I was talking to a friend, Alex, tonight. He received some ridiculous bulletin on myspace about the establishment of a White History Day. What the?  Ironically enough, this myspace page that apparently exists to create racial equality is covered in comments containing racial slurs.  Ignorant much?  After a bit of discussion with Alex, and reading his bulletin of ranting in response, I decided that I was irritated enough by this ignorance to bitch about it myself. This was further fueled by the poster (who shall remain nameless) of the bulletin in question who is even now continuing to vehemently defended his “white heritage” over two hours after the bulletin was posted.

For those of you too disgusted (or lazy) to read the bulletin, I’ll give you the gist. Basically, there are many American holidays that are celebrated by ethnic minorities - but none *gasp* that are allocated to “white ethnicity”. The poster of this bulletin argues that it is mortally unfair that “whites” are restricted from celebrating their heritage in the same manner as holidays such as Black History Month.

Generally, holidays serve a purpose. Holidays celebrating ethnic diversity (and all historical holidays for that matter) have been created throughout history to mark milestones. Some are linked to a specific date and a specific incident, while others (like Black History Month) are established for remembrance, education and awareness. Each country has their own holidays that are specific to the cultural development of that country, targeting cultures and heritages that have helped shape their society.

“White” is not a heritage. Half of our globe is made up of people of white skin. There’s as much ethnic diversity between Caucasians as there is between people of an entire spectrum of colours. “Caucasian” is made up of a series of subsets that hold their own heritages. Two thrown out by the poster of the bulletin were German and Swedish (his heritage that is so poorly and unfairly represented in America). Both of these countries have their own holidays in their respective countries that celebrate their cultural heritage. If one day I decided to pack up and relocate to America, should I begin complaining about the obviously racist intentions of not including a day dedicated to Australian’s in the American calender? Of course not. Australian’s have played no important role in the historical development of American society. I may as well move to a country that doesn’t speak English and start demanding they all learn it to accommodate me.

Ethnic holidays are based on nationalities. Asian holidays are for people of Asian-American heritage. Hispanic holidays are for people of Hispanic-American heritage (Mexican, Cuban, etc.). “Black” holidays refer to those celebrated by people of African-American heritage. Africa and Asia are continents. Mexico, Cuba and other Latin areas are countries. I may not have been a whizz in geography, but where exactly is “Caucasian” on the map? Skin colour and heritage are two completely different concepts. What exactly would a “white holiday” celebrate? Everyone sits around at a barbeque, shooting off fireworks and discussing the colour of their skin?

I could rant about this all day, but it’s past midnight now so I will leave it at that. A little food for thought.