By Amanda Throm
Political parties and the government do not have the option to show religious bias when it comes to decorating for the holiday season; that I understand. But when does a Christmas tree suddenly become a “holiday tree?” One tree, decorated in the Christmas image, does not a holiday tree make.
Every year on HGTV (Home and Garden Television), the White House allows a short preview of what the Christmas decorations for the year will look like. (Note the use of the word Christmas in that sentence).
This fiesta of ornaments, trees, garland and all that shiny stuff is topped off with a gigantic Christmas tree in the Blue Room, according to the Visitors Center web site for the White House. So, if political parties aren’t allowed to have religious affiliations with their decorations, jargon or religious artifacts, how can the President call his “holiday tree” a Christmas tree?
I will also mention that not once in this article can you find the words “holiday tree.” You can find “holiday” and “tree” in there, but they’re not together.
It’s a Christmas tree, people. If you want to be diverse with the holiday, then at least put up decorations for all the holidays. A holiday tree might as well just be a cop-out. It makes the holiday season trivial and meaningless if we’re only going to represent one religion and generalize it in this way.
Emma Sonney, a freshman, works at the Milwaukee Art Museum. When asked if the tree in the foyer of the Museum was a Christmas tree, she answered plainly, “No, it’s a holiday tree,” as if the question was ludicrous. This gigantic tree even has presents below, clearly marking it as a Christmas tree.
It boggles the mind how people manage to subliminally slip in religion when they use a different word for it. Suddenly it’s just a pretty tree with tinsel and ornaments and boxes wrapped in bows and all that frilly stuff. No way would it ever be a Christmas tree! How could you ever think that!
Those administration people sure do know what they’re doing.
Why, oh why, would you generalize a tree, predominantly made for Christmas, and label it for all holidays during the winter season? I can’t imagine how many people that offends when the closest thing to a tree that many religions get it a bush. Are we going to end up calling the Menorah a “holiday candle” soon just to appease to every different religion?
Instead of signs that say “Happy Holidays” why not do some amalgam, making a huge sign that says “Meppy Christmahanakwanzikkuh” That would make one hell of a sign.
