20 January, 2008 'Tis the season to be culturally aware, not 'politically correct'

When you step into Myer in the middle of September and you’re greeted by the joyous sounds of “O come all ye faithful” you know it has begun. Then the snowflake cut outs start sprouting from the ceiling…and you know you’re still two months away. Then not long after, you are covered in Christmas. No matter what your religion is, or whether you celebrate it, it can seem as though Christmas is imposed on you.

In the past few years there has been a trend to ‘politically correct’ all things Christmas by watering-down the Christian element of the holiday. In the UK Christmas is often referred to as ‘Wintervale’ and in the United States Christmas trees have been renamed ‘Holiday’ trees. In Australia it has been suggested that we replace Christmas with an alternative word such as ‘Festive’.

Whenever I receive Christmas cards that say “Season’s Greetings” I always wonder what season is actually being referred to. A season during which we become bombarded with snow flakes, reindeer, and snow men (sorry, snow people) at the hottest time of the year?

In a way the politically correcting of Christmas may actually be damaging to our multicultural society. This so-called ‘anti-Christmas campaign’ has caused tension between religious groups, as minority religions are often being blamed for this trend.

In a multicultural society like ours it is very important to recognise our religious diversity and that not everybody celebrates Christmas. However, we must be inclusive, rather than being exclusive, which is the opposite to multiculturalism. Instead of banning nativity scenes, some organisations have end of year parties rather than Christmas parties to involve all staff members.

But the important time to be culturally sensitive isn’t just at Christmas, it’s throughout the year. It involves being understanding, respectful, appreciative, and aware of other religious and cultural celebrations, as well as day-to-day practices.

With almost 400 cultural events being celebrated in Australia each year, from independence days, various queen’s birthdays, religious new years to Oktoberfest, this does not necessarily mean providing a public holiday. But on an individual level it can mean keeping your pets inside for your neighbour’s fireworks show during the Diwali Festival of Lights, or not eating cheesecake in front of a Muslim during Ramadan with five hours to go before sunset.

Despite some of the Christmas controversies, I think Australians of all backgrounds have actually done a great job embracing all religious and cultural community celebrations, including Christmas.

It can be hard if the main holiday in Australia is based around something you don’t believe in, and few can bare the months and months of Christmas carols and tinsel. However, the people I have spoken to don’t see it this way. In fact, I have not met anybody who wasn’t appreciative of the holiday which is also revolved around enjoying time with friends and family, and eating. And I have never met a person who has been offended to receive a present and good will.

I think most people are actually like Vickram, a Sikh from NSW, originating from Northern India, who said he does celebrate Christmas, although with a cultural spirit (not a religious spirit).”

Besides, the PC Police now have much more to worry about than nativity scenes.

“Ha Ha Ha”.

Find out how some other Australians feel about Christmas and celebrating other religious and cultural occasions in Australia.

What do you think of Christmas? Are you happy to have it?

“Yes, I am happy to have Christmas and any other reason for the humanity to celebrate life and to care for others”!
Vickram Singh Grewal, aged 32, of NSW
Background: Indian, Sikh

“I do like Christmas, but sometimes it's easy to get a bit cynical about it. I can't really see it as an overly 'religious' holiday... but I do like getting presents still, and it's a good time to spend with the family, and to think of others a bit more than yourself…. Yes, I am happy to have Christmas, I think it is one of the last remaining threads of good things left in this world - even if it is really commercialised”.
Greg Baker, aged 27, of Cardiff, NSW
Background: “ about as Aussie as you can get”, Christian

“I see it as a time of celebration and family togetherness. I don't celebrate it so it doesn't affect me, but it makes my friends (who do celebrate it) happy”.
Tiara Shafiq, aged 22, of St Lucia QLD
Background: Malay/ Bangladeshi

“I love Christmas. I see it as an opportunity to spend time with my family, give to the poor, and remember the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ”.
Amanda Fairweather, aged 20, of Sydney
Background: Australian/Italian/English, Christian

Is making Christmas ‘politically correct’ over-cautious to people’s possible sensitivities?

“It's not political correctness. It's actually being aware that not everyone is Christian and that there are a few other cultural events that happen around Christmas time”.
Tiara Shafiq, aged 22, of St Lucia QLD
Background: Malay/ Bangladeshi

“….Based on both our past and our present, there is no basis for repealing the public celebration of Christmas - both as a religious holiday, for those who choose to see it that way, and as a cultural holiday, for those who see it as part of our Western heritage. I do oppose the secularisation of the holiday though. I think if secularists want a holiday they should make up one of their own, and not steal one from the Christians”.
Amanda Fairweather, aged 20, of Sydney
Background: Australian/Italian/English, Christian

“It depends how far you go. I don't think there's any problem with offering "Seasons Greetings", whether in card form or in public… But I don't think politically correct language, etcetera, should be mandated. Australia is about multi-culturalism, not anti-culturalism”.
25-year-old, of Stanmore NSW
Background: Bangladesh, Atheist

“Absolutely I think it's over-cautious. Australia is supposed to be a Christian nation, or at least it WAS. If people get offended by Christians celebrating Christmas, well, maybe they should do something about Halloween, too. I think there's too much 'kowtowing' to try not to offend people these days.
Greg Baker, aged 27, of Cardiff, NSW
Background: “ about as Aussie as you can get”, Christian

“I think that you can be sensitive by not shoving religion down anyone's throat. It's about being respectful and that goes both ways. There has to be an understanding that the vast majority of people in Australia celebrate this holiday and that we are a multicultural society where there are people who do not. We have to accept both - banning Christmas celebrations in a school, for example, would be, to me, the equivalent of banning the Hijab. If you don't want a part of it, choose not to, but don't put those who do down”.
Jen, aged 29, of Wollongong, NSW
Background: Australian/Filipiono/Spanish

What do you do on the Christmas and Easter public holidays?

“…I just do whatever I was meant to do that day”.
Tiara Shafiq, aged 22, of St Lucia QLD
Background: Malay/ Bangladeshi

“Get together with family, have a 'Christmas Meal', give (time, money or some sort of support to someone) and do some pending work at home”.
Vickram Singh Grewal, aged 32, of NSW
Background: Indian, Sikh

“Spend time with family, eat good food, unwrap presents and eat lots of chocolate! Oh, and play with aforementioned presents after unwrapping them”.
Greg Baker, aged 27, of Cardiff, NSW
Background: “ about as Aussie as you can get”, Christian

If you’re not a Christian, and you do celebrate Christmas, why did you start celebrating it?

“When I was young, my parents (who are Muslim) organised for Santa to drop presents off so we didn't feel left out”.
Aged 25, of Stanmore NSW
Background: Bangladeshi, Atheist

“[I] Was brought up as a Catholic, but have lost the faith in all religions now. [I] started celebrating Christmas ever since I can remember anything, and now it just continued due to family pressure”.
Amy Huang, aged 27, of Leichhardt, NSW
Background: Taiwanese

Are there other religious/cultural events that you partake in?

“Chinese New Year”.
On this day: “Big family get together, have a meal together and kids receive their year's lucky money”.
Amy Huang, aged 27, of Leichhardt, NSW
Background: Taiwanese

“Yes, Eid (Muslim), Holi (Hindu), Vaisakhi (Sikh)”.
On this day: “Meet friends of respective religions and PARTY!! As well as learn something about their festival/celebration”.
Vickram Singh Grewal, aged 32, of NSW
Background: Indian, Sikh

“Eid's a big thing, my family's Muslim. I have friends from many cultures so I've celebrated Chinese New Year, Diwali, and a few other things with them”.
On this day: “Eat!!! Meet with friends, exchange money (if the holiday asks for it), have fun”.
Tiara Shafiq, aged 22, of St Lucia QLD
Background: Malay/ Bangladeshi

Do you have any difficulties partaking in these events because they are not familiar to some other Australians?

“No, I think everyone else is pretty much aware of Chinese New Year. City of Sydney is celebrating it”!
Amy Huang, aged 27, of Leichhardt, NSW
Background: Taiwanese

“NOT AT ALL!”
Vickram Singh Grewal, aged 32, of NSW
Background: Indian, Sikh

Does your family have any other religious/cultural events that you used to be involved in but over time in Australia have become redundant?

“Don't think so. Besides Chinese New Year. everything else have been lost over time since we live like everyone else here. In fact, I don't really know much about other celebrations”.
Amy Huang, aged 27, of Leichhardt, NSW
Background: Taiwanese

“Filipino Independence Day. [I] Stopped going for various reasons…break down in relations with Filipino groups, disintegration of cultural pride in young people (older Filipino groups not making it appealing for younger generations to get involved due to conflict and old fashioned beliefs and values of the older generation”.
Jen, aged 29, of Wollongong, NSW
Background: Australian/Filipiono/Spanish

“We used to celebrate Eid when we were young. My parents don't really do much for it anymore. My brother and I never really got into it. I don't think there's a deep explanation - probably just my parents, who live in a small city (25,000 people) are not very involved in the Bangladeshi / Muslim communities and so do not really feel the desire to make a big deal of it”.
Aged 25, of Stanmore NSW
Background: Bangladeshi, Atheist

Should other religious/cultural events be given more recognition in Australia (or even given a public holiday)?

“Yes, but not to the extent of having a public holiday over it. They should be recognised and tolerated though if they are seen celebrating, because that's what Australia is all about”.
Amy Huang, aged 27, of Leichhardt, NSW
Background: Taiwanese

“YES! That will show that Australia truly is a society where everyone is equal. Another way this can be done is by the Government (all levels) supporting National Sikh Day (instead of having a day of for all Sikh festivals) and a National Hindu Day. This will give various religions an opportunity to spread awareness about themselves as proud Aussie Sikhs, Aussie Hindus etcetera”.
Vickram Singh Grewal, aged 32, of NSW
Background: Indian, Sikh

“More recognition in current affairs programs would be good because it would raise awareness and educate the public about each other's customs. It could also lead to some fun public festivals (for example Chinese New Years). A public holiday might be a bit much - we'd have holidays year round. But employers (including small businesses) should be expected to provide religious or cultural leave on an individualised basis. Many larger employers already do”.
Aged 25, of Stanmore NSW
Background: Bangladeshi, Atheist

“They should be acknowledged for what they are, but not given more prominence than Easter or Christmas, because of our heritage, and because of current population numbers (majority
Christian)”.
Amanda Fairweather, aged 20, of Sydney
Background: Australian/Italian/English, Christian

“Yes, because it's a multicultural country. Many other countries have a whole host of public holidays and it hasn't affected their productivity any. We should embrace cultural differences, not hide them under ‘political correctness’”.
Tiara Shafiq, aged 22, of St Lucia QLD
Background: Malay/ Bangladeshi

“Sure, why not? The more public holidays, the better. And I guess that's showing tolerance for people of other religions and cultures”!
Greg Baker, aged 27, of Cardiff, NSW
Background: “ about as Aussie as you can get”, Christian