What we can all learn from Santa Claus

Santa Claus is a good teacher of diversity. First, Santa doesn’t fit the image of the slim muscular man. Instead, he is chubby. When children come to sit on his lap in malls, he holds all children and poses with them. He doesn’t care if they are light-skinned or dark-skinned, tall or short, rich or poor. He talks to all of them and doesn’t discriminate when he talks. He asks them all what they want for Christmas.

My favorite Santa’s are not always Caucasian. Instead, they reflect the diversity of the children in the world. I love how they smile and laugh encouraging all children to laugh and smile and even better, to have hope.

Santa is a symbol, one that many children know is not real, but they love him and the spirit he represents anyhow. Children somehow understand that the symbol of Santa is one that asks them to dream, to leap into their imaginations of what could be, to stretch their minds and think about reindeer, even one with a “red nose” still getting to be part of Santa’s team.

The world needs real people to respect the diversity of children always, to teach them to dream. That is why your job is so important. You make a difference.

Have a great day.

Maryln