At various times in every school year I read an article about how a group of people are offended, thus changing the dynamic of Holidays, events, recreational activities and more. From the universal banning of dodge-ball to what now is the end of decades old traditions, in this case the Thanksgiving play at Condit Elementary in where else? California.
Some people game our systems to ruin everyone's fun. In this case, some = one. One person has objected and due to her own self-absorbed belief, and her background in education, she has turned a school district on its heels to almost end a children's Thanksgiving celebration. What is her complaint?
Ironically the complaint is over a reenactment of a historically accurate event where two cultures put aside their differences to share thanks. Know what it is? Yes, perhaps the most beloved holiday in the U.S., Thanksgiving. Does this really sink in? An event with a beautiful message of coming together and forgetting differences is challenged as of all things, racist. Michelle Raheja is offended on behalf of her child that any child should have to wear any handmade paper bonnets or head dresses. Why? According to Michelle Raheja, "I'm sure you can appreciate the inappropriateness of asking children to dress up like slaves (and kind slave masters), or Jews (and friendly Nazis), or members of any other racial minority group who has struggled in our nation's history." Earth to Michelle, The story of Thanksgiving is not a racial insult or slur. It's not just historically accurate, it's a celebration of people with differences coming together as one. To compare it to Slavery or Nazi oppression is your own warped perception you have no right to foist on others.
The writers of this LA Times article seem to take a politically correct position (gee what a surprise) using the word 'some' to describe detractors of the event. The reality is that one person (Michelle Raheja) almost ended the event. Thankfully the involved parents in the school rallied together to fight for the children's right to hold the event.
While the one woman in question has the bloodline of the Seneca Indian's, the reality is the Pilgrims came together with the Indians. This celebration is in no way an insult to any Indian.
But the greater question is this? Is this woman even really offended? I mean really? How many of us have ever had an insult thrown at us that we didn't get over.
This one woman, Michelle Raheja (an English Professor), did in fact get two others to rally behind her for support. Both were of course involved as teachers, one at a local university and the other a former professor. This invites a whole other conversation about the narcissistic attitude of so called intellectuals simply because they have a degree.
We are not talking about equal rights for women or blacks or even how to promote free range chickens. It is one person that made a decision to game the system to ruin everyone's fun. At one point a court must set precedent for common sense. In the meantime, I say if you don't agree with a school event, stay home. Take your kid to the mall, a ball game, the park or what have you. And good for the many people that want to stand up to this one person.
Some people game our systems to ruin everyone's fun. In this case, some = one. One person has objected and due to her own self-absorbed belief, and her background in education, she has turned a school district on its heels to almost end a children's Thanksgiving celebration. What is her complaint?
Ironically the complaint is over a reenactment of a historically accurate event where two cultures put aside their differences to share thanks. Know what it is? Yes, perhaps the most beloved holiday in the U.S., Thanksgiving. Does this really sink in? An event with a beautiful message of coming together and forgetting differences is challenged as of all things, racist. Michelle Raheja is offended on behalf of her child that any child should have to wear any handmade paper bonnets or head dresses. Why? According to Michelle Raheja, "I'm sure you can appreciate the inappropriateness of asking children to dress up like slaves (and kind slave masters), or Jews (and friendly Nazis), or members of any other racial minority group who has struggled in our nation's history." Earth to Michelle, The story of Thanksgiving is not a racial insult or slur. It's not just historically accurate, it's a celebration of people with differences coming together as one. To compare it to Slavery or Nazi oppression is your own warped perception you have no right to foist on others.
The writers of this LA Times article seem to take a politically correct position (gee what a surprise) using the word 'some' to describe detractors of the event. The reality is that one person (Michelle Raheja) almost ended the event. Thankfully the involved parents in the school rallied together to fight for the children's right to hold the event.
While the one woman in question has the bloodline of the Seneca Indian's, the reality is the Pilgrims came together with the Indians. This celebration is in no way an insult to any Indian.
But the greater question is this? Is this woman even really offended? I mean really? How many of us have ever had an insult thrown at us that we didn't get over.
This one woman, Michelle Raheja (an English Professor), did in fact get two others to rally behind her for support. Both were of course involved as teachers, one at a local university and the other a former professor. This invites a whole other conversation about the narcissistic attitude of so called intellectuals simply because they have a degree.
We are not talking about equal rights for women or blacks or even how to promote free range chickens. It is one person that made a decision to game the system to ruin everyone's fun. At one point a court must set precedent for common sense. In the meantime, I say if you don't agree with a school event, stay home. Take your kid to the mall, a ball game, the park or what have you. And good for the many people that want to stand up to this one person.
Here is the original LA Times article on the matter.
