Looking back on the whole of 2020, there isn’t a lot to be happy about. I can’t help but feel this year—more than any other—has shown how the moral values of altruism and thoughtfulness have been drowned out by the very funny but very vocal “fuck you, got mine” mentality. It’s only become more prevalent to me as we get closer to the holidays, what with its entire brand being about selflessness. It just doesn’t mix with what we’ve all seen of people this year, and the inherent hypocrisy makes me uneasy.
To see if my ambivalence aligned with others, I searched up “Holiday Spirit 2020” on Google’s news feed to see what would pop up. The top story was a fluff piece from Fox News.
And so because it’s the holidays and I feel the need to have some ounce of levity, I’m comparing the entirety of this year to one big Christmas school play. You know the one. The type of play that parents attend so they can coo at their kids’ costumes despite their garbage acting.
Act One: Picture It Now
The play starts with an ongoing set piece that won’t stop. There are too many self-important kids saying they want to be 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒮𝒯𝒜𝑅 of the show, even though they’re casted like…as a horse or something. No one is sticking to the script, and it’s all just really bad improv. The teacher truly does not care for any of them. He is paid to be there. He puts on a face to keep people from suspecting him of being completely and utterly indifferent to these kids’ behavioral plights. This all leads to chaos. The show is running itself into shambles. This could have been prevented, but “fuck them kids,” says the teacher out loud to himself, checking his phone to see if the direct deposit of his Christmas bonus hit yet (this is a private school).
Act Two: Bullies
The group of students who work as scene crew intentionally ruin the play as it progresses into Act Two. The light isn’t centered correctly, props aren’t being shifted properly between scene transitions, etc. This is all in protest to many of the kids who’ve been bullied constantly by the infamous hall monitors that enforce school attendance rules. For many kids, they were bullied to the point of having to change schools or even cities. While this issue was brought up in many a PTA meeting, nothing was actually done. The hall monitors were not held accountable for their actions, mainly because their parents were affluent donors. School staff simply gave lip service. So some of these kids decided enough was enough. They lost friends to the issue. So what’s the best way to protest if not ruin the biggest school play of the year—also the biggest opportunity for the school to receive donations?
Act Three: The State of the School
As the play stumbles towards its end, whisperings among parents in the audience are heard—mentions of the absolutely dilapidated state the school’s theater is in.
“Not to sound crude, but this place looks like a gulag,” says one overly botoxed, bob cutted mother in her self-proclaimed 30s.
The conversations among the audience grow louder, as they discuss how the school itself doesn’t look all that up to par, despite how much they’re paying for tuition. Some argue back that the prestige of the school should quell their doubts. If they want to see the school improve, they simply need to donate.
A large portion are not taken in by the idea. The place is clearly in a state of disarray no matter how you look at it. The contention between the two groups grows tense. But all is well when the play’s end signals them to stand up and give applause.
Act 3.5: Time For Change (Sort of)
Following the disaster of the school play which greatly affected their bottom line, the school’s board of education ultimately decides to fire the teacher responsible. They replace him with one whose distaste for children is a little more lukewarm. And while some students are breathing a sigh of relief, some are still uneasy as to what will happen next with this new classroom instructor.
As much of a miser I might be right now, I’m well aware it’s due to how mass media has essentially been non-stop with highlighting how horrible people (and the systems we live in) can be. I’m trying to tell myself it’s not all bad, especially since statistics have shown that people this year have in fact been more caring somewhat.
Still, it says a lot to see communities help those in need through mutual aid groups and such—especially during these times. So if you’re in the giving spirit of the holidays, why not research some organizations in your local community that are doing just that? And if you have the capacity to, why not donate to them?
The Dang Void 