Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, originating from when I was a little girl. The lights, the food, the atmosphere, seeing my family—all of it was so enchanting to me. Christmas is a time for happiness and joy. But recently, a story caught my eye that made me shake my head in disgust.
Recently, certain parents have said they don’t want their children listening to “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” because Santa seems to promote bullying. I have never heard a more ridiculous notion in my entire life. I listened to the song when I was a child, and I never got the notion that Santa promoted bullying.
The whole point of the song is to overcome adversity and to accept one another for our differences. Not only that, but it is a CHILDREN’s song. It was not necessarily written with a specific message. It was intended simply to entertain children.
In today’s world, it seems we need to pick apart every little thing and find a fault with it. Parents get so worked up about their children being affected by things, they fail to realize that children don’t think the same way they do. They hear a song, and they think of a happy tune they can sing along with at Christmas.
I was a victim of childhood bullying for many, many years. I was teased and taunted for so many years. And never, in all that time, did it occur to me that a Christmas song was promoting bullying. Never did it cross my mind that Santa was an adult promoting intolerance or unacceptance. I simply found a song that was a catchy way to celebrate the season I loved. To this day I still love to sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” And I love to watch the TV special too. It is a fun way to ring in the season and, in fact, celebrate each others differences.
I think parents should look at Rudolph as an example of perseverance. Rudolph was teased and tormented by his fellow reindeer for many years just because of something as silly as a glowing nose. But, instead of lashing out and giving up on the world, Rudolph kept up his spirit and found his place. And eventually, people came to accept him for who he was. Santa didn’t promote bullying, he promoted tolerance by having Rudolph save Christmas. I look at this song, and I take it as a symbol of tolerance. I think children should find this song inspiring, rather than degrading.
Parents, don’t tell your children not to listen to Rudolph simply because you think it’s a promoter for bullying. Instead, teach your children how to love each other regardless of their differences. Maybe then the world will be a happier place, instead of one that feels the need to nitpick every little thing in our lives.