CHRISTMAS CAROLS ARE TOO DARN RELIGIOUS AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. QUICKLY!

 

1. Let me say it again.  When I was in Elementary School (1956 to 1962, ages 5 to 11), the school drew on mixed neighborhoods.  Mostly Anglo/Christian, significant numbers of Jews, an assortment of Hispanics (yeah, ok Mexican heritage) and a few Asians, mostly Niesai or Sansai.

   Taking the religious holidays in order, we sang Hanuka songs and played with dreidles.  We sang Christmas Carols.  We celebrated Cinco de Mayo and learned Mexican Folk dances.  We enjoyed the pageantry and high spirits of the Japanese Oban festival.

   Nobody, and I mean nobody, got bent out of shape because we were celebrating a different religion or culture.  It was fun.  We learned about the joyous spirit of Chanuka, the deep significance of Christmas, the freedom of Cinco de Mayo and so on. 

   When you talk of cultural diversity, who learned more?  My generation or the current scaredy cat generation that’s terrified of offending anyone and winds up offending everyone?

   Posted by Dr. Jeff       12/12/2008  at  03:31 PM  

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