"Cultural Sharing" Double Standard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is there secular Christmas but Hanukkah gets to have a religious symbol of a menorah? The nativity is banned.

Some things seriously puzzle me but whatever.

It is popular to ban Christianity even though our country was based on Judeo-Christian values.

It was not. Our constitutional framers deliberately created a secular government with strong protections for and from religion.

And it worked because they were all Christian or Jewish, and religious people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you on Halloween. One parent in our school had a crusade against it and now kids can’t do anything associated with the holiday. She said it was the devils holiday and only little satanists celebrate. I was shocked when she said it to my face. She was a Catholic from another country, but I’m Catholic American and I love it.

Can’t we get the satanists to come out and say they want respect for their holiday? And they too should be included? I really want Halloween back. Why aren’t they a religion too?

Halloween hasn't gone anywhere, so what do you mean by "I really want Halloween back"? You want your child's class to have a Halloween party during the school day?

Yes. And the schools used to do a Halloween parade where the kids dressed in costumes used to march around the school. It was fun. Bring it back.

Ours still does this! In Baltimore county public. I think they technically call it "dress like your favorite book character" but the kids just wear their halloween costumes, and its on halloween, and everyone calls it the halloween party except for the official school email which calls it a fall celebration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you on Halloween. One parent in our school had a crusade against it and now kids can’t do anything associated with the holiday. She said it was the devils holiday and only little satanists celebrate. I was shocked when she said it to my face. She was a Catholic from another country, but I’m Catholic American and I love it.

Can’t we get the satanists to come out and say they want respect for their holiday? And they too should be included? I really want Halloween back. Why aren’t they a religion too?

Halloween hasn't gone anywhere, so what do you mean by "I really want Halloween back"? You want your child's class to have a Halloween party during the school day?

Yes. And the schools used to do a Halloween parade where the kids dressed in costumes used to march around the school. It was fun. Bring it back.

Ours still does this! In Baltimore county public. I think they technically call it "dress like your favorite book character" but the kids just wear their halloween costumes, and its on halloween, and everyone calls it the halloween party except for the official school email which calls it a fall celebration.

Our school calls it "Fall Festival." Just ridiculous....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree OP. It seems like MCPS likes to pick and choose what celebrations are allowed, and Halloween in particular is a no-no, and I guess at some schools Valentine's Day as well.

OP, I agree with you completely. Halloween is a fun, uniquely American holiday. Our ES banned costumes, and any kind of celebration. It stinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I want parties and fun brought back to elementary school like when I was a kid. I used to love school so much, love my teachers, love having my parents come in for special events, just loved school.

My kids are having such a different experience. I want there to be joy again. And Halloween and Valentine’s Day parties are a part of that.

This. I am an immigrant who grew up here in the US. My experience was much like yours, PP and it was great. My parents weren't Americans, but they were always fine with celebrating these events and I'm grateful for that.

It's definitely disappointing that MCPS likes to suck the joy out of any and everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you on Halloween. One parent in our school had a crusade against it and now kids can’t do anything associated with the holiday. She said it was the devils holiday and only little satanists celebrate. I was shocked when she said it to my face. She was a Catholic from another country, but I’m Catholic American and I love it.

Can’t we get the satanists to come out and say they want respect for their holiday? And they too should be included? I really want Halloween back. Why aren’t they a religion too?

Halloween hasn't gone anywhere, so what do you mean by "I really want Halloween back"? You want your child's class to have a Halloween party during the school day?

Yes. And the schools used to do a Halloween parade where the kids dressed in costumes used to march around the school. It was fun. Bring it back.

Ours still does this! In Baltimore county public. I think they technically call it "dress like your favorite book character" but the kids just wear their halloween costumes, and its on halloween, and everyone calls it the halloween party except for the official school email which calls it a fall celebration.

Our school calls it "Fall Festival." Just ridiculous....

Ours no longer allows class parties for Halloween even if rebranded “fall festival” parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So tell if I am being unreasonable to be annoyed here--

DC is in elementary school that frequently touts the beauty and joy of "sharing your culture." At one point, parents were invited in to "share an activity from your culture." As a result of that invitation, my kid brought home a little lantern they made in celebration of Diwali.

And yet, when it comes to mainstream secular holidays like Halloween or Valentines Day, we get emails like this:

Valentine's Reminder

As Valentine's Day approaches, let's be mindful of our school community's inclusive approach to celebrations. While the holiday is often celebrated with parties, distributing Valentines, and treats, it's important to recognize its religious roots, and that not all members of our community may observe it. Additionally, due to serious allergies, our school has a no-candy policy in classrooms.

We got a similar message around Halloween. I can't help but get the feeling, based on these emails, that if I took up the teacher on one of these invitations to "share my culture" around Halloween or Valentines Day or any other secular take on a mainstream American holiday (e.g. Christmas), it would not be well-received. I am all for my kid learning and celebrating other cultures, but this feels like a double standard.

Frankly, I find it annoying that we not allowed to have any common celebration with these holidays. I remember Halloween and Valentines Day as some of my most fun in-school experiences and this feels like they are caving to an unreasonably intolerant minority. Obviously we can and still do invite classmates over to celebrate these holidays at home, but that is not quite the same.

Thoughts?

Let me guess - overweight middle aged white mom of young kids. Yes, you are a victim. I’m so sorry you can’t go in the classroom and teach about Thanksgiving. There just isn’t enough information out there about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is there secular Christmas but Hanukkah gets to have a religious symbol of a menorah? The nativity is banned.

Some things seriously puzzle me but whatever.

It is popular to ban Christianity even though our country was based on Judeo-Christian values.

It was not. Our constitutional framers deliberately created a secular government with strong protections for and from religion.

And it worked because they were all Christian or Jewish, and religious people.

That is as factually incorrect as it is possible to be.

[Anonymous]

This is really stupid. It's parents overthinking these celebrations. If you don't want your kid to do it, let them stay home. Don't ruin it for the rest of the kids. They are having fun. The amount of candy and snacks is overkill, but hey it's fun. Enjoy your youth, because at my age, I can't eat all this candy and cupcakes anymore.
No kid in elementary school is thinking about the religious or political aspects of these celebrations. Most of it is marketing anyway,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you on Halloween. One parent in our school had a crusade against it and now kids can’t do anything associated with the holiday. She said it was the devils holiday and only little satanists celebrate. I was shocked when she said it to my face. She was a Catholic from another country, but I’m Catholic American and I love it.

Can’t we get the satanists to come out and say they want respect for their holiday? And they too should be included? I really want Halloween back. Why aren’t they a religion too?

I am a teacher and I agree. The kids who sit out at my school are Hispanic Catholics whose families tell them we are celebrating the devil’s birthday. Their ignorance should not be driving this decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is really stupid. It's parents overthinking these celebrations. If you don't want your kid to do it, let them stay home. Don't ruin it for the rest of the kids. They are having fun. The amount of candy and snacks is overkill, but hey it's fun. Enjoy your youth, because at my age, I can't eat all this candy and cupcakes anymore.
No kid in elementary school is thinking about the religious or political aspects of these celebrations. Most of it is marketing anyway,

It's certainly parents pitching a fit, that is true.

[Anonymous]

This is very dependent on the principal and the school community of the individual school.

FWIW, Bayard Rustin ES is the #1 most diverse elementary school in the entire state according to niche.com and we still have classroom parties for Halloween (plus parade) and Valentines Day. The teachers have leeway to call it more of a "fall" party or a celebration of "friendship", but parents still have the option to fill out a form to opt their kids out and send them to an alternative "Fall Festival" in the media center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is there secular Christmas but Hanukkah gets to have a religious symbol of a menorah? The nativity is banned.

Some things seriously puzzle me but whatever.

I am Jewish and this bothers me as well. I'm grateful they feature Menorahs but having a Nativity scene is something that's historically a part of American culture, yes it's religious but, like, the people who founded the USA were Christian, and I'm Jewish and see nothing wrong with celebrating that.

Give credit where credit is due.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is there secular Christmas but Hanukkah gets to have a religious symbol of a menorah? The nativity is banned.

Some things seriously puzzle me but whatever.

I am Jewish and this bothers me as well. I'm grateful they feature Menorahs but having a Nativity scene is something that's historically a part of American culture, yes it's religious but, like, the people who founded the USA were Christian, and I'm Jewish and see nothing wrong with celebrating that.

Give credit where credit is due.

I don’t get this either. Christmas happens every year all over the world just like Hanukkah. Show them both and in fact others. There’s no need to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is there secular Christmas but Hanukkah gets to have a religious symbol of a menorah? The nativity is banned.

Some things seriously puzzle me but whatever.

I am Jewish and this bothers me as well. I'm grateful they feature Menorahs but having a Nativity scene is something that's historically a part of American culture, yes it's religious but, like, the people who founded the USA were Christian, and I'm Jewish and see nothing wrong with celebrating that.

Give credit where credit is due.

We should have religious nativity scenes in our Christmas celebrations in public school because some of the Founding Fathers were Christian?