WAR ON CHRISTMAS

bb_baptist · Dec 18, 2002

There hasn't been a Christmas tree in a Pittsford school in years.

It's that politically correct.

And this year it's getting worse.

At least it is at the Park Road Elementary School, where children were greeted the other morning by the sight of school custodians putting most of the foyer's festive "Winter Magic" display in the trash.

Why?

Because it was "offensive."

The PTSA put it up, a bunch of parent volunteers. They made a woodland scene. Some deer, three pine trees, snowflakes, and white lights overhead to represent the twinkling expanse of a clear winter's night.

No Christmas trees, no stars of Bethlehem, no wise men or mangers or Santas or Rudolphs. Certainly no Baby Jesus. Just some trees and snow and deer and lights.

Which are all part of the scenery in rural upstate New York.

It was lovely, the teachers liked it, the PTSA and the principal were pleased.

And then, last Friday afternoon, a memo was hurriedly carried to every classroom.

"Dear Friends," the note from Principal Debbie Rose began.

"Our foyer display has been the talk of the town! It has warmed our hearts and brought a bit of Winter Wonderland to us at Park Road. It has also caused some anguish to others. Which brings me to today's letter.

"Some of the items we used for the display connote specific holiday meaning for other people.

"As you know, we are required to follow District Guidelines. But more importantly, we are working to demonstrate sensitivity and extend respect to all.

"In light of that, we will be removing parts of the display that have questionable symbols.

"We conscientiously tried to stay within the Guidelines presented to us. The question to ask is, 'What does each symbol mean to other people?' These are not always clear issues.

"Know that I am saddened by this turn of events. The display has brought warmth and smiles to Park Road students, staff and parents. As always, the learning community of Park Road will 'take the high road.' We have learned more about sensitivity and respect for others, and will abide by the requests of the Superintendent.

"Hopefully we can still smile as we pass through the foyer and say the display remains a tribute to Winter Magic.

"Thank you for being the professionals that you are, and ambassadors for all we are trying to teach our children."

And then it was signed.

The objectionable symbols, the ones the first-graders saw the janitors tearing down and dumping, were the trees and the stars. Again, they weren't Christmas trees, they were trees in the woods. And they were not stars of Bethlehem or stars of David, there were stars of the sky.

And they had no place in a public school.

Maybe next they'll cut the stars out of the flag, the same way they've gutted the freedom it's supposed to represent.

"Please do not use my name," one teacher wrote me, "since it could cause significant repercussions.

"I will give you a first-hand account of the situation at Park Road. Apparently there was one parent that was offended by the display who is of Jewish faith -- not that it should matter one way or another.

"She went directly the principal and complained about the display. The principal informed this individual that the display was well within the school's guidelines. However, that wasn't sufficient for this parent, who felt compelled to go to the superintendent -- who is a gutless wonder.

"Hence, the order to remove the offensive materials.

"Furthermore -- talk about censorship -- the staff at the school is not allowed to even use the term 'Merry Christmas,' particularly when greeting one another."

And so the trees and the stars came down.

And the tyrannical oppression of bitter political correctness marched on. Pettiness of the basest kind, done in the name of religion. Small people using large means to show their contempt for Americans and American culture. The theft of a community heritage via the stupidity of a defective educational philosophy.

Intolerance in the name of tolerance. Conformity in the name of diversity.

The ethnic cleansing of a docile culture. People who aren't free to be who they are. Whose religion, language and symbols are oppressed.

Old oppressors made the cross or the star of David illegal. New oppressors don't even allow pine trees and twinkling stars.

"Teachers are embarrassed by the administration that directs our moves," another teacher wrote. "We are ashamed of what we are forced not to teach children.

"We already see the damage and confusion this has created in children.

"Our hands are tied. But parental voices are not. It's time to do the right thing."

Indeed, it is.

Superintendent Mary Alice Price can be reached at (585) 218-1004. Her e-mail address is maryalice_price@pittsford.monroe.edu. The school board president is a lady named Kim McCluski. Her e-mail address is smcclus1@rochester.rr.com.

Contact information for other school board members is found at www.pittsfordschools.org.

It's time to speak for freedom and against oppression. It's time this school district and others like it remembered they live in America and are supported by the American taxpayer.

It's time they stopped fighting a cultural war against our children.

Because this isn't stupid, it's evil.

- by Bob Lonsberry © 2002
http://www.lonsberry.com/writings.cfm?go=4
Click to expand...

Johnv · Dec 18, 2002

I understand the article is a commentary and not a news story, but even for a commentary, it sounds farfetched. Can anyone verify this?

We've got a Christmas tree in front of the white house, for pete's sake!!!

There's a nativity in my own city's central plaza!!!

Having public religious Christmas displays is not illegal and that's been tested in courts countless times!!!! Could someone please pass that on to paranoid school administrators.

Aaron · Dec 19, 2002

Yes, and a chaplain still opens each congressional session with a prayer.

The battlefront is in the public school. That is where future leaders are made.

It's not far-fetched at all.

Headcoveredlady · Dec 19, 2002

http://www.lewrockwell.com/yates/yates61.html

post-it · Dec 19, 2002

It's just a matter of time before the following are banned.

desks...made from trees

story telling time...promoting false and fraudulent information

teachers...found to be guilty of faults and having too much influence on children

pencils... made from trees

principals... overly authoritative and could lead to complexes by passive children.

writing tablets... made from trees

buses... causes pollution and ozone decay.

history... found to be based on biased information

drivers education... major cause of allowing people to obtain drivers license and thus car accidents.

libraries...my overly influence a child against it's own natural ignorance. And a major use of books made from the destruction of trees.

Independent thought…may not conform to society's standard

KeeperOfMyHome · Dec 19, 2002

Post-it, some of those are already being taken away. Especially the one about independent thought.

It burns me to no end to that they restrict the rights of Christians in order to promote other religions.

Julia

LadyEagle · Dec 19, 2002

Me too, Julia, me too.

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