Political correctness hijacks holidays

I love what Teddi Oppenheimer (11/17, Letters) expressed about Thanksgiving (can I say Thanksgiving?). The headline of her letter was “Remember Thanksgiving?” Teddi, unfortunately people do not remember. Soon Thanksgiving and Christmas will be a distant memory, replaced by “holiday.”

When school is out this week, they will be out for the “fall vacation.” The school calendars say “winter vacation,” not Christmas (gasp!). We have become so politically correct that in some schools in this country, they cannot use the traditional Christmas colors red and green or even use Christmas lights. All it takes is one complainer, and here comes the American Civil Liberties Union.

We can say Halloween, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day (for now), and we can even say Ramadan. But do not dare say Thanksgiving or Christmas.

So, Teddi, the younger generation really doesn’t remember Thanksgiving. They just know about some generic, unnamed holiday.

Carolyn Spears
Kansas City

What a great testimonial to the true meaning of Christmas in Debbie Dusenberry’s “Design Notebook” column in Kansas City Star Magazine (11/15, “Reflecting the true meaning of Christmas”). I would love to meet Debbie and may stop by her shop, although I don’t need much in the way of new Christmas decor in my retirement apartment.

It is so hard to wade through what passes for Christmas decorations, even cards, for observing this significant season and to get to the truly meaningful decorations that celebrate the birth of Christ. Thank you to Debbie for sharing what is important to her and to many of the rest of us.

Dorcas K. Doering
Overland Park

Comments

[hajkar]

I don't celebrate Christmas. Doesn't mean I can't wish you one.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

If you do not recognize Jesus Christ then you should not be celebarting CHRISTmas.

[hajkar]

In other words....

Some people hear, "Blow me!" when I say, "Happy Holidays!".

[hajkar]

You misread my meaning. I'm not PO'd. Given the logic used by the people who are so insistent that I recognize their preferred holiday it is a real risk that I will be considered PO'd merely by not responding as they wish.

[Greghand]

Happy Quanza everyone!!!!!!!!

[HC Brando]

What a great idea: sulk your way through the holiday season because other people don't refer to the specific holidays the way you want them to. What do those other people think this is, a free country or something? Bah humbug!

If you're going to go out of your way to be 'PO'd" by somebody answering your "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays," hajkar, I wouldn't be too quick to tell others to quit "looking to be insulted where no insult is intended." If somebody answers your "Merry Christmas" with "Blow me," that's another matter.

[Keith Williams3]

I agree with ted I think. I prefer Christmas and Thanksgiving but if someone decided to say happy holidays so what fine with me. I DONOT like that XMas thing though, sign of laziness, disrespect.

[hajkar]

And I'll be considered PO'd if I respond to someones greeting of "Merry Christmas!" with a "Happy Holidays!".

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Beliefs? Christmas is celebrating what and whom?

[Greghand]

If you find someone who insists speaking with political correctness it simply means your talking to a person that wants to hide the truth.

[Kee]

Yep, you dare not complain that folks get po'd in you say Christmas or Thanksgiving or else you will be called "insensitvie".

But hey, ask me if I give a .........If I offend you, tough, loser.

[Ted]

I don't know about KC but in small town America it is still Christmas and Thanksgiving. I don't know or care about what the school calender says because when I talk to my grandchildren I talk about the holidays. Can't you parents have discussions about your beliefs with your children and leave to schools to the buisness of educating and teaching basic civility. If you want your child in a school that emphasizes a specific religion or ideology, go private. At our local middle school,every morning there is a large group of children gathered around the flag pole in front of the school and heads bowed. I find this very acceptable as it is voluntary and open to all.

[hajkar]

It is not enough that all rational adults know that Thanksgiving is included in the "Fall" break at school. Most rational adults know that Christmas is included in the subsequent "Winter" break. Never mind that other significant secular and non-secular observances occur at these same times. Some people still want to insist that we recognize their preferred specific tradition. Quit looking to be insulted where no insult is intended.