12.8.16

Page 1

THE ’BIRD THE VIDETTE PRESENTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016 Vol. 129 / No. 30

videtteonline

Tie up your year

Celebrate through timeless traditions DEB BETHEL Features Reporter | @thedebbethel

W

hether it is Michael Buble’s “White Christmas” on the car radio, the peppermint added to a cup of hot chocolate or the abundance of ugly sweaters, people have favorite ways of showing their holiday spirit. Whether observing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other holidays, many look at the winter months as a time to be with family and to celebrate the end of the year. Some choose to cozy up during the snowy days and enjoy classic holiday movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Elf,” “Eight Crazy Nights” or “Home Alone” adorned in fuzzy socks while sipping on some eggnog. Others are more inclined to enjoy the cold weather festivities outdoors by ice skating in the city, having snowball fights or going to the local tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree. Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Michael Dougherty said symbols and traditions play an important role in culture and society. “These symbols and traditions are special to us because they have been consistent symbols throughout our lives,” Dougherty said. “Without these symbols and traditions, the holidays would be any other day.” He said these symbols and traditions also shape our ideas on holidays. “If we referred to our Christmas trees as ‘lost opportunities to sequester carbon’ instead, or our Christmas lights as ‘unnecessary consumption of fossil fuels,’ then these things would produce very different feelings in us. So, we should embrace symbols and traditions, they help us make sense of our lives,” Dougherty said. While many may only think of Christmas when imagining the winter holidays, Illinois State University’s diverse population celebrates in many different ways. Stephanie Nold, a sophomore English education major, enjoys being around family and giving presents, but as a Buddhist she also celebrates the Winter Solstice. “The Winter Solstice is just celebrating the start of the winter season,” Nold said. “There’s a lot of different things someone can do to celebrate. On the night of Dec. 21, I meditate, and the morning of Dec. 22, when the sun rises, I light candles, eat, drink and be merry.” Another student who celebrates the holidays in a different way is sophomore geography major Yael Uziel, who celebrates Hanukkah. During the eight days of Hanukkah, many Jewish families light the menorah, eat traditional meals and sing prayers together to remember the story of Hanukkah. see TRADITIONS page 6 Senior speech pathology major Desiree Moretti decorates her Christmas tree for the holiday season. Photograph Jenna Kadziulis | Vidette Photo Editor

COUNCIL DISCUSSES FUTURE OF PORTILLOS NEWS 3

ALL-GENDER BATHROOMS GOOD FOR ISU

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO MILWAUKEE

VIEWPOINT 4

SPORTS 7


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.