By arthur Weinreb
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Contrary to the belief held by many, Boxing Day has nothing to do with the shopping that takes place in abundance on the day after Christmas. The origins of the holiday are somewhat unclear. One theory is that churches collected money in wooden boxes and distributed it to the poor on the day that follows Christmas. The most likely origin of the holiday, however, is that it grew from a tradition that had been followed in England since the middle ages. Servants who were required to work on Christmas Day were rewarded by being given the following day off and were presented with boxes of gifts by their employers.
This much is clear – no matter how or why Boxing Day came into being, it is directly tied to Christmas in the same way that the Christmas tree is. and we all know, courtesy of that great religious scholar, Justice Marion Cohen of the Ontario Court of Justice, the Christmas tree is a "Christian” symbol and, much like smoking, has no place in a tolerant, diverse and multicultural society that we are constantly told Canada is. Given the nature of her position, Cohen's decision is final until it is overruled by a higher court or in this particular case, by our wimpy Ontario government, neither of which is likely to happen in the foreseeable future. Nope, Christmas trees have to be banned from the public square (the term "public square” should be banned too; lest public rectangles feel excluded) on the grounds that they make non-Christians feel uncomfortable. If Canada is to survive and ultimately become a nation like Quebec is, there can be no alternative but to ban Boxing Day sales that are directly related to the Christian holiday of Christmas.
It would be better if Boxing Day was banned but unfortunately that can never happen. The reason that the Boxing Day holiday cannot be done away with entirely can be summed up in one word – unions. Look at Easter for example. Christ died on a Friday, was resurrected on a Sunday but Monday is a holiday. Why? Because the unions negotiated it. So as long as CUPE and OPSEU and the brothers and sisters in all unions are still around to rake in quintuple time, Boxing Day will forever remain a holiday. Case closed.
But if we truly are the tolerant and diverse society that we claim to be, we should get rid of those Boxing Day sales. They're not inclusive; they're not fair. after all, try and get 30-50 per cent off merchandise on the day after Dawali or Ramadan. It simply can't be done. The big sales are only as a result of a Christian holiday and as such are bound to make those of other religions feel excluded.
It is true that a person does not have to be a Christian to get a Boxing Day discount. But that's hardly the issue. after all people of all religions are able to walk into Marion Cohen's court house and look at the tree. and they all do that you know. People go there because their sweet little boy just got caught mugging a little old lady or because Children's aid has just snatched their kids, but they really just show up there to look at trees. The fact remains that deep discounts are handed out only because of a Christian holiday. and that's not "fair”; that's not "inclusive”; that's not Canadian.
Boxing Day sales must be banned but until it is there is only one thing to do. Line up at all those stores today and when you get to the cashier, demand to pay full price just like you would on the day after any non-Christian holiday.
It's the only "fair” thing to do.
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2024 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2024 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement