About a week ago, the Christmas decorations appeared in the lobby of my office building. Someone, somewhere really went overboard. Every flat surface hosts little scenes of golden deer frolicking in fake golden snow, there is a giant christmas tree that blocks the path to the turnstiles and all surfaces that can't quite accomodate a golden deer have swags of greenery on them. There are also about 6 different decorating themes going on there... but I really don't care. It's Christmas. The theme is Christmas. Fine.
Monday I noticed a new set of decorations in the corner of the cafeteria. Here we have a Christmas tree, a menorah and, apparently, a Kwanzaa table. I didn't see the Kwanzaa table up close until I inspected today, but could only assume thats what it was-- when you see a folding table draped in kente cloth, it can only mean Kwanzaa. When I looked more closely this morning, the Kwanzaa table also holds a Kwanzaa candle holder, wooden bowel of fruits and vegetables and dried corn. (You can read more about this at the official Kwanzaa website, http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/symbols.html)
Ok, so this is the point: In theory I totally support and value a pluralistic society. I mean, there is no caveat to this. I just don't find this all necessary. Menorahs and Christmas Trees are not the same things, one is an instrument of a religious holiday, the other is a decorative symbol associated with a religious holiday. Christmas and Hannukah aren't the same thing- and the there's Kwanzaa, which isn't the same thing at all since it's not a religious holiday... but it is an important development from the black power movement. It's just this kind of lame newish need to give everyone something roughly equivalent to Christmas. Instead of giving jews and african-americans some throw away symbol, why not chill on the Hannukah bit and teach gentiles about Rosh Hashanah? Or don't make it seem like Kwanzaa is the black people's Christmas... teach everyone what its about and why its important that it exists.
On a seperate note, I read in the paper today that tomorrow buses in New York and various other cities across the country will be honoring Rosa Parks by reserving a seat at the front of the bus in her memory. Now THATS a cool tradition.
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Did you know that the Supreme Court has held that nativity scenes violate the Establishment Clause when placed in public areas (like court house steps or other government buildings) but ONLY if they are placed alone? The Supreme Court says that as long as the creche is accompanied by Santa Claus, hundreds of twinkly lights, deer figurines, red and white striped posts, and other such festive (and gross) objects, nativity scenes are fine. So, do the decorations at Cadwalader include the birth of Jesus from his virgin mother? If not, may I recommend that you purchase these wax figures --
http://www.gagreport.com/bizarrenews%20-12-3-04%20beckham.htm
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