Kathmandu— With tense family gatherings looming this holiday season, labor journalist Matt Witt’s new book, *Make Holidays Your Own*, offers a guide to celebrating major days in ways that are more historically accurate, inclusive, and meaningful. The book gained relevance after Francesca Hong, a Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor, faced criticism during her campaign over past social media posts questioning the value of holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. While Hong ultimately lost the primary, the controversy highlighted how easily candidates can be targeted for challenging established traditions.

Campaign Controversy Highlights Holiday Debate

The New York Times described the backlash against Hong as a “social media kerfuffle,” stemming from her past comments on holidays. Despite polling strongly beforehand, she lost the August 11 primary, with some voters like John Wilson, a Wisconsin pharmacist who usually leans Democratic, citing her views on Thanksgiving as a reason to support the Republican candidate. Even if Hong had won, she faced an uphill battle convincing voters skeptical of her positions on traditional celebrations.

Labor Day's Origins and Intent

Witt’s book delves into the political origins of holidays, revealing that Labor Day was initially created as a counter to international workers’ movements in the late 19th century. President Grover Cleveland, backed by business interests, sought to replace May Day—an internationally recognized day for labor protests—with a U.S.-specific holiday on the first Monday in September, effectively disconnecting American unions from their global counterparts. Witt notes that today, ironically, the lowest-paid workers are least likely to receive Labor Day off with pay.

Reclaiming and Transforming Celebrations

The author points to successful examples of holidays being reclaimed or transformed to reflect progressive values, such as the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of Columbus Day. He also highlights how May Day has experienced a resurgence in recent decades, with demonstrations focusing on workers' rights and social justice. Furthermore, some veterans’ groups are now using Memorial Day and Veterans Day to advocate for peace and justice rather than simply celebrating military conflicts.

A Call for Meaningful Celebrations

Witt argues that holidays hold significant cultural weight, reinforcing societal values and passing them on to future generations. He emphasizes that reimagining these celebrations doesn’t require universal agreement; individuals can celebrate in ways that align with their own beliefs while respecting the traditions of others. According to Witt, “In every culture, holidays matter… They come with a message and symbols — with a story that reinforces a certain way of looking at society and passes on certain values to the next generation.”

Proceeds Support Progressive Education

All proceeds from *Make Holidays Your Own* will be donated to Rethinking Schools, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting social, economic, and environmental justice in education. Witt hopes his book will inspire educators to develop fresh ideas for holiday celebrations that are both engaging and aligned with progressive values.

The book offers a timely exploration of how holidays can be reimagined to reflect contemporary values, providing a framework for more meaningful and inclusive celebrations.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.