The holiday season is here and with it comes the debate on the role of political correctness in the celebration of Christmas.

This year, President Donald Trump kicked off the debate on Oct. 13 during his speech when he said “We’re saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again.” Even though Trump brought the debate this year, he did not start the War on Christmas.

The War on Christmas is a complex controversial debate that occurs each winter season. It is a constant battle about the true impact of political correctness on the holiday spirit and the overall impact in general.

The liberal side does not believe that the war is real, but a term made popular by former FOX reporter Bill O’Reilly in 2012. He used the term to generate fear of political correctness among the public.

Alternatively, people with more conservative values use this phrase every chance they get and has even made it a platform idea. They do not want “Christ to be taken out of Christmas”, and wish for people to say “Merry Christmas” so that the holiday will not lose its religious precedence in the American society.

To see the solution, everybody must first understand that the problem lies within the black and white opinions and the solution lies somewhere in the gray area. The War on Christmas is a relevant issue but not because it is imperative to keep the holiday religious.

Rather, political correctness is enforced in today’s society by means of fear culture. If a person does not use the terms that another individual would favor, they are placed in the public’s scrutinizing eye to be judged for their beliefs. Employees of supermarkets and fast food restaurants are told not to say “Merry Christmas” because they fear public discrimination of the company.

Society has declined to such a low that we can no longer say and do as we wish without the perpetual fear of offending someone and losing our jobs. This is a ridiculous issue that will cost people’s livelihoods and/or their freedom of speech.

The effects of political correctness, often endorsed by liberals, must be reversed before a fear-filled society of controlled thoughts and actions is created. Everyone must understand the toxicity of  political correctness being enforced in society.

On  the same level, people with more conservative values are just as deserving of blame. They want everyone to accept Christian beliefs being flaunted in their faces. This is a different angle of the same toxic thought policing behavior that must be stopped.

Each person has the right to believe, do, and say whatever they will as long as it does not impede on another person’s livelihood. The political sides are impeding on other person’s livelihood, as they force people to think the way the political party does. It is morally corrupt to control someone else’s thoughts, actions, or words.

Therefore, we have to be the change. Holiday greetings of all sorts are meant kindly. Next time you visit the local supermarket, wish the cashier a “Merry Christmas” if you would like to or a “Happy Hanukkah”, “Happy Kwanzaa”, or a “Happy Bodhi Day.” Make them feel like it is again acceptable to wish someone well-being.