Celebrating Holidays at Work
As we celebrate July 4th this week, it is an excellent time to think about the dos and don’ts for celebrating holidays at a non-profit organization. Celebrating holidays is an important part of the culture of organizations. Diverse cultures celebrate in a variety of ways and have different holidays. As an organization moves from a monocultural mindset to an intercultural mindset, it is important for an organization to understand its culture better and also understand the culture of the staff, the community, and the people that are being served. You don’t want to commit any faux pas when you celebrate holidays at your organization either. Here is a list of three dos and don’ts for celebrating holidays at work.
Don’t Use Stereotypes
When celebrating holidays at your organization, avoid using stereotypes. I have unfortunately seen many a “Fiesta Themed” party where people wear sombreros, ponchos, and black mustaches. These costumes perpetuate false beliefs about the way Latinx people dress and look. They perpetuate stereotypes. Don’t use stereotypes when celebrating holidays at your organization, nor advertise your party using stereotypes. Avoid stereotypical decorations, food, or music.
The Rev. Young-Mee Park is a United Methodist pastor who works in multicultural churches. She says, “Stereotypes are hurtful and harmful. They lock people into categories. They are simplistic, limiting, rigid, and judgmental. They are used unconsciously and reactively.” (1) Instead of using stereotypes, use generalizations. Rev. Park states, “Generalizations are helpful. They are an attempt to capture similarities and principles. They are descriptive, flexible, and informative. They are used consciously and analytically.” (2)
An example of generalization is that some cultures are family/group-oriented and other cultures are more individualistic oriented. You could accordingly analyze if your staff and community would like to celebrate individually or together, or even invite their family to celebrate as well. When celebrating holidays at your organization use generalizations; do not use stereotype.
Do Create a Holiday Plan
It is important to have a holiday plan, to lay out ahead of time the way that your organization would like to celebrate, how they would like to celebrate, and what holidays they would like to celebrate. Planning helps your organization not fall into assumptions and stereotypes. It is also important to have a plan so that your organization can have consistent messaging and make sure all the staff is aware of the holiday plan.
Create a holiday calendar and create a social media calendar outlining what is going to be posted. Even social media posts can fall into stereotypes and possibility offend people. That is why it is especially important to create a plan and communicate that plan to your staff.
Do Celebrate Different Holidays
It is important that you celebrate different holidays, not just the “normal” holidays that are on the calendar. Each culture and community has its own holidays. Do research and listen to the staff and the community to see what holidays are special to them and how and why they celebrate them. Highlight these holidays. Different communities celebrate holidays with diverse kinds of traditions. Highlight the different traditions as well. Make sure that you don’t fall into cultural appropriation, but respectfully highlight and celebrate the holidays that are important to the staff and the community. Get input while creating the holiday plan.
Celebrating holidays can be a fun way to learn about each other and about diverse cultures. With respect, research, learning, listening, and planning, an organization can celebrate holidays in an intercultural way. The process is not easy or quick, but following these three Dos and Don’ts can help your organization move in a positive direction.
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References:
(1) Segment 3: Every appointment is cross cultural video, https://michiganumc.org/clergy-excellence/pastoral-transition/
(2) Segment 3: Every appointment is cross cultural video, https://michiganumc.org/clergy-excellence/pastoral-transition/
