I am certainly very fond of the concepts of both familial and romantic love, and don't think there's anything wrong with celebrating them--I just think that since not everyone finds themselves in a situation where a celebration is possible or appropriate, maybe the government might stay out of it (especially since they're really just trying to keep Ontario businesses from inconveniencing American sister offices by being open on Presidents' Day).
But I'm not going to prevail on this one, and I've (largely) stopped ranting. As you'll see in the posts above, I'm trying to use this week for a more relevant campaign of affection--for strangers and friends and acquaintances, whoever doesn't have a socially prescribed position in my life. Taking out my earbuds at the cashier and saying "How are you?" like I care about the answer (I do!) . Giving my seat on the subway to whoever looks tired. Taking down my garbage early so it's not a hassle for the super. Tipping generously, giving to charity, baking for bakesales (Thursday!), noticing new haircuts, and carrying the heavy stuff--I'm always trying to remember to do this stuff, but this week I'm trying extra.
When I start the "Family Day/Fascism" stuff, friends always point out that I have an awesome family, and I do; I know I'm lucky. It just seems weird that we would have a day where those who are lucky celebrate that, and those who aren't so lucky get to feel extra bad about it. I think maybe my viewpoint is somewhat skewed because I volunteered for several years talking to people who didn't have anyone else to talk to, but I do feel that more people are isolated and lonely in our society than us lucky ones care to think about. And those people might not be feeling so great about the weekend o' mandated emotion coming up. A little niceness might go a long way for them right now--or anytime, really.
RR
6 comments:
Even the lonely appreciate a day off work.
Yeah! Actually, my Dad will be coming down for the weekend from 1,200 miles away. So I will, unusually, get to be with family on Family Day instead of just hangin' out with my cat.
I think of "family" as a very loose term. (It even includes cats!)
If you're looking for escape from government tyranny, don't pick Sweden, that socialist nightmare (according to Bill O'Reilly).
I never meant to imply that I don't like days off work! Everyone loves those, but I just wish the name implied that the way was actually *for* everyone--Canada Day, New Year's Day, Civic Holiday (which is actually Lord Simcoe day, which I believe the province is united in not understanding)--those are the universal holidays. Presidents' Day Proxy would also work just fine.
And here I thought I was alone in mistrusting "Family Day" as conservative social engineering in the interest of Saving the Endangered Family. Not so much fascist as cheap and tacky, further evidence of the takeover of Canadian politics by small-town used-car salesmen and talk radio hosts. They'd come out and proclaim Self-Reliance Day and Heritage Day and Pay Your Own Damn Way and Quit Your Friggin' Whining Day, if it weren't for the fact that this would involve giving people days off work.
But I have it on good authority that Fridays will shortly be renamed A Fair Day's Pay for A Fair Day's Work And I'll Be Checking Up On You When I'm Done Playing Golf Day.
Oh, dear. I'm ranting on the Internet again.
AJ, where I come from, there actually is a Heritage Day! Family Day also, in certain lights, looks a great deal like Heterosexuality Day.
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