Politically Correct or just oversensitive???

[Elf Mommy]

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[align=center]Office of Equity and [/i][/b]I[/i]n[/i]c[/i]l[/i]u[/i]s[/i]i[/i]o[/i]n[/i][/i][/b][/align]
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[align=center]Respect for Self, Respect for Others, Responsibility for All You Do![/i][/b][/align]
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[align=center]Fall/Winter 2008[/align]
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[align=center]DECEMBER HOLIDAYS[/b][/align]

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General Rule[1][/b][/b]:



When a school chooses to acknowledge the December holidays, it is essential that the school must never appear to endorse religion over non-religion or one particular religious faith over another.



Some guidance on this issue[/b]:



¯ Public schools must remain free from activities that could involve religious coercion[/i][/b]. Because of their young age, students are particularly impressionable and susceptible to pressure to conform to the beliefs of the majority. Schools must take care to avoid endorsing the beliefs, practices or traditions of the majority religion.



¯ Schools must be careful not to cross the line between “teaching about” religious holidays (which is permitted) and “celebrating” religious holidays (which is not[/i])[/b]. Celebrating religious holidays in the form of religious worship or other practices is unconstitutional. Teaching about a holiday will be constitutional if it furthers a genuine secular program of education, is presented objectively, and does not have the effect of endorsing, advancing or inhibiting religion.



¯ Special school events, assemblies, concerts and programs must be designed to further a secular and objective program of education and must not focus on any one religion or religious observance[/i][/b]. Religious music or drama may be included in school events, but the reason for including that music must be to advance a secular educational goal. Such events must not promote or denigrate any particular religion, serve as a religious celebration, or become a forum for religious devotion. Students have the constitutional right to an excused absence or participation from such programs and events.



¯ Religious symbols are not appropriate seasonal decorations in public schools.[/i][/b] The classroom and school premises are the place where children spend the majority of their day. It is important that all[/i] students feel comfortable and accepted in their school. Symbols of religious holidays may make some students uncomfortable and unwelcome because their holidays and traditions are not represented or because they do not celebrate religious holidays at all.



¯ It is not advisable to rely on information provided by a representative child of a minority religion.[/i][/b] Students should not be put on the spot to explain their religious (or cultural) traditions. The student may feel uncomfortable and may not have enough information to be accurate. By asking a student to be a spokesperson for her/his religion, the teacher is sending a signal that the religion is too “exotic” for the teacher to understand.



¯ Remember: diversity includes religious diversity.[/i][/b] In designing holiday programming it is essential to keep in mind that the children entrusted to your care likely have widely divergent religious points of view. The way you approach the December holidays will determine whether those children whose religious views fall outside of the majority’s are made to feel welcome and comfortable in their school building or whether they will feel as if they do not belong.







[align=center]Tips for planning religious holidays in our schools[/b][/align]
[align=center]Ask yourself the following questions:[/align]


1. Is this activity designed in any way to either promote or inhibit religion?

2. How does this activity serve the academic goals of the course, or the educational mission of your school?

3. Will any student or parent be made to feel like an outsider, not a full member of the community, by this activity?

4. Do we plan activities to teach about religious holidays at various times of the year or only in December?

5. Are we prepared to teach about the religious meaning of this holiday in a way that enriches students’ understanding of history and cultures?








Please also be mindful of the email transmissions that are sent to fellow employees and friends through the District’s outlook network. Taglines after one’s contact information should not be used as an opportunity to promote a particular faith. District employees as well as students must understand that the use of DCPS computers, network and Internet service is a privilege. All employees are responsible for adhering to the District’s commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment.



















[align=center]CHANGING OURSELVES, CHANGES THE WORLD[/b][/align]




[1] From the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

 

[JadeIcing]

A little of both.

 

[Elf Mommy]

The funny thing, this community is HUGELY Southern Baptist. I can't tell you how many district phone voice mails I get that end their messages with "God Bless" or something along those lines.

I'm not overly religious, and I don't like parties and such in my room (I'm not very froo froo, even though I'm artsy fartsy), so this memo won't affect me much. I guess it just irritates me that they squelch people expressing themselves. If you do a well-rounded, all-holiday thing....then why not?

We have always had a Christmas tree in the office. Last year, the Chrysler Foundation sponsored a St. Nicholas day at our school and gave all the students books and toys.

I guess I just think it is taking things to an extreme it doesn't need to go to.

sigh

 

[NorthernAutumn]

In my sociology of education courses this past year, they are definently drilling the whole diversity thing.
I can see why... I think the focus should remain on the stuff that is prevalent to the whole community.

There's no reason why the teaching of all cultures can't be included, like Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc.
A Jehovah's Witness kid isn't going to appreciate the concept of Christ's birthday, etc.
Perhaps the point should be more on the activities of the major cultural celebration, rather than the religious intention behind them.

We have been taught in the university education-oriented courses to never use a child's diversity as" Well now, Sally, tell us all about it." Not surprising to me to see that on the memo considering the current educational climate. I would figure though, that teachers would select the holidays relevant to their pupils. Perhaps get the parents on board to do seasonal activities from each culture? (Hard to coordinate, I know...)

On the other hand, as the US was founded on the Christian faith, and it pervades most of the legal and social criteria of the society, Christianity should not be quashed. Probably shouldn't be stars of David, and crosses all over the place, but in terms of Christianity, I can see the legitimacy of telling the Christmas Story. Otherwise, there's no point to Christmas.

I agree with espousing the general tenet of all religions, which is to do good by others. Perhaps food drives are the best way to accomplish that goal...

ETA: I wonder what has triggered this discussion? Perhaps someone's been evangelizing on class time somewhere?

 

[pinksalamander]

Well, in relation to the UK (because I don't know what the religious diversity is like where you are) we are a Church of England country. That is our countries religion. I'm not CofE, or anything in particular, but I would see nothing wrong with singing hymns or whatever in school. I would much rather everyone assume everyone to be CofE than everyone to be over sensitive about the subject.

That was a confusing way of putting it, but basically I'm saying that as I live in a CofE country, then everyone in that country should be tolerant of that religion. We should all learn about all religions, but for example they should have a Christmas tree, and should make Christmas cards etc because thats what our country's main religion is. If you are Sikh or Muslim or Jewish or whatever, then you can do what you like, but you have to accept that living in a country where the main religion is Christianity that you can't complain if your children are taught about that religion and partake in it. If I went to live in a country like Turkey, for example, where the majority are Muslim, I would accept their religion. I wouldn't complain that people were getting the holiday off and I wasn't getting Christmas off, because I'm in a country where those are the beliefs.

And anyway, why does everyone have to be so tetchy nowadays? Can't we just forget out religion and leave it up to those who care? I don't judge a person on their religion, skin colour, gender. We are all human at the end of the day.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[LuvaBun]

Fran, I totally agree with you. I remember reading last year that some UK schools wouldn't do Nativity Plays in case they offended anyone. The UK is based on the Christian Faith, so why not let the kids do Nativity?

What I find odd is that I know people from different faiths still buy each other Christmas gifts, send cards etc :?

Jan

 

[NZminilops]

I think it's really silly. I agree with lots of what has been said, and back in my school days, if you weren't into any religious activities at school you just got a parent to write a note explainging that you wish to be excused from participating. You went off with the other kids who weren't and did your homework or whatever you felt like doing.

It is good to have cultural and religious sensitivity but it also wont hurt anyone to learn about another religions rituals and holiday activities. I've never been religious in any way but I went to many christian school camps voluntarily and enjoyed the stories from the bible and the singing and learning.

We are becoming so PC that soon it will be offensive to show your gender to people in case they are the opposite to you and get offended!

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

I think it is so sad, i am a very open person and not tightly into my religion so i am very open to my kids learning about all the religions and thier beliefs, and how they celebrate as oppose to the way we celebrate things, i thi nk it is great for kids to learn that there are all different types of people out there and how they celebrate and what they believe. My sons school had a holiday celebration where they sung songs about Kwanza, Chaunaka, and one or two others but not on Merry christmas song, i was sssssssooooooooo mad. I feel that Christmas was looked over because they didnt want to offend anyone by singing a christmas song because it is, to me, associated with the catholics. So of course being me when getting the christmas cards for the class i made sure they said MERRY CHRISTMAS on it and had a pic of the nativity :shock: :biggrin2:.

 

[PepnFluff]

Yea what Fran said. I think it's completly over sensitive. At Primary we had Bible in Schools if your parents didn't want you to take part you went and watched movies or drew/painted or played sports. We used to have many diffrent religions at our school and we all used to celebrate what ever holidays they had and their families would come in and tech us about whatever religion we were doing and bring in their cultures food :biggrin2:. I think this was great and looking back although I've forgotten most of the information Its made me open to all diffrent religions, beliefs, sexuality and race.

I think in todays society kids are being prevented from being exposed to certain things because aldults don't see it as PC but when your a child you don't sit there thinking about un-PCness
and how were celebrating instead of being taught and that everythings become to serious. I think my primary has stopped doing this which is a real shame as we all used to love it and when we reached college etc you could tell we were more open compared to everyone else.

 

[Bassetluv]

It's all about being PC, I think. You know, after the attacks happened on September 11th in 2001, our government decided to have a memorial service honoring all those who died that day. Public servants were allowed to attend the service, so I went there with a few co-workers and we stood on the Hill (Parliament Hill)as our then prime minister gave a speech, and then they had a moment of silence. But they did not hold any prayers. Why? They didn't want to offend anyone.

Personally I think it's all a bit sad. Our country was founded in a Christian faith, and while we are indeed a multicultural nation, and many celebrations take place to honor and respect other faiths, the gov't has squelched any evidence of Christian celebration in order to not offend anyone who has adopted this country as their own. Children are no longer allowed to have Christmas parties; they are now 'holiday parties' or 'festive celebrations'. Instead of suppressing or banning a founding religion or tradition, why not simply embrace them all in some manner?A country tends to lose it's sense of self when a government decides to get rid of a part of its history in order to attempt to appease everyone.

Just my 2 cents. (and I'm not even a religious person.)

 

[pinksalamander]

This reminds me of that lady from British Airways, you know that story that was on the news a few years back? For those of you who don't know, it was a story about a lady, a Christian, who worked on the check-in for British Airways. She had a crucifix necklace pendant that she wore. She was told that she had to remove it because it might be offensive to people who weren't Christian. There was a lot of uproar about it, mainly because it seemed illogical that someone should be told not to wear a cross but a woman wearing a hijab, or a jewish boy wearing a skull cap would not be asked to remove their item of clothing that related to their religion.

It just seems to me, I find it odd that I am actually defending a religion I strongly don't agree with, that since the terrorism attacks and the war etc Christianity has seriously taken a knock. Yes, the majority of Muslims have been looked down on a lot by many others and many should be ashamed of that, but still this is a Christian country, and although I wish it wasn't, it is.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

pinksalamander wrote:

This reminds me of that lady from British Airways, you know that story that was on the news a few years back? For those of you who don't know, it was a story about a lady, a Christian, who worked on the check-in for British Airways. She had a crucifix necklace pendant that she wore. She was told that she had to remove it because it might be offensive to people who weren't Christian. There was a lot of uproar about it, mainly because it seemed illogical that someone should be told not to wear a cross but a woman wearing a hijab, or a jewish boy wearing a skull cap would not be asked to remove their item of clothing that related to their religion.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

I didnt hear about this, so what was the outcome did she get to keep wearing the cross?

 

[BethM]

I'm going to present a dissenting view, I sort of like that an school party would be a "holiday party" so it would include all the kids in the class regardless of what they celebrated, and then they can go home and celebrate whatever they want.

On the other hand, I don't see a problem with teaching *about* Christmas.
Like, why it's celebrated, what it's supposed to mean, etc. Of course, the other religious celebrations should be taught, as well.

I think sometimes people might not understand how it would feel to be in the minority situation, sort of, I'm Christian, all my friends are Christian, we're "inclusive" so it shouldn't be a problem for someone.
Last Christmas, I heard an episode of This American Life, where a mom was telling about the problems her kids started having in school at Christmastime. The family was Muslim (American mom and Middle Eastern dad), the two kids were the only Muslims in school. The teacher was basically teaching that Christianity was the only way, *in school,* and it ended up with other kids in the school bullying these two little girls, and the older one ended up with some mental issues after the teacher told her she would go to Hell if she didn't accept Christ. The family had to move and change schools, it got so bad. I was feeling sort of emotional that day, I almost ended up in tears hearing this woman talk about all the hateful things that were done to her kids.

I can sort of see the point of the when-in-Rome arguement, I do think immigrants should have to learn the language of the country they immigrate to. It's just such a sensitive subject for people.

I do think it's ridiculous to ask that woman to not wear her cross necklace, if employees of another religion are allowed to wear a hijab or yarmulka. It should be fair for everyone.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

In the states we have no "official religion" - we have the whole thing of separation of church and state.

I am Roman Catholic (by choice - converted in 1996) and have no problem with Holiday Celebrations that include all. I DO have a problem when they tell my child they can't or shouldn't wish people "Merry Christmas" and stuff like that.

Personally, I am glad they cannot teach religion in schools - or even about it. Why? because half the Christians I know don't even know their own faith (and yes, Catholic is a Christian faith - so many don't know that either!). I have repeatedly told my own extended family (who are Christian but very much un-churched) that Catholics do not pray TO Saints but ask for their prayers and assistance. Yet, still, I will get the "Well, you pray to saints" and stuff like that.

My own Catholic SIL didn't know that the immaculate conception was the conception of MARY not of Jesus (she was conceived without sin) - and I find that's true of many many Catholics/Christians.

So, my point is that I would HATE to know what someone of another faith might tell my children and visa versa. I DO think they go overboard trying to be Politically correct. I have no problem with my child eating a cupcake with a Dreidel on it, or a symbol of any peaceful religion at all. I'd have issues with devil worshipping but.... LOL! I think that it's ok to have each class share their faiths with each other in a simple form. I think that would breed acceptance instead of separation!

My children have friends of other faiths. I encourage them to learn about those faiths. One of Lexi's friends is Sikhist, which is really interesting and I ask her about it sometimes. She finds it funny I think, but I tell her so she knows that I am just interested in such things! (I always say I'm an information junkie!)

 

[slavetoabunny]

A state college here in Florida decided to ban Christmas decorations in public areas this year. After a huge uproar, the ban was overturned:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed29208nov29,0,792092.story

 

[Bo B Bunny]

GOOD!

Would they have banned it had it been Chanuka decorations? or Kwanzaa? I doubt it. No offense to those faiths but that's how I see things happening.

Would I be offended if I saw someone celebrating Chanuka? or a Wiccan with a Yule log on their desk? Heck NO! I love seeing others happy and celebrating!

If we limit or take away our belief systems, what do we have left?

 

[degrassi]

I think the letter was to cover the school's butt in case a parent or someone complained.

In the US do you have public and the seperate board(here in canada its the catholic board), or you just have public schools?

We have the choice of going to a public school, where they don't have religion(I think they might teach a bit about all the world's religions tho). They can't teach about god or religion and holidays like christmas/easter are more about santa and the easter bunny. Its "winter break" instead of "christmas break", stuff like that.

Or we can go to Catholic school(also accepts other religions), where God is talked about. We have daily prayers and religion is taught as a course. Lots of people choose to send their kids here, even if they aren't catholic because atleast they teach about god and you can talk about religion. My mom is a teacher in the catholic board and I went to school in the catholic board.

Right now, at our university(UofAlberta) they are trying to change the convocation speach as a campus Atheist group complained it said “the glory of God and the honour of your country.”It is currently being reviewd and is going to be changed.

Its stupid but people have the right to complain. Personally I think we should focus on bigger issues and discrimination then this.

 

[pinksalamander]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

In the states we have no "official religion" - we have the whole thing of separation of church and state.

I always forget that, and I find it utterly bizaare seeing as, no offence, but my views of America are of a fair less liberal, strictly Christian country! I mean, I think we are more relaxed in the UK about everything, including religion, which seems odd when we have an official religion, yet the US has no official religion but seems really strong about it! Like all that 'God Bless America' stuff.

And @ Fran: as far as I know the lady was not allowed to wear her necklace, but she probably still did. I'm unsure of the outcome but I don't think it was over turned.

EDIT: Just looked it up, apparently the uniform policy was changed but only after a long period of time: Clicky
Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

Thanks for the link, i think she should get back all lost wages for missing work over that.

 

[SOOOSKA]

This is a very interesting topic, but don't get me started on all this Politically Correct BULL SH??.

Good God when you go over to some of these Muslim Countries god forbid if you are a woman and you show your elbows. If they expect visitors and people to follow their rules in their countries then they should do the same in our countries. I'm sorry but I am offended by these woman who have their faces covered up only showing their eyes with their black scarves or what ever you call them.

Like I said don't get me started on this topic.

Susan