In Defense of Mr. Grinch

Every year, I look forward to hearing the well-known cadence of the famous, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and to watch multiple versions of “How the Grinch stole Christmas.” I am drawn to the green, hairy, guy who makes me laugh, and think. Every year that I watch the Grinch, I find another detail that I missed the last time. The way the story of the Grinch is told, one gets the sense that this green, hairy, yellow-eyed guy is a monster. But now that I have put away the lights and decorations of Christmas, I want to mount a defense of Mr. Grinch. To do this, I must dig into the heart of a story often oversimplified into a tale of a Christmas-hating villain. This narrative, deeply embedded in our cultural consciousness, warrants a critical re-examination, especially in light of the Grinch’s experiences of othering by the people of Whoville.

At the core of the Grinch’s story is this deep sense of alienation. He was not born with a disdain for Christmas; rather, his attitude was shaped by the experiences of exclusion and the stark othering by the Whos. The Whos, often depicted as the epitome of joy and community, failed to extend their inclusiveness to the Grinch, highlighting a significant blind spot in their seemingly perfect society. This exclusion is not just a personal affront to the Grinch but a societal failing that calls into question the very values the Whos claim to uphold. Am I in your neighborhood yet?

Furthermore, the incident involving the unjust Mayor of Whoville and Betty-Lou Who is particularly telling. The Mayor’s action in stealing Betty-Lou Who’s victory to favor his own interests is a blatant display of power misuse, a symptom of the underlying issues in Whoville’s social structure. It was not just the act itself that was reprehensible but also the passive complicity of the judges and other Whos, who stood by in silence, knowing that the Mayor’s actions were unethical. This incident is emblematic of a society that, under the guise of harmony and happiness, allows injustice to flourish unchecked. In the face of such ungodly behavior, my Granny often stated, “If there is no upholder, there can be no crook.” In other words, nobody abuses power without the support of at least a few people. 

The Grinch’s actions, then, can be seen not merely as acts of rebellion against Christmas but as a protest against the abject greed and hypocrisy of Whoville. His intention was never to steal Christmas in its essence but to challenge the materialistic and exclusionary practices that had come to define it in Whoville. The Grinch's actions were a mirror held up to the Whos, forcing them to confront the uncomfortable truth about their society and their complicity in sustaining a culture of othering.

Thus, the story of the Grinch is a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between societal norms, othering, and individual actions. It urges us to look beyond the surface and understand the deeper motivations behind actions that may initially seem incomprehensible. The Grinch, in his own unique way, was a catalyst for change in Whoville, exposing the flaws in their community and prompting a re-evaluation of their values. It is through understanding and addressing these underlying issues that true community spirit and inclusivity can be achieved.

With the over-commercialization of Christmas and the pretentiousness we see daily, I say that the world needs Mr. Grinch. I mean, where was 'Good Ole Santa Claus' when the other reindeer were bullying 'Poor Rudolph?' 

#grinch #christmas #theology #defendingthegrinch