MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! First off, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Arowana Life wishes you all the joy and cheer during this time of year. Secondly, if you are actually reading this on Christmas Day, stop surfing the internet and go hang out with family and friends…after you read our entry of course. hahaha. For you religious peeps, Christmas is known for the birth of Jesus Christ, the man himself. Hence the term Christ’s Mass aka Christmas. But for those who just like more festive celebrations, this is where Santa Claus and his reindeer’s make his rounds with presents to give to all the good kids. Lights, singing, exchanging gifts, fun for all. Its more of a Western culture thang but I think more and more countries accepted this tradition too.

Did you know that the image of Santa Claus was created by a German American cartoonist, Thomas Nast.

Back in 1863, during the American Civil War, Nast tried to promote more of a peaceful outlook to help citizens get through tough times. He became very political in his cartoons which also played an important role in the election of President Ulysses Grant aka FIFTY DOLLA BILL.

But here’s the interesting thing people including myself didn’t know. Nast was the cartoonist who drew these very famous political cartoons that supported American Indians, Chinese Americans and supported the abolishment of slavery. Here is his most famous cartoon “Worst than Slavery” where it shows a Ku Klux Klan and White League member shaking hands, joining together to burn down a black family’s house. CRAZY!

I remember seeing these at the Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco and my Asian American classes. Crazy huh! He also dealt with segregation like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the violence that the Ku Klux Klan did during that time. Check them out!

Sometimes you just have to reflect on how far this country I call home has come. I can only thank my parents and grandparents who’ve sacrificed so much to give me these opportunities in life. Christmas is a time to rejoice and celebrate life. It kinda feels like since the new year is coming that everyone now gets a chance to start new again. A new change, a new perspective, or even a new direction. But either way, another chance. Its yours for the taking.
I’ve included the classic Home Alone scene because I always relate Christmas to this movie, especially the soundtrack. Enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!