So here we are right in the midst of the YoHoHo season, when fat men dress in red and white to fool up small kids and some of their anxious parents, with another imported myth. I'm not Santa-bashing–that would be hypocritical, having served time as a Santa myself–but merely observing a seasonal example of globalisation, which has been with us since before the concept of globalisation was formalised and articulated towards the end of the 20th century.
This YoHoHo syndrome remains a period of deep ambivalence for me and I suspect, many others in our beleaguered republic.
Apart from the religious connotations–do Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Baptists, atheists, celebrate the re-positioned birth of the Christ child?–or are people merely coerced into the feel-good spirit of the time for fear of being branded scrooges? What about peace on earth and goodwill to all men? Sounds good initially, until we concede that it's another platitude we pay as much attention to as the words inside a Hallmark card.
Peacemakers and those who demonstrate (rather than remonstrate) their love for man and womankind have never fared well in the kingdom of this world. Take two current examples: Jesus and Mandela. Both got some real licks and whatever they taught us–in the way of vision, forgiveness, humility, acceptance of all, respect and love–remains largely mythical, as though it has no application in real lives, the supposed real world.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/digital/new-members