Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? On episode 24, of My American Meltingpot, we’re talking all about Christmas. More specifically, we’re going to be interrogating the idea that Christmas is for white people! Now, I’m not white and I’ve been celebrating Christmas with my very Black family for more than 40 years, so clearly Christmas isn’t by definition a White People’s holiday, but there are plenty of people of color in America who do not deck the halls or jingle any bells on December 25th. On this episode we try to get to the bottom of why some people of color don’t feel like Christmas is their holiday, even if they are Christians. We also explore the immigrant experience with Christmas, the actual multicultural origins of Christmas, and some ethnic alternatives to a "white" Christmas.
Joining me for this racial rehash of Christmas is Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. Dr. Hill is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. He is the author of several books, including Nobody; Gentrifier; and Beats, Rhymes and Classroom Life. A public intellectual and an award-winning journalist, Dr. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Most recently Dr. Hill opened a bookstore and a community based education center in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.
This episode will have you rethinking the reason for the season in a totally Meltingpot way! For show notes and additional resources about the December holidays, please visit My American Meltingpot.com.