There Isn't a War on Christmas. There's a Fight for Inclusivity.

Theres a movement happening, but to limit it to Christmas is missing the point. Its a broader ideological war on ignorance, racism, misplaced power, and white supremacy in a time when hate is often amplified.

If you own a TV or have internet access, then theres a good chance youre familiar with the War on Christmas, a phenomenon that has received a growing amount of attention since 2004 with Bill OReilly and Fox News .

Essentially, in his now cancelled show, The O'Reilly Factor, OReilly conveyed the sentiment that Christmas was being attacked all over the country, citing factors such as parades not including holiday floats or public schools not permitting Christian symbols in classrooms. As others have previously noted , its important to put this into context: specifically that OReilly announced this war just three years after September 11th and 20 months after the United States invaded Iraq. This was a time of fear and uncertainty.

Theres no question that Fox News took advantage of these events to fearmonger, divide, and encourage tribalism. And what better way to do so than announcing that theres a full-fledged attack on one of Americas most cherished days: Christmas.

But the War on Christmas didnt end with Fox News in 2004

Remember the outcry when Starbucks first changed their coffee cups from Christmas-themed to holiday-themed ? Or perhaps more recently when Donald Trump vowed to make Americans say Merry Christmas again?

By the way, there was plenty of Christmas before Trump...

The facade of a war on Christmas continues today despite the majority of citizens classifying themselves as Christians, and Christmas itself making up nearly 20% of annual sales for the retail industry. Theres even an increasing number of non-Christians participating in Christmas activities. As a Jew, I certainly participate in Christmas-related activities, from listening to music to decorating trees. In terms of economic impact and cultural presence, no other religion even comes close in America.

So, why do some conservatives still insist that theres a war on Christmas?

Turns out theyre not totally wrong

There is a movement happening, but to limit it to Christmas is missing the point completely. Describing it as a War on Christmas is a cop-out, a dismissal, an excuse, a way to disguise hazardous nationalism as religious freedom.

Its not a war on Christmas, its a broader war on ignorance, racism, abuses of power, and white supremacy.

Its also a fight for something for inclusivity, equality, and empathy an ideological fight for a fairer, more diverse future. Not a future where we toss around the term American Dream, or where the top 1% holds nearly half the national wealth, or where critical voices are silenced.

While bigotry, racism, and hate have always existed, it seems that these points of views have only been amplified since the 2016 Presidential Election. Hate crimes have increased . White supremacists have been more vocal . A travel ban targeting six Muslim-majority countries was approved. You cant go on social media without seeing anti-semitism. Some are even using religion as an excuse to vote Roy Moore, an alleged pedophile, into the Senate.

So, Im sorry about your coffee cups, but when I hear that theres a War on Christmas, what I really hear is ignorance, or worse, that theres a group who is afraid of those who are different who look different, who hold different beliefs, who observe different traditions.

Heres the thing, and its non-debatable: Its these differences that make America what it is. We should be acknowledging and celebrating them every chance we get, not trying to reduce or silence them. The need to actively support inclusivity at all levels feels, and is, important. Declaring that theres a War on Christmas in 2017 further emphasizes a dangerous, and real, concept an us vs them mentality and only makes this need more urgent.

Its easy to be cynical, but theres hope

Danica Roem, Virginias first transgender legislator, was elected in November . Democrat Phil Murphy replaced Chris Christie in New Jersey. Organizations such as Run for Something and Swing Left are helping to empower the next generation of candidates while driving progressive ideals. Whats more, political engagement is reaching new heights , especially among younger citizens. TIME's Person of the Year" was awarded to the 'Silence Breakers' those who stood up to abusers and harassers.

As demoralizing as this year has been, there have been instances that suggest a turning point on the horizon.

Let me be clear: Im not asking anyone to stop saying Merry Christmas. Im not asking anyone to stop singing carols or stop decorating trees. You can have your Starbucks coffee cups back for all I care. Like many Non-Christians, I have grown to enjoy the charm of Christmas time.

Im simply reminding us all to practice empathy, regardless of the season, and to be sensitive to the fact that our neighbors hold many different beliefs and come from many different backgrounds. AND THATS A GOOD THING. As we move into 2018, Im echoing others and asking us to choose hope over fear as we push for an America that we can all be proud of. Remember, those proclaiming that theres a War on Christmas are not the victims.

This isnt about Christmas. Its about progress.