“We are not prohibiting or discouraging the use of the word Christmas. Obviously not », the explanation given to La Stampa. “Celebrating Christmas and using Christian names and symbols is part of the rich European heritage”.
BRUSSELS. Society changes, and then you have to adapt. Faced with the need to come to terms with reality, the European Commission engages in an internal exercise which, however, turns out to be rather slippery. In the name of inclusion and respect, in a society where concepts of family and couple life become more varied, even the names make the difference. One way or the other. The internal guidelines for work at the technical and institutional level provide for the possibility of eliminating the traditional formulas “ladies and gentlemen”, “ladies and gentlemen”, to take into account the changed gender context, and to maintain a more “neutral” profile, through the choice of expressions such as “delegates” or “colleagues”. Again, overcome the distinction between Mrs (Mrs) and Miss (Miss), and enroll with a more generic Ms.
For the community executive, all this is explained by the need to treat everyone in such a way as to avoid references to gender, ethnicity, race. The basic idea is the following: specify only if requested by the interested party, otherwise stay on neutrality. For some, this is an excess of politically correct, and traditionally more conservative forces rise up. In Italy it is the center-right that attacks the European Commission for its internal document, focusing in particular on the question of Christmas. Yes, Christmas.
In the document that serves to explain how to carry out a truly inclusive communication that takes into account cultural diversity, examples are also given with a religious background. It is suggested to avoid going into detail, and to refer to “parties”. Suggestions that are worth a question from the Forza Italia delegation in the European Parliament. “It is unacceptable that we want to ban words that recall Christmas,” thunders the head of delegation, Antonio Tajani. «The EU was born to defend and enhance cultures and identities, not to censor them. Respect for the Christian roots of Europe ».
It is the culmination of a debate that in Italy has seen an outcry by the Brothers of Italy and the League, and that around Europe is gathering the applause of the Euro-skeptical and nationalist forces. The EU Commission defends itself. “We are not prohibiting or discouraging the use of the word Christmas. Obviously not », the explanation given to LaStampa. “Celebrating Christmas and using Christian names and symbols is part of the rich European heritage”. The question, continues a spokesman for the EU executive, is knowing how to “give space to the diversity and richness of European cultures” without creating elements of conflict. “This is the general goal. Of course, we can always argue about the examples provided. There could be better ones. But the general objective is diversity ”, and not self-referentiality. The document, it is specified, intends to raise awareness on being inclusive in communication.
The issue is controversial. The Italian Catholic-traditionalists in Brussels are asking for the guidelines to be rewritten, and for clarification on the compatibility of these provisions with the European Convention on Human Rights and its article 10 which establishes the principle of freedom of expression. It is not clear who will respond, the EU has already responded. This is considered to be an excessive hype. However, the clash between which he makes it a matter of principle remains.
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