Chrismakwanzukah: A term used by retailers to celebrate all three holidays: Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukkah; thereby including most of demographics they are selling to.
For the past week or so my Facebook has been overloaded with the usual holiday fanfare: People complaining about the stores putting up Holiday decorations on top of the Halloween decorations, people complaining about big business taking the Christ out of Christmas in various ways, people complaining about people complaining about big business taking the Christ out of Christmas in various ways, and some kittens. Through all the bullshit though, I found a common trend and the big holiday culprit of this season: Starbucks.
Let's talk about this seasons villain. Starbucks changed their cups red to combat the evil political incorrectness and coddle the sensitive American public. Hooray for you Starbucks, you get a trophy, and by today's standards in society EVERYONE gets a trophy because everyone is special and doesn't know how to handle disappointment, because in the real world it's all candy and sunshine and no one is ever let down by anything...I'm going off topic but this has to do with it. In all honesty I really don't give two shits about this and you shouldn't either, it has absolutely no effect on us if their cups are red, purple, or adorned with Menorahs and Crucifixes. Rarely can I spare a car payment to drink coffee there anyway, but it amazes me how, on both sides of the argument, people are sooooo upset Starbucks is pulling the same stunt at least one or two big companies have been pulling every year for the past decade or two.
Oh...the outrage. Oh...the humanity. Oh...the soap boxes.
People are calling for boycotts and petitions and crying, but why, what does it really do that changes your day. I boycott them normally because I don't usually have fifty bucks laying around for a thimble full of burnt coffee with a pound of sugar in it. The people who think its a good idea will show support by buying from them, the people who don't will stop buying from them, and then nothing will change, literally nothing; at least on the consumer end of things. I did see a video of one guy who was telling the baristas that his name was Merry Christmas so they had to write it on the cup, which is hilarious. Agree or disagree, any way to stick it to big business is okay in my books.
So why do people care so much? I don't recall a Christmas where I collected coffee cups to decorate my house. Nor have I ever suffered any mental anguish because there was a Menorah painted on the window as I sipped my Cup o' Joe. And I know for damn sure seeing religious or semi religious symbolism on display anywhere never caused my or anyone's head to explode. Of all the thought to be put into it there really is no clear reason why it's a big deal to either side other than because people like to bitch and moan into the fray with the other bitchers (yes I just made bitchers a word, I'm an Enlgish major, I have the power) and moaners; the chorus of complainers gets louder every year. It really wouldn't be that big of a deal if they didn't do it for the reason they did and then announce it like they're some leader of the "progressive" movement. Wake the hell up people (coffee pun right there), we are all part of the only "progressive" movement in history that actually works in reverse. Censorship, coddling, appeasement, and melodrama don't make for progression, it makes for bickering and lets the people pulling the strings take advantage of all the stupidity. Appeasement didn't work during WWII and it will work just about as well today.
If you lose sleep over coffee cups then who wins? Not you. If you get your way and have the symbols back on/removed from the cups, who wins? Still not you. Do you honestly think the CEO's of Starbucks give a flying fuck about any of this? I'm sure they wrestle with their conscience as they lay out cash for their third private jet. It's all free advertising, that's it. Hell, just me saying their name as much as I did in this piece will probably boost their revenue in some way. That's what everyone should be angry at, that they're taking advantage of all the bullshit and winning while the world squabbles. That is Starbucks Chrismakwanzukah gift to everyone, causing grief and profiting from it. Not because they can, but because we let them. Don't you think it's time to stop being led around like fools, getting all up in arms about what some corporation decorates their cups with? If you're answer is a firm no then stop reading. But if its a yes, or even a maybe, how about this: Why not support local coffee shops? Yeah, this isn't a revolutionary idea, but really, why not? Why not take your money into town and find the coffee shop with the hand painted murals by the local school kids, the one's that support local music, the one's where the money you spend stays within the community? I would bet anything their coffee is ten times better than the mass produced stuff in any Starbucks. Just this passed weekend the lady and I found out that the best coffee ever is located in town at a local shop and you can be damn sure we're gonna be going back there..a lot. And instead of announcing their coffee cups outerwear for the holiday season, they will be announcing all the new cool flavors of coffee and food that they will be making available, because THAT'S how a business should be run, not by causing a frenzy with all the sheeple and collecting off of it. C'mon people STAAHHHHPPP.
It's the holiday season, it's supposed to be happy, about giving, about being with those you love and hold dear. Here we are fighting over "hot" items, pummeling each other to death, literally, for a discount TV, robbing the youth of all the possible joy they can experience during the season because we all of the sudden decided that other traditions are dangerous, like a holiday Red Scare. Think about it; what message are we sending kids by barring these things from them. What do you say? How do you explain to an innocent kid why things they're used to seeing and experiencing are no longer available to them? Because a bunch of assholes decided they didn't like it anymore so everyone suffers? That would be the honest answer, but you cant say that to a kid and expect them to understand, they haven't been exposed to the real world yet; why ruin it? It's not like they have representatives of each religion handing out propaganda, trying to convert everyone who looks their way. I think people just need something to cry about.
The area I grew up in was a big mix of Catholic and Jewish families. Every year in elementary school we would ALL make Christmas decorations, spin the dreidel, learn about each others traditions and it was so much fun, especially at that young of an age. No one was offended, no one felt imposed on, no one had a bad time, but then one day the Scouts weren't allowed to sell Christmas Wreaths at the school anymore and there were no more dreidel games. Just like that it stopped and it was probably around the same time this PC age started picking up speed. I would bet money that after all the fun we had in school was done and then everyone went home and told their parents, that was when the problems started; because like racism, intolerance is taught (YES IT'S INTOLERANCE), and it starts at home. And yes, barring Santa from the mall, denying children the fun of playing Hanukkah games, trying to ignore the fact that other people don't all do the same thing you do, that's intolerance; and a big part of the backwards progressive age we're in right now. The funniest part is the same people trying to put up a wall around anything and everything are the same assholes who are the loudest voices for "equality", and ALL of them are hypocrites.
As for the definition in the beginning, about the meaning of "Chrismakwanzukah". Did you catch the running theme in all of this, other than idiocy? It's money (*GASP*). I know, keep seated, it's pretty unexpected. The same retailers and businesses that are "progressing" are using the combination of names of the holidays they are "offended" by to label all the insanity and bullshit to make money off of the same people they're protecting from the "evils" of religious imagery. Basically, they're laughing in our faces..and...WE...LET...THEM. Hell, we pretty much encourage it. Every time you go on social media and post something in support or against their schemes you are supporting them, every time you buy from them, you're telling them it's okay for them to manipulate you; every..damn...time. Sure, it's hard to completely avoid big business since the small business and mom and pop shops are going under faster every day because of them, but lets start somewhere. It won't happen overnight, but it can happen.
Not to be morbid, but think of slavery through the ages. A big reason why slavery lasted as long as it did is because those in control kept those under control in the dark. If they only knew the power THEY had, how much they outnumbered those with "power", they could have risen up and overthrown with little to no issue. Now here we are, fully aware of the situation and fully able to do something, and we resort to social media to whine, post quotes and pictures and sit back like we accomplished something, all the while we only make the problem worse. Wait a minute...Holy shit how did I end up here, I'm talking about slavery and it all started with drinking coffee from a red cup. Before this turns into something else all together, I want to wrap it up on a high note.
Everything herein is valid. Agree or disagree, the facts stand (facts used to be important when arguing, look up that definition if you don't believe me). People, it's the holiday season. It's Hanukkah, followed by Christmas, followed by Kwanzaa, and the only thing those all have in common is that they're about love, family, giving, and not being a miserable jerk for a few days out of your year. Even if you celebrate none of them, it's still not a reason not be part of the joy that was, that can be again, what the holiday season is all about. Stop fighting, stop complaining, stop murdering each other for electronics and toys, go to the core of the season and appreciate it for what it is, because no matter how hard anyone tries they will never rob the world of the goodness that comes from these days and the times surrounding them. Let those in "power" mess around with designs and policing the fragile public if they feel the need to, it's not going to stop any time soon, so don't be part of it. Don't even be part of the fight against it, just be part of the happy, of the good times, the laughing, smiling, the togetherness. Relish in the joy of seeing someones face light up when you give them an unexpected gift or wish them a Happy Holiday, or Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. One act of kindness this holiday season will go a lot further than any amount of internet preaching you can do, and those are the differences that matter. Gandhi once said "Be the change you want to see in the world." It's a simple and powerful statement, so start today. Don't be bitter, don't be resentful, start the change inside yourself and throw it out into the world tenfold. Kiss under a mistletoe, donate to a charity, shovel your neighbors driveway without asking, do something nice despite what you see around you, BE THE CHANGE, you'll love it, I promise you.
After all that's been said, I beg you one last time to consider buying locally, whether its coffee or a candle or a box of cookies from a Scout troop, it will make a difference. Put down your pitchforks and torches and don't be bothered by the petty nonsense. Instead of leaving your family and friends on Thanksgiving to shop and wait in line, focus on the things that are actually important in the month to come; the very things you're leaving for a sale. I guess what I'm really asking is for everyone to take off the blinders and think about what matters, what really matters. So to everyone reading this and everyone in general, I bid you all a Happy Holiday Season, a very Merry Christmas, a wonderfully Happy Hanukkah, and a warm and Happy Kwanzaa, and remember even the smallest change could be the start to something bigger.
As for the definition in the beginning, about the meaning of "Chrismakwanzukah". Did you catch the running theme in all of this, other than idiocy? It's money (*GASP*). I know, keep seated, it's pretty unexpected. The same retailers and businesses that are "progressing" are using the combination of names of the holidays they are "offended" by to label all the insanity and bullshit to make money off of the same people they're protecting from the "evils" of religious imagery. Basically, they're laughing in our faces..and...WE...LET...THEM. Hell, we pretty much encourage it. Every time you go on social media and post something in support or against their schemes you are supporting them, every time you buy from them, you're telling them it's okay for them to manipulate you; every..damn...time. Sure, it's hard to completely avoid big business since the small business and mom and pop shops are going under faster every day because of them, but lets start somewhere. It won't happen overnight, but it can happen.
Not to be morbid, but think of slavery through the ages. A big reason why slavery lasted as long as it did is because those in control kept those under control in the dark. If they only knew the power THEY had, how much they outnumbered those with "power", they could have risen up and overthrown with little to no issue. Now here we are, fully aware of the situation and fully able to do something, and we resort to social media to whine, post quotes and pictures and sit back like we accomplished something, all the while we only make the problem worse. Wait a minute...Holy shit how did I end up here, I'm talking about slavery and it all started with drinking coffee from a red cup. Before this turns into something else all together, I want to wrap it up on a high note.
Everything herein is valid. Agree or disagree, the facts stand (facts used to be important when arguing, look up that definition if you don't believe me). People, it's the holiday season. It's Hanukkah, followed by Christmas, followed by Kwanzaa, and the only thing those all have in common is that they're about love, family, giving, and not being a miserable jerk for a few days out of your year. Even if you celebrate none of them, it's still not a reason not be part of the joy that was, that can be again, what the holiday season is all about. Stop fighting, stop complaining, stop murdering each other for electronics and toys, go to the core of the season and appreciate it for what it is, because no matter how hard anyone tries they will never rob the world of the goodness that comes from these days and the times surrounding them. Let those in "power" mess around with designs and policing the fragile public if they feel the need to, it's not going to stop any time soon, so don't be part of it. Don't even be part of the fight against it, just be part of the happy, of the good times, the laughing, smiling, the togetherness. Relish in the joy of seeing someones face light up when you give them an unexpected gift or wish them a Happy Holiday, or Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. One act of kindness this holiday season will go a lot further than any amount of internet preaching you can do, and those are the differences that matter. Gandhi once said "Be the change you want to see in the world." It's a simple and powerful statement, so start today. Don't be bitter, don't be resentful, start the change inside yourself and throw it out into the world tenfold. Kiss under a mistletoe, donate to a charity, shovel your neighbors driveway without asking, do something nice despite what you see around you, BE THE CHANGE, you'll love it, I promise you.
After all that's been said, I beg you one last time to consider buying locally, whether its coffee or a candle or a box of cookies from a Scout troop, it will make a difference. Put down your pitchforks and torches and don't be bothered by the petty nonsense. Instead of leaving your family and friends on Thanksgiving to shop and wait in line, focus on the things that are actually important in the month to come; the very things you're leaving for a sale. I guess what I'm really asking is for everyone to take off the blinders and think about what matters, what really matters. So to everyone reading this and everyone in general, I bid you all a Happy Holiday Season, a very Merry Christmas, a wonderfully Happy Hanukkah, and a warm and Happy Kwanzaa, and remember even the smallest change could be the start to something bigger.
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