my experience with the holiday. What is has done is made people I go to work, school, and are friends with feel invited to celebrate the holidays the way they want.

 Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas is a small part of a larger conversation about diversity and inclusion and “politically correct culture”. People who use PC language are now referred to as “snowflakes” means they are fragile of weak but honestly I think its the other way around. People refusing to say Happy Holiday’s won’t say it because they are afraid that their weak idea of what America looks like. Sure most Americans are Christians and that’s not going to change anytime soon but what is changing is how people view celebration. Celebrating is singular anymore, there is more ways now than ever before to celebrate the holiday season. And that’s why people refuse to say Happy Holidays because they’re afraid their way of celebration will no longer be in the majority. This fear is unwarranted, I don’t see it being hard to find a Christmas tree anytime soon but I do see it being easier to find Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and as Posadas decorations.

So what are people losing from saying  Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, absolutely noting but we are gaining an inclusive space and a better mindset. Which is true for most PC language. So this holiday season I encourage you to try using some inclusive language because if this is really the season for togetherness I see no better way to celebrate.