Biggotry is a symptom of the season
I have spent a large part of my adult life studying [tag]racism[/tag] and [tag]bigotry[/tag]. I was an American Studies Major with a focus on 19th century race relations. I know, most everyone asks me if that has been applicable at all in my career. Of course it has. The 19th century helped form the basis of race and racism in the the United States, and that is always applicable no matter what you do. Anyway, being an “out” [tag]pagan[/tag] for 11 years I have come across many anti-pagan sentiments. From the personal attack of informing me of my impending stay in hell to an entire parade in [tag]Salem[/tag], MA informing me of my impending stay in hell, I have always tried to roll that prejudice off my back. But it isn’t always easy, or sometimes it is too easy. It lends the question, what should we fight against and what should be ignore?
The going to hell theme is pretty prevalent. I personally don’t see why it bothers people so much. Why should I be concerned that you think I am going to hell? Not only do I not believe I am going to hell, I don’t believe in hell; at least not in the way you do. I do believe that we all walk the path that is relevant to us, but that we also have the same end result (more or less). So pray for my soul if you want to, I will always accept positive spiritual energy being sent my way. I mean that in all sincerity. But why is this idea so threatening to you? (By “you” I mean those who follow this belief structure)
I have had hours of conversation, heated and casual, with friends and family educating them on how I don’t worship the devil or sacrifice small animals and explaining that being Pagan (more specifically [tag]Celtic[/tag]) is a nature loving spiritual path that walks a pre-Christian tradition. It is that last little detail that seems to stick in people craw. Pre-Christian, what does that even mean? In a world so dominated by the old testament (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) it is hard to imagine an religion that existed before the names Adam and Eve were ever picked out of the “Most Popular Names in the Garden of Eden” baby book. More significantly, it is hard to imagine that those religions could possibly still exist, surviving the Age of Enlightenment, the Crusades and the [tag]Witch Trials[/tag]. But they do, very actively, all over the world. Our traditions are not only alive and well within these old followers, but exist in various form within other religions (though they don’t necessarily like to admit that, we often take pride in it).
But despite thousands of years of pluralizing God, saying hello to the Goddess moon and literally hugging trees, our ways of meditation and healing still seem to threaten people. A fact of which I was recently reminded.
It wasn’t anything big. It wasn’t anything overt or even direct. It was passive bigotry at its finest. It was a moment where the full meaning of what wasn’t said is understood, while you simultaneously wonder did I really hear that? Am I reading too much into that? Did that really happen? Maybe I am just misunderstanding? These questions run through your mind, but you know all the answers. You ask the questions more with hope that that is what happened, not what you clearly understand and the not so subtle unspoken message.
It happened in a thirty second conversation. Hello, how are you? They ask for someone else, not rudely they just ask, though without responding to the question nor asking in kind. Sure, let me get them, Merry Christmas. That is when the bomb is dropped. I am pagan, they are Christian and there was an apparent trespass in wishing such felicitations, despite my open enthusiasm and loving meaning behind a frequently used salutation. The response, a short and jaded laugh followed with an articulated Yeah. In my shock I just said ok. It was more of an acknowledgment of what transpired. I hear you. I understand you. I know what you are saying to me. This moment has not gone unnoticed. Then I passed the phone.
Maybe because I was not expecting it, maybe because it was so passive and not an outright informing me of my reservation in hell, maybe because it was someone who I know feels that way but thought civility would always rule out, maybe because sometimes it is easier to let things slide then to confront them head on I let the moment linger in my consciousness for just a minute.
In all my studies, you would think that I would be more prepared. This isn’t the first experience with bigotry I have ever had, nor will it ever be the last, but this was the most subtle from someone I know and I am simultaneously taken aback and unaffected.
Holidays |3 Responses to “Biggotry is a symptom of the season”
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Bravo!!!
It never ceases to amaze me that (and especially), in this so called ‘Season of Love’, the very worst in people can be found. It is for this very reason that I refer to this time as X-mas and not Christmas. Great read and great blog. I look forward to coming back.
I don’t blame you for the insertion of x. It makes me wonder why people then get offended when people and stores wish Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Apparently you offend someone regardless of salutation. I am very glad you liked the entry, I did debate on writing on it at all. But I have to say, I do feel better after having communicated the experience. So I guess in the attempts at political correctness to the point of pissing everyone off =) Happy Christian, Roman-Pagan, Jesus circumcision calendar New Year!
Or my favorite Politically Correct salutation:
‘Happy seasonal event’.