As a traditional festival for the Chinese to commemorate the workers' movement, May Day seems to have changed its connotation and significance in the current social environment. Some people bluntly say that Chinese should not celebrate May Day again, and the reasons behind it are worth exploring in depth.
First, let's review the origin of May Day. As the predecessor of International Workers' Day, it originated in the struggle of Chicago workers for the eight-hour work day in the 80s of the 19th century. The workers fought tirelessly for their rights and paid a huge price, and this history has witnessed the blood and sweat of countless warriors. However, contemporary Chinese society has undergone a seismic change, and the working class, while still there, is no longer the backbone.
Second, with the deepening of reform and opening up, China's economy has shown unprecedented prosperity. Entrepreneurs and white-collar workers emerged as the times require, forming a new middle class. This class cannot fully identify with the traditional working class, they pursue a higher level of quality of life, and their understanding and expectation of May Day are different from those of the past. Therefore, the mere commemoration of the workers' movement is no longer sufficient to fully meet the needs of modern society.
Moreover, in the wave of globalization, the influence of multinational corporations is increasing. Their use of labour is more focused on efficiency than on a particular segment. Employees regardless of nationality or class, will be hired and valued as long as they can create value for the company. This makes the significance of May Day weakened and diluted to a certain extent.
Finally, with the progress of the times, the way Chinese understand and celebrate festivals has also changed. People are more inclined to take May Day as their annual leave, and tourism, leisure, and family reunions have become the focus. Although the significance of commemorating the workers' movement has not been completely lost, it is no longer the main purpose of the present generation.
In general, although May Day has far-reaching historical significance for China, in the context of the new era, the connotation it symbolizes is difficult to fully adapt to the development needs of the current society.
Therefore, the voice of calling on Chinese not to celebrate this holiday again, although somewhat extreme, is not entirely unreasonable. Perhaps, the way and connotation of the celebration of May Day are worthy of our re-examination and rethinking, so as to cater to the trend of social development and make this festival keep up with the pace of the times.