Baby It's Crazy Outside

"Words, too, have genuine substance - mass and weight and specific gravity." - Tim O'Brien, from the novel “Tomcat in Love.”

Words are my jam. Putting the right ones together doesn't always happen, but it's always my goal. Just as anything that has substance, they can be used in very different ways. The same words can offend one person, comfort another, or not matter at all to someone else. Some words are sent skyward or into the universe in the form of prayer, and those words vary a great deal in what they mean to each of us. That is why freedom of speech, the press, and religion came first in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. After "We the people" and all the articles dealing with money, taxes, Congress, etc. the founding fathers thought to add a few other bits concerning citizens and it seems to me that the main concern was how we get to express ourselves.

So, free speech, yes, that means we can falsely yell "MOVIE!" in a crowded firehouse, right? No, it doesn't but honestly, free speech is pretty broad, and that is a good thing. Recently, there has been somewhat of a Christmas kerfuffle over the words to a few songs. Well, mostly one song in particular, "Baby It's Cold Outside." It's only ever played at this time of year, but it never mentions anything about Christmas. It was written by Jewish composer Frank Loesser as a duet for him and his wife to sing at a housewarming party when their guests were leaving. It was never meant as a holiday carol. I don't believe it was ever intended as anything but a flirty and fun song between two consenting adults, but, like everything wordy, the meaning varies depending on who's listening.

It wasn't the only piece of entertainment to be scrutinized this season. Critics went after my beloved Peanuts gang, alleging racism because in the Thanksgiving special Franklin, an African American child, is sitting all alone on one side of the table and he is given a beach chair while everyone else has a sturdier chair. I'm sorry if I'm missing something here, but all the chairs were mismatched because this gang of kids was playing around having a meal together before having to go off with their respective (and always unseen) parents for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. 


My brother and I used to drag assorted chairs out to our sidewalk, line them up, and play "bus driver.” All the other kids would hop on our bus while Larry, who always got to drive, hollered out the stops. I honestly can't remember which kid sat in what chair, but now I find myself hoping that no one had to sit alone (or G-d forbid in the back of the bus) in the chair that had a wonky leg. Truthfully, they all had loose legs or torn cushions because we kept schlepping them around the yard and the street. 


Reality check people: It's a cartoon special where a dog and his little bird friend cook a meal, could we not make it a thing? It's about friends who gather together and share a meal. Did you think that the tradition of "Friendsgiving" came from a sitcom in the 90s? No, you have Charles M. Schultz to thank for that.

Then Rudolph was in trouble. Because he was bullied. So was Hermey, the elf/dentist. So was the abominable snowman, who was only grumpy because he was in pain. Toys were referred to "misfits" because they were different. Bullying, name-calling, mocking of physical differences, oh the humanity! The story ended well though so can't we just appreciate that? Again, it's a show made up of wooden, puppet-like fictional characters (well, except for Santa, he's real) singing and making toys. This is not the stuff of serious social commentary. It's a kiddy show. Seriously? People are bent about these shows and songs, but no one was ever bothered by a group of kids who hung around a schoolyard every day with a creepy purple dinosaur telling them they were special? What about Family Guy? The Simpsons? It's reached a most ridiculous point, and, given the political climate today, that is saying something.

Are some shows, songs, and traditions from the past problematic in today's world? Definitely. Many have gone away, and as time goes on, we will get smarter and more aware.  As the saying goes "When you know better, you do better." However, we are not ever going to make any progress focusing on the small stuff, and honestly, much of what has come under fire this season is exactly that. Let's look at the big picture, which does not include Snoopy popping corn and making toast, elves that want to be dentists or a song about a snowstorm and a few drinks.

Words do mean things; sometimes they convey some very serious concepts, and when they do we should pay attention. If we are going to get stuck in the muck and mire of dissecting cartoons and silly songs, we won't ever get anywhere. Let Rudolph, Snoopy, Woodstock and the rest do their thing, and let's all do our thing, which hopefully includes time spent with loving family, friends and maybe even an elf or a popcorn popping dog. My words this season are simple and mean only this: "Peace be with you and yours in this season of joy and hope."