Christmas and Political Correctness

Supposedly Australia has in the last few years said, “No, no, no” to Santa saying, “Ho, ho, ho.” Why? Because, well, um, it could be insulting to women. Seriously. I’m not making this up.

And now London, it is rumored, as of last year put Santa on a diet.

C’mon, folks. Political correctness has gone too far when we start messing with Santa Claus. Santa is non-negotiable as he is. While it might be a nice thought to put out carrot sticks and fat-free ranch dressing as a snack for the Big Guy on Christmas Eve, it’s not likely to catch on as a new and improved holiday tradition. Some people seem to think that a jolly weight-challenged fellow in a red velvet suit is a bad role model for our little Johnnys and Janes. I, however, must ask—how many kids have you heard say something like, “I want to be just like Santa . . . really, really fat. Yeah, Mommy, that’s what I wanna be when I grow up!”

No, the kids are more apt to become corporate types, drawing in all the money they can, as often as they can, however they can. And who knows? Maybe that will come from all the childhood recollections of their parents giving them too many material possessions at Christmas. Should we consider banning that, too?

Actually, if we’re honest, we’ll admit that if we see a Santa anywhere that doesn’t weigh in somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 pounds or more, we’re likely to think he has a fatal disease. Skinny Santas equate in almost everyone’s mind as Sickly Santas. And that’s certainly not a good image to leave in our kid’s memory banks, is it? It’s just not right. It’s not the tradition.

And Santa, exactly as he is, is just that, a tradition, as much a part of the season as is the fruitcake (hmmm. . . .), presents, decorated houses, and sending out Christmas cards. Political correctness has little to do with tradition, since the basis of these long-ago created rituals came way before anyone decided exactly what was right, and wrong, with weight issues and word usages.

While it is valid for us to want our children to grow up fit and healthy, and to know what is and isn’t good and right for them, it is highly unlikely that our kids will take a good look at Santa and decide his lifestyle is the one they want to emulate. They’d have to love cold weather but like to wear hot heavy clothes at the same time, enjoy never shaving, living where the weather never ever goes above about zero, sharing a home with roundabout a dozen or so—maybe more—men in pointy shoes and belt buckles bigger than they are, giving up the garage, year-round, in return for a workshop, and . . . and this is likely to be the real kicker . . . go everywhere in a sleigh powered by reindeer, rather than drive a new car powered by a V8.

Let’s be real, people. Kids are smarter than that. Give them some credit.

El Jay Alexander enjoyed the entertainment scene of the ‘seventies. After doing the hustle, watching the Mod Squad, and listening to the Monkees and the Herman’s Hermits on her Duster’s car radio, El Jay grew up to interview and write about the people who engaged her imagination . . . those entertainers. These days, she sometimes does the entertaining herself through her own writing. A good print company is essential for her business, and El Jay uses 123print . El Jay appreciates all the reprints, as long as this bio box is included.