On my Facebook page this week, much has been made about the decision, a decision made by several radio stations around the world, not to play the song, "Baby It's Cold Outside". Citing concerns about the Me Too movement and how the song deals with concerns such as spiked drinks, not taking no for an answer, and male dominance over females, many radio stations are reluctant to play this song.
Some took an immediate affront to this suggestion. This has been a Christmas song for ages. It is fun- both sides of the couple making up excuses they will need to give the next day after they enjoy their night of romance. It is tradition. Obviously all those who are refusing to play this song are just one more plank in the war against tradition.
I find these suggestions laughable. First of all, Christmas is not mentioned at all in this song. Other secular songs do mention Christmas: Frosty came to life on Christmas Eve, Rudolph's nose shone on Christmas Eve, Santa comes to town at Christmas. But no where is Christmas mentioned in, "Baby It's Cold Outside." It is only linked to Christmas by the word "cold" and that shows a definite Northern Hemisphere bias to this holiday. Believe no one in Australia, when it is 35C is going to be singing it's colds outside. I always found this song a bit disturbing because it tells couples that it is ok to sneak around with their relationships. I don't like how the woman's "no" is not heard- whether it is playful or not. Finally, there are just such better songs we can sing at Christmas, why are we worried about this drivel.
Many around the country are concerned about a supposed war on Christmas. They get mad when people talk about holiday shopping. They don't like it when television mention holiday specials. They say, "We are not even allowed to say Christmas anymore." President Trump, in speaking at campaign rallies, has taken to saying Merry Christmas over and over again. He is trying to show his supporters where he stands in this war on Christmas.
Now, I like saying Merry Christmas. My favourite scene from the old Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" is when George shouts Merry Christmas to everyone he can find. I would love to be like George Bailey dashing down the street spreading the good news of Christmas everywhere. However, I know that it is not Christmas for everyone.
Some people are celebrating Dhawali during this season. Some are celebrating Hanukkah. Some are celebrating Kwanzaa. In democracies, where we are supposed to celebrate freedom, how is it free to say, "You are welcome but your traditions are less important than ours.
I know that many buying gifts and singing seasonal songs do not link such things with the birth of the Christ Child so long ago. But just because there are others with different beliefs, no one is telling me that I can't say Merry Christmas to friends who believe in the birth of the child in the manger. Why should everyone forced to see the world like I do?
By saying Happy Holidays how am I being excluded? I like to think of Christmas as a holy day. It is also a holly day. As a non French person, I will never catch the full impact of Bastille Day. As a non English person, Guy Fawkes day means little to me. As a non American, July the 4th is just another day. As a non-Australia, I know that my views on the good and bad of Australia day are less informed than people who have been born here. Canada Day, July 1st, means much more to Brian and I then it does to our neighbours in our unit block. No one in our unit block would tell us that we can't celebrate Canada Day, but let's face it, to them it would be just another cold winter's day. It would be wrong of us to tell them that they had to celebrate Canada Day.
In short then, there is not now, nor has there ever has been a war on Christmas. In most countries of the world (yes there are some exceptions) you can celebrate Christmas as you wish, and sing the songs you want, and make greetings as you want. The fact that some say Happy Holidays in no way diminishes my belief that December 25th is a special holy day for me. Saying happy holidays however recognises that mine is not the only game in town. Some people are atheist and agnostic, or are Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh etc. The store clerk who says Happy Holidays is not saying that Christianity is worthless, but rather is saying, "I am not sure what if any religion you practise, so let's just play it safe and wish you a happy holiday." I, for one, am not too proud to take any good wishes for granted. Blessings.
