Greetings STARFLEET,
Wintertime is a whirlwind of activities and family events. Some of them may still be virtual this year, while others moved outside, but it is still that magical time of year. So, I wish you happy holidays in the spirit of the season!
The days when the nights are longest have always spoken to the imagination. The long nights often led to time around the fire telling stories and enjoying the camaraderie. It is also traditionally the slower part of people’s lives.
Not surprisingly, there are roughly 50 holidays between November 1 and January 15 when you look at the major religions. They overlap, share observance days, and several are multi-day affairs.
Examples include:
- Christmas
- Hanukkah
- Dhanu Sankranti
- Yule
- Kwanzaa
- Feast Day of St. Basil
- Maghi
- Bodi Day
- And many more
This tapestry of celebrations is part of the interconnected society we live in. It is impossible not to these days, no matter how mundane life seems. Unfortunately, however, many of these go unacknowledged in the face of the dominant culture.
In most places, a clear majority follow a particular religion. It influences public celebrations, decorations in common spaces, and even what days are offered off of work. In most cases, this is not actually more than an inconvenience.
The problem is when it becomes a contentious point if people do not follow the majority. Every year, countless videos are made of confrontations simply because someone did not say ‘Merry Christmas.’ That’s taking it a step too far.
Unfortunately, many of those incidents happen because people feel comfortable doing so and that there will be no long-term consequences for them. That is where, no matter our personal beliefs, we can make a difference, even if it’s only letting someone know there’s a problem.
So, wish people whose beliefs you don’t know happy holidays. Take some time to learn about other traditions this season. Together, we can add a little more understanding to our environments.
Be the Change, STARFLEET, and happy holidays.