I find it far more amusing that people feel the need to devalue a tradition
by saying "well, it came from elsewhere". Traditions, cultures, and
language change and come to new meanings everyday. After all, if they
didn't, most of us would still be speaking latin! Or, to give it a more
modern spin, the term "Gay 90's", although recognized in it's original
meaning here, would not get the giggles and smirks it often does when anyone
is interpreting exhibits from the 1890's.
Should one use Christmas rather than Holiday? Most likely, yes. Here in the
states, over 80% are Christian. In most local and regional museums, I
would suspect that the amount of people that call themselves Christian may
be considerably higher.
Honestly, we, as a culture, have become so fearful of lawsuits and of
offending anyone, that, instead, we cater to a minority rather than a
majority. Now, if the majority always right? No. But that by no means
means that we must constantly bow down to the whims of a minority. An
example: I'm allergic to certain soaps and cleaners. Does this mean every
time I start to have a reaction just from being near those soaps in a gift
shop, I have the right to sue the institution/shop where the soaps are
located? I'm one person. Should I make others conform to my "needs" simply
because of my health issue?
By saying "Holiday" most museums are trying to cater to a small segment of
their overall audience. I seriously doubt that the vast majority of that
minority would care if the museum switched over to "Christmas". Especially
considering the fact most museums have primarily, if not solely, Christmas
displays.
I bet most Christians would have zero problem with a "Happy Chanukah" sign
if the museum was solely doing a Jewish celebration. Now, if the museum
does to a true combination of winter holidays, then Happy Holidays is
perfectly appropriate.
Maybe, for the 2006 season, some museums may be able to do an informal poll
this season? After the visitors few the Christmas/Holiday exhibits, ask
them to fill out a form asking whether the visitors themselves would rather
have a "Christmas" or "Holiday" exhibit rather than having all this
speculation into the minds of the mass public. :-)
-Elizabeth
>From: Rachel Talent <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Christmas vs. Happy Holidays
>Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2005 14:02:16 -0500
>
>I always find Christians becoming upset about the use "holiday" vs.
>"Christmas" a little amusing. From what I understand, a large number of
>Christmas traditions were adopted from older (pre-Christian) pagan winter
>solstice traditions, such as bringing a tree into the house and decorating
>it. Personally, I've always associated the winter holidays with human
>warmth and generosity, and in that spirit go with the term "holidays" to
>include everyone, not just Christians.
>
> _____
>
>From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>Behalf
>Of Alexandra Trumbull
>Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 1:11 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Christmas vs. Happy Holidays
>
>
>I work and study at the Milwaukee Public Museum, where the term "holiday"
>is
>used to describe the season's themed events. However, it's not just about
>the generic holiday feeling here, since the museum's European Village
>immersion exhibit is decorated for Christmas every year (with pieces from
>each respective country in Europe--beautiful!). I'm not sure about other
>holidays being represented in these decorations, but I know there is also a
>Kwanzaa celebration on the 26th.
>
>It's a tough call, though, because I agree with Dr. Mueller-Straten that
>the
>term Christmas is much more evocative and rich for those with this
>tradition, but you are also excluding a large population. Do you have ideas
>about the demographics of your audience? I can also sympathize with Dr
>Mueller-Straten's views, since Christmas is something more than a religious
>holiday for most Germans. I grew up there myself and always look forward to
>Advent season and to all the festivities surrounding Christmas. Using the
>term "holiday" in place of Christmas would seem silly to me in a German
>museum.
>
>In the States it's probably a better idea to use the term holiday though,
>especially if the city you live in is pretty mixed in terms of its
>religious
>representations. In this day and age I think it's better to de-emphasize
>religion in the public sphere, since it seems to be infiltrating so many
>other areas of our lives already...
>
>Alexandra Trumbull
>Graduate Student of anthropology and museum studies
>UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Museum
>
>P.S. eine wunderschoene Adventszeit wuensche ich Ihnen, Dr.
>Mueller-Straten!
>
>"Dr. Christian Müller-Straten" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>Dear Kim,
>
>what an anxious director... The 24th of December is, since more than
>1000 years, the official birthday of Jesus Christ (eastern is in their
>understanding the "higher" event, of course). Christians of all kinds
>are happy about that and give presents to each other. Other religions
>have other high events. We do respect their events and expect them to do
>the same! Do not retreat to "Holidays". There are many holidays without
>any religious content, like bank holidays or independance days. This
>would soften the original meaning. Let us defend christmas time,
>christmas carols and christmas feelings - against all ods like
>commercialism or political correctness.
>
>By the way, now does not start christmas time at all, but "Advent" to
>prepare ourselves for the symbolical coming of the Lord. So get back to
>the roots.
>
>Christian
>
>
>
>"Kimberly Kenney, Curator" schrieb:
>Hello all,
>
>My Director has asked me to ask the List what your
>official position is at your museum regarding this
>festive time of year.
>
>We have traditionally called our programs "Holiday"
>events this time of year -- Holiday Open House,
>Holiday Tea, Holiday Hearth Cooked Dinner, etc. We
>are fully decorated with about 30 Christmas trees in
>our historic room settings and throughout our "Street
>of Shops" (a life sized indoor town). We do have an
>outreach program exploring the origins of Holiday
>Traditions, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but most
>of our events in house focus around the Christmas
>decorations, visiting with Santa, and that kind of
>thing.
>
>We are wondering if other museums use the word
>"Christmas" in their events, or if you choose to say
>"Holidays."
>
>Thank you for your input!
>
>Kim
>
>
>
>
>Kimberly A. Kenney, Curator
>Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
>800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW
>Canton OH 44708 * 330-455-7043
>* NEW EXHIBIT: "Hearth & Home" now open and on view through April
>2006.
>* SPECIAL EVENT: Join us for our annual Holiday Open House on
>December 2. Members are free, $5 for guests.
>
>"Let us ever remember that our interests are in concord, not conflict;
>and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of
>war." -- 25th United States President William McKinley
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>__________________________________
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