Here in Zug, everyone is Christian. Well, they aren't but according to
Europeans, especially the British, "Happy Christmas," is the
only appropriate greeting in December. When I responded with "Happy Hanukkah," to a very Swiss friend he literally looked befuddled. "What, are you a Jewish? Well same to you." Nice. Hope he doesn't put this in my shoe. But, seriously folks I am bi-cultural product of interfaith. Half-Jewish, half-Christian child of hipsters, one New York Jew, and one Ukrainain immigrant and so are most of us multicultural in this world, especially those who we call "third-culture kids." The children of economic expats, or results of religion, culture, nation of origin blind pairing like me.
Besides having more foreigners than any other canton, Zug is also the richest and not by coincidence. Hindus, Muslims, Jews and other faiths make up the state and the city. But, in Zug, yesterday morning when I left my home I saw a tall skinny bishop hat wearing Santa and several monks in blackface. Also there was a camel, children dressed in purple kings and queens robes and people on stilts. Since I grew up in Philly, and have since lived in Bushwick, Japan, France, India, and Israel nothing surprises me. I continued to my yoga class until I looked again at the men in black face. Were they covering their faces out of humility as I learned the medieval monks in Italy do when in procession?
After discussing whether they were aware of the offensiveness of their message, I asked a fellow North American who is now fully Swiss. I finally found out the meaning. Sami Klaus, is St. Nicholas, originally from Turkey, who lived in Spain, which was then a part of Italy. His "helpers" around him were moors, i.e. black servants. Here in Switzerland they are called "schmutzig,"dirty. Mothers will give a list to Sami Klaus, and if you are not a good child, you will be beaten with a stick, or taken up in a sack and removed-forever.
Then Sami Klaus comes to your house asking for money for the Catholic Church. He also marches en masse with cowbells.
This Holiday season, I will be teaching my students about diversity. In faith, in origin, in personality, in life. Global citizenry I call it in an international world. With and without rituals, and nationalism, that which is all a part of this world too, thank G-d.
und en gruess a de Samichlaus ..
as did a writing hero David Sedaris:http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ1202-DEC_SEDARIS
I wanted to add that holidays in the Catholic canton of Zug are much more about ritual than the convictions many of the religious right hold in America. Related to only wishing "Happy Christmas" at an International workplace in an International world in an Internaional town, by not acknowledging the other holidays it offends all non Christmas celebrators. Happy Holidays includes them all, even New Year's. I urge us to be inclusive in our new International world. So that all holidays are celebrated in the appropriate place and time. America is very big on separation of church and state and for this exact reason. Sometimes people think it goes too far, as when "Tebowing" got some US kids suspended. But school or workplaces are no place for religious celebration, unless it is inclusive of all, which is why we keep it separate back home. Glad to see discussion evolving, and helping all world customs to get their day in the sun:)