It's a Proletariat Christmas Manifesto!

About a quarter mile from my apartment, there is a "Revolutionary Bookstore." For those who may not know what that is, let's just say most of the book titles end in the word "Manifesto." The two titles currently on display in the window are "The Anti-American Manifesto" and "A New Society Manifesto."

Being a manifesto sympathizer,* I have wanted to go into this bookstore ever since we moved to Chicago, but I never feel like I'm dressed appropriately. I think to be comfortable I'll need to go a month without showering (which sounds like another good experiment for A.J. Jacobs and his poor wife). Then it is just a matter of assembling a more intimidating wardrobe.

Anyway, I was walking by the store a few days ago and surprised to find it all dolled up with Christmas decorations. I mean, there was a wreath, a tree, and what appeared to be a manger - though that may have simply been a proletariat book stand.

I found this hilarious. It took me back to the good olde Marxist Christmas celebrations of my youth.** Maybe I'm just naive, but this totally blew my expected perceptions of the revolutionary bookstore away. I think I would more expect an anti-Christmas manifesto - something along the lines of Santa representing the oppressive Bourgeoisie attempting to control the means and mode of production and the elves with wage slavery. Instead, I find the words "Merry Christmas" in quaint paper cut-outs hanging from the ceiling. It really is a wonderful life.

I hope you all indeed had a Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays.

*I hope Dick Cheney doesn't get my blog black-listed.

**Again, please do not blacklist me or my blog.