December is known for many holidays, but a lesser known one is its month-long recognizance of human rights. It is during this month that we are supposed to remember to respect one another despite our differences and to look past the things that separate us to instead notice which things make us alike.
And yet, one of the biggest debates this year, and for many years previously, infringes upon human rights in one of the simplest ways it can be done.
It has to do with how we greet one another in December.
Do you say “Happy Holidays”? Or do you say “Merry Christmas?” Or maybe “Happy Hanukah”? Or maybe you exercise your right to not celebrate any holiday, and simply continue with the normal “hello” and “goodbye” as if it was any other month of the year.
President Trump has brought this issue even more to the forefront of American’s minds this year, claiming that we will once again say “Merry Christmas again.” This isn’t the first time our president has ignored the religious and personal rights of others, but he isn’t what this article about.
Despite what he may believe, we need to recognize that it is important to remember everyone has the right to use whichever greeting they want, and the greeting they use has no effect on the celebration of anyone else’s personal holiday.
Don’t let someone not using the same greeting as you make you feel angry or upset because the holiday they celebrate has no impact on the holiday you celebrate. And don’t feel pressured to give a greeting you don’t believe in – this is your holiday season, too, and you have a right to celebrate (or not celebrate) any holiday you wish to recognize.
Put simply, respect and love one another this holiday season. No matter which holiday you recognize, we all have the intrinsic desire to be respected and loved, and the only way to receive this is to give it. And that’s really what the holiday season should be about – loving one another.
So, I encourage you this holiday season to put your personal greeting preferences aside and instead treat everyone you meet with the respect and love that we all deserve. It’ll make the season a lot less stressful.