…was an unnecessarily combative tone and the assertion that she could/has done better, without having the courtesy to be willing to prove it. I understand the issues women face by putting themselves “out there” in an online capacity better than most; if that’s the motivation for not identifying oneself, then one cannot make unsubstantiated claims and expect to be taken seriously. Can’t have your cupcake and eat it, too. The only reason I mentioned “trollery” was just that. On the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog…or an accomplished writer.

I agree. I think she had a point which I agree with, but she could have articulated it without criticizing Nitya’s writing. And anyway, the appropriate response would not be to criticize the author, who wrote the story she wanted to write, but the Washington Post, for not including stories with the opposite perspective i.e., why I don’t celebrate Christmas (which I can kind of understand why they didn’t want to include on Christmas day, but I’m sure there is some masterful writer who could articulate that sentiment without bringing down the Christmas spirit…like a story about a traditional “Jewish Christmas”, i.e Chinese food and a movie).

Unfortunately, the only place where they serve egg nog milkshakes are Steak & Shake and Checkers…at least until New Year’s.

respects,

Now, Nitya’s op-ed can easily be read in this context as participating in the same tendency. It doesn’t take anything away from the authenticity of Nitya’s testimonial. It’s just that such testimonials are pretty common at this season. Perhaps the variation of this testimonial coming from a desi, as opposed to a Jew or a socialist, is something that isn’t all that common yet in mainstream press, but the overall narrative is definitely out there.

I think Tirupathi was pointing this out and perhaps bemoaning the lack of counter-narratives out there in the media around Xmas these days. That’s a fair point and one worth talking about.

What made Tirupathi’s comment unproductive (by causing everyone to jump on her, and the nasty back and forth that followed) was by calling Nitya’s piece bad writing. With respect to the quality of writing, Nitya’s piece is actually excellent. Nitya is a terrific writer. It’s not bad writing, it’s writing ona theme that perhaps some people find is quite common out there in this season, one that raises issues of conformity and materialism and all the other issues that Christmas raises, and that invites counter-narratives, rather than nasty flame wars.

Peace out, y’all.

Wishing everyone peace and love for the last remaining days of the year.

SM Intern, given that the bunker is currently populated by only yourself and one other blogger, I suggest you go ahead and close this thread and enjoy the season’s cheer, which apparently does not exist amongst the masses this year. Even Mutineers deserve a day off now and then, and I’m sure both of you have things you would rather be doing.

oh YEAH? like WHERE?

Seriously though Ms. Gardens, I think we’re all aware what’s been done and not done before, but I just think given the relevance of the day and the fact that such opinions are represented in a somewhat mainstream paper is what made it news worthy. As for rapport making criticisms less admissible, that’s just a facet of human nature.

The story might ring as banal within our community, but it’s news to your average white folk. Your average white folk shrieks in horror when they learn that there exist people in America that haven’t always celebrated Christmas (or now Chanukah), or at the very least, had it as a point of contention within their family. For them it was given, something that just was, something to never think about from any other perspective, but the way they always did.