Its been a little while since I've posted a blog, in fact, its been a long while. Now, I work for an online bank and take a large number of calls on any given day. One such day was Christmas Eve this year.
Now, I'm not one of those people who hesitate to say Merry Christmas on my own time. In fact, I understand that the vast majority of American citizens celebrate Christmas over Hannukah or any other Christmas time celebration. However, I wasn't answering calls at home, I was at work representing the bank. I also understand that there are a fair number of people who use our bank who likely celebrate Hannukah, or no holiday at all.
Now, I chose to wish people the best of weekends, and if they wished me a Merry Christmas, I returned the greeting. If they wished me a happy holidays, I returned that greeting. Frankly, I let the customer decide how I would represent the holidays.
Although I understand that the same groups who are angry about xmas over Christmas, or happy holidays over merry christmas are going to be upset about a decision like that, that's fine. Honestly, the same people who are upset about xmas over christmas also incorporate santa clause and Christmas trees which ultimately have nothing to do with Christmas either.
No, I'm asking those of you who have a slightly open mind on the topic. How do you handle situations like that at work? Do you let the customer or client decide, or do you decide for them? I'm sure people have a plethora of opinions on the subject and I'd love to hear them. Let me know.
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
American Exceptionalism
I, along with millions of Americans, listened to the President's address concerning Libya on March 28, 2011. Although the speech was clearly being given by President Obama, the message was one I've heard numerous times from every administration I can remember.
Steve Benen of Washington Monthly noted Obama saying, "the United States isn't like other countries; ours is a country with unique power, responsibilities, and moral obligations."
Regularly throughout the President's address I remember hearing the words responsibility, calling, greatest country, etc. It became certain to many who may not have believed it before that the president does indeed believe in American exceptionalism. Administrations have long been using such rhetoric when addressing the American people, especially as it pertains to foreign policy.
At this moment a pertinent question needs to be asked, is this belief in American exceptionalism limited to government officials, politicians, and the president? Or is it a prevailing belief in the United States transcending race, gender, politics and religion? A Gallup poll from late last year found that 80% of Americans believe their country "has a unique character that makes it the greatest country in the world." If that statistic is even marginally accurate, the chances that a group, organization, or assembly you belong to have this as a prevailing veiwpoint are strong.
Glenn Greenwald, a blogger whom I've come to respect and follow states,
How do we define greatness? Do we characterize greatness by military might, economy, freedom, democratic tendencies? Are we really better and our foreign endeavors more just?
John 18:36 (NIV)- Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Matthew 5:3-10 (NIV)-
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Reading those verses doesn't inspire me to feel American exceptionalism. In fact, it doesn't make me feel exceptional at all. What do you think?
Steve Benen of Washington Monthly noted Obama saying, "the United States isn't like other countries; ours is a country with unique power, responsibilities, and moral obligations."
Regularly throughout the President's address I remember hearing the words responsibility, calling, greatest country, etc. It became certain to many who may not have believed it before that the president does indeed believe in American exceptionalism. Administrations have long been using such rhetoric when addressing the American people, especially as it pertains to foreign policy.
At this moment a pertinent question needs to be asked, is this belief in American exceptionalism limited to government officials, politicians, and the president? Or is it a prevailing belief in the United States transcending race, gender, politics and religion? A Gallup poll from late last year found that 80% of Americans believe their country "has a unique character that makes it the greatest country in the world." If that statistic is even marginally accurate, the chances that a group, organization, or assembly you belong to have this as a prevailing veiwpoint are strong.
Glenn Greenwald, a blogger whom I've come to respect and follow states,
"The probability that I happened to be born in the greatest country on Earth -- or, even more so, the greatest country ever to exist on Earth in all of human history -- is minute. Isn't it far more likely that I believe this because I was taught to, rather than because it's true?" (Source)Greenwald focuses on the foreign policy consequences of holding the exceptionalist viewpoint. Exceptionalism can take different forms and result in different consequences. Stephen Walt argues,
"The only real difference between neocons and liberal interventionists is that the latter insist on legitimizing their wars through the U.N. while the former don't care to."Moving away from foreign policy, I want to bring this issue a little closer to home. Although the Gallop poll mentioned earlier is merely a poll, what if that number is true? What if that is the prevailing viewpoint in our churches today? Is it wrong to believe the United States is the greatest country in the world?
How do we define greatness? Do we characterize greatness by military might, economy, freedom, democratic tendencies? Are we really better and our foreign endeavors more just?
John 18:36 (NIV)- Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Matthew 5:3-10 (NIV)-
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Reading those verses doesn't inspire me to feel American exceptionalism. In fact, it doesn't make me feel exceptional at all. What do you think?
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