Case #36: Video

[19centconstable]

[George looks very sorry to have to admit this, but:]

I thought that was a rather lovely trip, but I still don't understand what Kwanzaa is.

Comments

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Oh.

...but...how is it disrespectful to celebrate someone's heritage with them?

And what is a marketing promotion?

[championoftime]

It's not disrespectful if you're invited to celebrate with them. But doing so without their permission is extremely invasive. An open festival is one thing. Lantern lightings, tulip festivals, Oktoberfest. But some holidays are deeply personal and it's simply more polite to be asked to participate. Especially when it's symbolic kinship, brought about by cultural exclusion and overcoming adversity with others of similar backgrounds.

Marketing promotion is where you sell a product under the guise of it being related to an event, place, object, or individual. Frequently rather than celebrating what it is intended to celebrate, the product makers only wish for financial gain.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

People do that to Christmas?

[championoftime]

There is a reason that it is so widely resented anymore. Especially by those aboard that have no reason to celebrate it, yet are forced to by the conditions of the ship. Just as they're forced to be here. They've no reason to see the optimism that should come hand in hand with the holiday.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

That's awful. Surely there's something we can do?

[championoftime]

It never hurts to request people to celebrate the holidays with you. On a more personal level.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

That's certainly simple enough. I might have done anyway.

[championoftime]

Splendid! You're already doing well by the holidays then.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

It is the most wonderful time of the year.

[And if there is a popular song with similar lyrics, George is unaware.]