The holiday season: a plethora of pumpkins; children in costumes; forward to the scent of cinnamon that seems so prevalent in the month of November; so close to Thanksgiving the string of lights; the scent of pine needles placed near the crackling fire place; a mug raised to your face; the circumference wider than your cheeks; the warmth of the hot chocolate bellowing in your face; and the echo of Christmas carolers singing along the way. But where does Hanukkah fit in? Which describes Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)? Many more are not accounted for when the overall description of the holiday season is discussed. A most definite white perspective that regulates corporations is specific with their advertising strategies. An example of such advertising strategies is Valentine’s Day; a profusion of aisles coated in candy hearts, large stuffed animals, and rows upon rows of cards and candies for children to pass out in class. Celebrated so much for a holiday that spawns from nothing. A country heavily saturated with a copious amount of culture should not be so heavily surrounded by lack of knowledge. There’s a beauty in each holiday; a beauty in diversity.
“I can’t really celebrate it here because I don’t have any dead family members buried here,” sophomore Caroly Coronado- Vargas said.
Vargas is a Latina student whom contributes to the dense population of East High. Vargas is of Mexican descent and is very tied into her culture. When speaking of celebrating Day of the Dead, she mentions how she is unable to because none of her passed relatives have been buried here, and thus, cannot be truly celebrated.
“Especially here in Iowa because there’s so much to it and it’s not possible. Like, in California they are more able to celebrate. I envy them in a way,” Vargas said.
Although there may not be too much room to perform the celebratory traditions, the acknowledgment of so is not too much to ask for. So often these restrictions go unnoticed for the mere incentive that they are not as important as the majorly glorified “white” holidays. The disregard is such a discourtesy to the people who are so much more than these select holidays. Such a discourtesy to a culture rooted in exquisiteness.
“I thought to myself that if they never used it as propaganda for candy and beer then I would have something special to show the world later,” Vargas said.
While responding to lack of recognition in the world of corporations, she quickly notes that it is not of importance to her. Corporations misuse her culture for terms of gain in profit. Sadly, and very often, when culture is finally represented, it is either informal or for a hidden objective. Walk through the Christmas section of almost any store. Notice the single menorah hidden in the mess of tinsel and pine needles from fake trees. The very thought that this nation is unable to integrate a culture without the need to attain a profit, or even try to fully understand it, is simply incompetent.
“Honestly, I still go through lots of teasing based on the fact that I am Asian. However, now that my heritage is celebrated quite often, I’ve come to be prouder and no longer feel insecure of who/what I am,” junior Shaylah Lou said.
Lou grew up with a father who practiced the religion of Buddhism. She grew up with a culture slightly differing from the average American. Now, when not misrepresented, the celebration of culture and heritage can be rather empowering. When culture is celebrated and not exploited, a quite splendid perspective is created. Sincerity and genuine respect are more valuable than any lack- of- actual- thought product that supposedly is inclusive could ever be.
“The holiday season means, even though you should spend time with your family all year, this time of year it is very important to see your family and show your love for your family and friends,” junior Arminda Neppl said.
Though the holiday season has a long way to come, the common belief is simply still marvelous. True values, spoken by typical Americans, are what the nation and society should fully bestow upon themselves. Stay true to the love of diversity. Stay true to the love of humanity. Stay true to the beauty of diversity.