Disturbing the Peace: Assault on a Beloved Tradition

I am taking this break from the match.com experiment to comment on something I find quite disturbing. I have noticed assaults on traditions of all kinds during the past few years, but this Christmas season I have been appalled by the attacks made on a favorite jolly old man.

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal by Brian Campbell entitled "Time for Santa 2.0" in the weekend edition (dec 18-19, 2010) that infuriated me. If this was the author's effort to be sarcastically humorous, it was completely lost on me. If you would like to read the full article the only way to do without subscribing is to do a Google search for Brian Campbell Time for Santa 2.0 and click the first or second listing you get.

Mr. Campbell proceeds to give examples why Santa needs a reboot because "Mr. Claus is fat, uncool and technologically backward". His pompous and materialistic view on a traditional character that has brought joy to so many is exactly what is wrong with society at large today. Mr. Campbell clearly misses the point of Santa Claus and the traditions he represents. We have slowly seen this "de-volution" through marketers and retailers for many years in an effort to cash in on Santa, and it has now come to this:

"A new Santa Clause is what we need -A progressive well-versed in our very modern age: one who runs triathlons and talks about them on Twitter; who sets trends in fashion and social responsibility; who is deemed worthy by our Omnipotent teenage toddlers; who updates his operation to be more efficient, technology-driven and global; and who is as sophisticated as the American Consumer.

We have soared to new heights. We are better than those who came before us. Santa Claus must follow suit"

How obnoxious. Every generation soars to new heights, we hope. I don't subscribe to the idea that the American consumer is sophisticated. Having worked in marketing and retail, most are slaves to slick advertising and marketing ploys. This ethnocentric view of "we are better than those before us" will surely spell our ruin as a society. I believe all societies and generations are relevant and their contributions, positive or negative, are important. We should never diminish or forget since they were the foundation we have built upon. I believe this attitude also spills into the degradation of respect for elders and their knowledge and experiences, but I digress.

Santa, Mr. Campbell, is a symbol and is not to be taken literally. Santa is not about gifts, he's about generosity. Santa is not about a fat man, he's about happiness and contentment. Santa is not about technology or the lack thereof, he is about simplicity and the enjoyment of those simple things. Continuing the tradition of Santa Claus teaches children the importance of simplicity and kindness, something they don't seem to grasp from our culture today.

Perhaps everyone needs to step back from their technology-driven, emotionless, materialistic, self-indulging lives and focus on their families, helping others if they are able, and basking in the simple joys of winter and the holiday season. Try sledding down a hill or ice skating instead of pretending to do so on your PS3 in your living room. Have intelligent and entertaining conversation at the family dinner table without cell phones and text messaging to interrupt human interaction. Stop overspending on gifts and save some money or donate to a charity.

Santa is a classic. He is perfect the way he is, with his rosy cheeks, jiggling belly and hearty laugh. Whether you celebrate the traditions of the birth of Jesus Christ or not at this time of year, Santa Claus is a secular reminder of happiness, peace on earth and goodwill towards one another.