From Bah Humbug to Billionaires: A Holiday Rant with a Dickensian Twist
How Dickens’ Classic Inspires Dreams of Transformation in Today’s Unequal World
Queerly Beloved,
There I was, sitting on a wet straw bale in a wagon being pulled by two beautiful Clydesdales, riding out into the forest to a magical stage in a snowy field. The wet three-degree Celsius rain threatened to dampen our spirits, but the anticipation of the performance, a hot cup of whiskey-laced cider, and the promise of cheering Scrooge’s transformation kept us warm enough to brave the soggy straw. Last night, I went with family and friends to Caravan Park Theatre's rendition of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol near Armstrong, BC. While the play was written in 1843, I couldn’t help but be present to echoes of Christmas 2024.
Why is it that some of the world’s wealthiest seem to want to take their own misery out on those who don’t experience the privilege of money? Or are they so focused on wealth accumulation that they are impervious to the struggles of folks who are stressed out trying to pay bills, keep a roof over their heads, and buy groceries? I’m really starting to despise the word "oligarch." When I heard it in the past, it brought up images of rich and corrupt Russians who used their wealth to dominate political and global affairs. Now the name at the top of the list seems to be Elon Musk, a Canadian-South African migrant who wants to hold the keys to power in the United States. You’d think that with all his wealth he’d see fit to help solve problems around poverty, but instead, he wants to use his money to dominate politics with the apparent endgame of increasing his wealth.
The horses and wagons carried us back to the final scene of the play. The rain had finally stopped, and some shimmering stars began to appear in the night sky while a transformed Scrooge shocked his community with a complete change of heart and attitude. A fitful night’s sleep of tormenting dreams had pulled him from the error of his ways, and he gained a new way of looking at himself and the world around him.
As Christmas approaches, I can only dream of cold hearts being warmed and the eyes of the plundering oligarchs opened to a new way of seeing the world. Dickens’ tale is as relevant now as it was nearly two centuries ago. Its message of compassion, transformation, and social responsibility resonates deeply in an era where economic disparities continue to widen. Like Scrooge, perhaps the world’s wealthiest might one day see that true wealth lies not in hoarded riches but in the well-being and joy of the communities they have the power to uplift.
This holiday season, let’s carry forward the hope and the belief that even the hardest of hearts can change. May we all, in our own ways, strive to embody the spirit of generosity, kindness, and care that can transform not just individuals but entire communities. As the stars glimmer above snowy fields and the echoes of Scrooge’s transformation linger, let’s dare to dream.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Queer Granddad