Been thinking' about...DEI

All through 2025, I have been following the political and legal skirmishes over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). That work-place initiative has splashed into our daily lives. Seems to me that several dozen organizations are now committed to fracturing the country. Every one of them claim the "RIGHTS" of their constituents have been, are or will be violated, and demand redress NOW. Each group has its own set of "FACTS" that are the "PROOF" of their position and should "PREVAIL" in the courts. All this wrangling seemed to contradict what I experience each December day on the streets, in the stores and the homes in several neighborhoods.

Around the holidays, I have friends who celebrate in different ways. Some light a special set of candles. Others bake a unique kind of bread. Some pray kneeling on a rug.  A few have a tree made of crab-pot wire. Others kill a live tree and festoon it with stuff their children made in school. One chap does all his shopping while sitting at his computer clicking Amazon. Another lady shops for Christmas gifts all year long. Some of my older friends still go to a Protestant Church at night on December 24th. Most of my friends begin playing songs about the holidays around the 5th of December…"Santa Baby" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sharing the billing with "Silent Night."

I have one friend who makes marvelous Greek pastries and another who is a whiz at German strudel. Both of them wrap these goodies in holiday paper and distribute them in time for a Christmas morning treat. Nearly everyone I know has some form of turkey, ham and stuffing for their Christmas lunch or dinner…but, what kind of stuffing depends upon their family traditions…the kind Grandma used to make, the kind Momma makes, or the new recipe we’re trying this year. Just remember that now the USDA advises NOT TO STUFF THE INSIDE of the TURKEY! On New Year’s Day, a friend makes sure we have collards to go with black-eyed peas and ham.

 Muslims struggle with the Christian Christmas but still decorate their homes and exchange gifts. They see the Jesus story from a different perspective. So do most of the retail merchants I know. I am still waiting for a Christmas TV ad that features Jesus and a manger. Consumer Reports claims that December is the best time to buy carpet cleaners and wireless speakers and everyone knows that this is the "Best time of the year to buy a new or used car." For whatever reason, Christmas sweaters seem to have gone out of style but the Budweiser Clydesdales never will!

As I ride around the neighborhoods, some folks have lighted ice cycles hanging from the edges of their roofs with blow-up Santas in the yard while others have nothing…nada…not even a fake candle in a window. In the Food Lion where I shop, the staff and the customers all seem a bit more friendly and courteous. Maybe that’s because there is some Claxton Old Fashioned  Fruitcake on the shelves.

I’ve started watching the holiday "Bowl Games" and notice that the players just have numbers on their jerseys. When the commentators describe them, players are a name, a position, maybe a college or university but rarely a nationality and never a religion or gender. The NBA decided that we needed five games to watch on December 25 in case we had nothing better to do. Years ago, the NHL decided not to play on Christmas Day. If you are really into sports, the latest thing to enjoy is betting, whatever money you have left over from holiday spending, on your favorite outcome…winner, most points, any kind of spread or next event…or, just a scratch-off if you are too full of turkey to think.

From the first decoration until our tree goes to the curb, diversity, equity and inclusion just seem to be a normal part of  Christmas and New Year  everywhere. LOVE. JOY. PEACE ON EARTH! No need for Federal laws and programs or political controversy.  Just the holiday spirit all year long…I wish that could become the American Way! As we begin the new year, perhaps we could try it in North Carolina.

 ESSE QUAM VIDERI.