Your workplace Christmas party, or should we say wokeplace, is getting a whole lot more inclusive, according to an HR manager who spoke with GWU! via Microsoft Teams.
It’s called Silent Disco—a trend during raves in the early aughts that never went mainstream—where participants wear headphones to listen to music as opposed to DJs blasting it through speakers.
“The option for music will, of course, exist, but party-goers will be asked to use a special set of headphones to listen to tunes privately or in the company of others wearing headphones,” explains Anita, who works for a major staffing company outside of Chicago.
“It’s so hard to tell what will offend or trigger an employee. We feel like it’s best just to avoid it all together,” sounds off Anita. “Certainly the holidays are a tough time of year and we don’t want to make it any more stressful.”
Gone are the days of Sally in accounting and Santa getting bombed and snogging under the mistletoe in the photocopy room, laments long time GWU! staff writer CJ Byner.
Melting Snowflakes
“Life after George Floyd, sounds different,” Anita reminds GWU! “Now we’re more inclusive and whether that comes down to serving non-offensive food or drink to partying in more inclusive non-descript locations. This is all part of how we battle racism and white privilege.”
And according to the Canadian Human Rights Commission Christmas is racist, stating: “Discrimination against religious minorities in Canada is grounded in Canada’s history of colonialism.”
Silent Disco is exactly what it sounds like, adds Steve Carroll, a musicologist from an Illinois university. “It’s definitely gaining popularity these days, with groups who want to respect noise curfews, but aren’t ready to call it a night.” Carroll goes on to explain that a participant will wear a pair of headphones that are plugged into the DJs audio channel or, in some cases, participants can bring their own devices and listen that way.
“It’s quite a sight to watch a silent room full of people dancing.”
Anti-Social Social Club
Even heavy metal bands like Metallica have experimented with the silent treatment during a show in Antarctica in 2013.
But while the head banging rockers were thrashing silently due to the sensitivity of the arctic environment, overly cautious HR departments are only concerned with their own snowflakes.
Critics, however, including our musicologist explain that it takes the fun out of an event. “A Christmas party should be about letting loose and not being so concerned with being politically correct. It’s only one day a year.”
But Anita and her holiday party team are looking forward to their Silent Night.
“Obviously we want our staff to celebrate and enjoy without worrying about triggered lyrics or ringing ears the following day. I’m looking forward to having meaningful conversations without being distracted by loud noise.”
“Sounds like a tone deaf Christmas party to me,” chimes in Byner.
