Because They Are So Smart

A mother in Oak Lawn, Illinois was concerned that holiday celebrations at her children's school was not representing everyone. She took her concerns to the school board, asking that the holiday celebrations be modified to include children from all different cultures. She wanted the holiday celebrations to represent all of the children no matter their faith.

So what does the school board do? They consider banning Halloween and Christmas celebrations entirely. Because they are so smart.

So long, Halloween parade. Farewell, Santa's gift shop.

The holiday traditions are facing elimination in some Oak Lawn schools this year after complaints that the activities are offensive, particularly to Muslim students.

Final decisions on which of the festivities will be axed will fall to the principals at each of Ridgeland School District 122's five schools, Supt. Tom Smyth said.

Parents expect that the announcement is going to add to the tension that has been building since officials agreed earlier this month to change the lunch menu to exclude items containing pork to accommodate Muslim students. News that Jell-O was struck from the menu caused such a stir that officials have agreed to bring it back. Gelatin is often made with tissue or bones of pigs or other animals.

That controversy now appears to have been been dwarfed by the holiday debate, which became so acrimonious Wednesday that police were called to Columbus Manor School to intervene in a shouting match among parents.

"It's difficult when you change the school's culture," said Columbus Manor Principal Sandy Robertson.

Who asked them to change the culture of the school? I believe she just asked for the celebrations to be modified. Is there not a solution where Christian, Jew, Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists, and all other faiths could celebrate holidays together? Why do they make things so difficult? Heck, it's easier to find Hairspray tickets than it is to celebrate holidays anymore.