Then, a few years ago, more than a few people became aware of the fact that there is more than just one kind of winter solstice celebration. In Seattle, the Port Authority took down nine holiday trees, however, rather than honor a Rabbi's request to display a Menorah alongside them. "No," they said, "zat would require us to include EVERYONE, and ve haven't got ze time for such sings. Take it down! No celebrations! Heil Hitler!"
Of course, this sparked a lot of controversy, as the WASPs were not sure how to handle being relegated to the status of "equal" to ... you know ... OTHERS. So, the trees went back up,
once the Rabbi stopped threatening to file a lawsuit over the Menorah-in-absentia.
Now, if the Amazon advert with nothing but a few paltry flakes and a white, heterosexual couple wearing sweaters is to be taken as representative of the larger social and cultural atmosphere surrounding The Holidays, and I would argue it ostensibly is, this holiday shopping season (which I note has begun even before I have bought a Thanksgiving turkey) will be utterly bereft of religious symbology.
A change I welcome with open arms.
Of course, I find it interesting that seeing only the snowflakes and happy white heteros automatically makes me want to buy things and wrap them in colorful paper to give to those I love.
The capitalist marketing machine abides.
