45. REFLECTION ON TIMES
For the past couple of years in Victoria, BC (where I now live), a city councillor has questioned the public installation of seasonal (Christmas) decorations. First came a call for more cultural diversification as publicly-funded decorations were primarily suggestive of Christianity. The next year, he argued that the reduction/elimination of decorations could serve as a cost-saving measure. This year with the advent of COVID-19, changes have fallen in line with restrictions to inhibit public gatherings. However, within my condo building, where for our 9 years in residence, the common areas have been festooned with lighted tree, baubles, wreaths, garlands, etc. and for the first time been met with an accusation of hegemony. In reporting the complaint, the strata council included a definition of hegemony in its minutes. The term hegemony – dominance or control by a specific group – had not become part of my vocabulary until much later in my formal education. However, as a child growing u...