Diwali peition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that, nor do I even think any of those holidays should be off.

There is a request in to the school board for Chinese New Year to be a school holiday as well. How is that any different than asking another country to have Thanksgiving off as a school holiday?

It might help if you thought of "Chinese New Year" as "a holiday celebrated by people who are Americans of Chinese ancestry".

Same as any other country in the world with a population with Americans. Funny, you didn't answer the question though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that, nor do I even think any of those holidays should be off.

There is a request in to the school board for Chinese New Year to be a school holiday as well. How is that any different than asking another country to have Thanksgiving off as a school holiday?

It might help if you thought of "Chinese New Year" as "a holiday celebrated by people who are Americans of Chinese ancestry".

Same as any other country in the world with a population with Americans. Funny, you didn't answer the question though.

The people who are asking for a school holiday for Chinese New Year ARE AMERICANS. Yes, I am shouting.

[Anonymous]

The Pilgrims left England to celebrate their (Christian) religion without persecution. Since the early days of this nation, we have promoted religious freedom, however Christianity is the fabric upon which the country was founded. We have separation of church and state, and allow others to worship (or not) as they choose, but Christian culture and traditions dominate.

The US used to be a melting pot in which immigrants respected and eventually adopted the language, religion, and customs of the nation. Now, many newcomers maintain close ties with their former countries and never really become "Americans".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that, nor do I even think any of those holidays should be off.

There is a request in to the school board for Chinese New Year to be a school holiday as well. How is that any different than asking another country to have Thanksgiving off as a school holiday?

It might help if you thought of "Chinese New Year" as "a holiday celebrated by people who are Americans of Chinese ancestry".

Same as any other country in the world with a population with Americans. Funny, you didn't answer the question though.

The people who are asking for a school holiday for Chinese New Year ARE AMERICANS. Yes, I am shouting.

Still haven't answered the question. Chinese New Year is a secular holiday in a small amount of Asian countries. Not all Asian-Americans even celebrate it. You don't think there are people in other countries that have dual citizenship or even changed citizenship that still celebrate Thanksgiving in their other country? If I moved to Germany and became a German citizen, I should ask the school district to give off for the holiday because I am a German with American Ancestry? It is absolutely no different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Pilgrims left England to celebrate their (Christian) religion without persecution. Since the early days of this nation, we have promoted religious freedom, however Christianity is the fabric upon which the country was founded. We have separation of church and state, and allow others to worship (or not) as they choose, but Christian culture and traditions dominate.

The US used to be a melting pot in which immigrants respected and eventually adopted the language, religion, and customs of the nation. Now, many newcomers maintain close ties with their former countries and never really become "Americans".

That depends on how you define "American", doesn't it? There are a lot of Americans who disagree with your definition, and that's not a new phenomenon, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Pilgrims left England to celebrate their (Christian) religion without persecution. Since the early days of this nation, we have promoted religious freedom, however Christianity is the fabric upon which the country was founded. We have separation of church and state, and allow others to worship (or not) as they choose, but Christian culture and traditions dominate.

The US used to be a melting pot in which immigrants respected and eventually adopted the language, religion, and customs of the nation. Now, many newcomers maintain close ties with their former countries and never really become "Americans".

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Still haven't answered the question. Chinese New Year is a secular holiday in a small amount of Asian countries. Not all Asian-Americans even celebrate it. You don't think there are people in other countries that have dual citizenship or even changed citizenship that still celebrate Thanksgiving in their other country? If I moved to Germany and became a German citizen, I should ask the school district to give off for the holiday because I am a German with American Ancestry? It is absolutely no different.

Well, we can worry about what might hypothetically happen if a large group of Americans immigrated to Germany, became German citizens, and had German-citizen children in the schools, or we can focus on what is actually happening right here in our very own county that we live in, where there are many Americans who celebrate Lunar (not specifically Chinese) New Year.

But if you don't want the Board of Education to recognize Lunar New Year as a holiday, you are free to show up at their meetings to advocate against it. In fact, if you feel strongly about the issue, that's what you should be doing. Why aren't you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Pilgrims left England to celebrate their (Christian) religion without persecution. Since the early days of this nation, we have promoted religious freedom, however Christianity is the fabric upon which the country was founded. We have separation of church and state, and allow others to worship (or not) as they choose, but Christian culture and traditions dominate.

The US used to be a melting pot in which immigrants respected and eventually adopted the language, religion, and customs of the nation. Now, many newcomers maintain close ties with their former countries and never really become "Americans".

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

Members of minority religions who come to the US have never adopted universally become Christians. Many of them were escaping religious persecution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

Where did this "us" and "them" business come from? Aren't we all Americans?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

Where did this "us" and "them" business come from? Aren't we all Americans?

No most immigrants are not legal US citizens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

Where did this "us" and "them" business come from? Aren't we all Americans?

No most immigrants are not legal US citizens.

We are not talking about "most immigrants" here. Nor are we -- or at least I'm not -- defining "American" as "US citizen". We are talking about the parents of children in Montgomery County Public Schools. Children your children go to school with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

Where did this "us" and "them" business come from? Aren't we all Americans?

No most immigrants are not legal US citizens.

Well, this is obviously an issue that you feel strongly about. So you should start going to the meetings when the Board of Education and MCPS discusses this issue.

Also, when you are at the meetings -- every time somebody gets up to speak, make sure that you ask them their citizenship status. And if they are not citizens, then when you get up to speak, tell the BofE or MCPS or whatever that those other people are not citizens and therefore have no right to speak or be heard. I wonder how that will go over?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Pilgrims left England to celebrate their (Christian) religion without persecution. Since the early days of this nation, we have promoted religious freedom, however Christianity is the fabric upon which the country was founded. We have separation of church and state, and allow others to worship (or not) as they choose, but Christian culture and traditions dominate.

The US used to be a melting pot in which immigrants respected and eventually adopted the language, religion, and customs of the nation. Now, many newcomers maintain close ties with their former countries and never really become "Americans".

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

Members of minority religions who come to the US have never adopted universally become Christians. Many of them were escaping religious persecution.

Who said you have to become Christian? No one here is saying that. Coming here from religious persecution and being allowed to stay here and celebrate your religion freely is what makes this country so great. Trying to turn it into a country that needs to celebrate all worldwide religions by having school off is not. Do you expect the federal government to close down? Do you ask your employer to give the entire company off so you don't have to miss a day at work? Where does it end...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only in liberal Maryland can you justify doing something that affects 95%+ negatively because that 5% or less decides they deserve it. I would never move to a country and ask their schools to change their calendar so my kids could have off on a holiday the main country does not celebrate or recognize. America is getting so over the top for political correctness. How about being grateful for being here and your children are getting a free education. Be happy there is excused holidays for all minority holidays.

THIS!!!!!

+ 1000000000000000...

Would India change their school calendar to accommodate Americans who celebrate Thanksgiving? Nope, don't think so. Why should we bend over backwards for Diwali?

Do we bend over backwards for Christmas, Easter, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur? And if so, why should we?

(Also, India = a country; MCPS = a public school district.)

Do the school districts in India give off for American Thanksgiving?

As stated previously in this thread- India gives holiday for Christmas, Eid, and Diwali. And in certain parts of the country for Jewish holidays. There are also holidays in certain parts of the country where demographics are higher for Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist holidays.

Thanksgiving is not related to anyone's religion so to compare a religious holiday to Thanksgiving is illogical.

So to answer the heart of your question- yes, in India all faiths are recognized and given holidays.


There are PLENTY of places in America where someone that only wants to see other white, Christian people ( with maybe a few token POC for the feel good factor). This area is not one of those places.

This area is multicultural and diverse with people from all over the world. That is one of the BEST things about this area. It brings in a variety of faces, food, languages, experiences and cultural traditions. But it seems if that White people want only the parts of a global society that benefits them (food, exposure for their kids, feeling good about saying we have friends from all over, trinkets).

But don't want the inconvenience of having those people feel like they truly are a part of the American fabric by recognizing holidays of their faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Pilgrims left England to celebrate their (Christian) religion without persecution. Since the early days of this nation, we have promoted religious freedom, however Christianity is the fabric upon which the country was founded. We have separation of church and state, and allow others to worship (or not) as they choose, but Christian culture and traditions dominate.

The US used to be a melting pot in which immigrants respected and eventually adopted the language, religion, and customs of the nation. Now, many newcomers maintain close ties with their former countries and never really become "Americans".

+1,000,000

Most of the countries they move from don't even allow religious freedom. You would think they would be appreciative of that here. Instead they expect everyone here to suddenly have off for their holidays. And they act like we are being selfish.

Members of minority religions who come to the US have never adopted universally become Christians. Many of them were escaping religious persecution.

Who said you have to become Christian? No one here is saying that. Coming here from religious persecution and being allowed to stay here and celebrate your religion freely is what makes this country so great. Trying to turn it into a country that needs to celebrate all worldwide religions by having school off is not. Do you expect the federal government to close down? Do you ask your employer to give the entire company off so you don't have to miss a day at work? Where does it end...

Who said you have to become Christian? The top PP that everybody is responding to -- that's who. So yes, actually, at least one poster is saying that.

Also, the slippery slope is a fallacy in any context, including this one. We are not talking about federal governments closing down. We are talking about MCPS. Let's worry about federal holidays when that actually becomes an issue.