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Santa Banned From Classroom When Muslim Family Complains
Filed under: Toddlers Preschoolers, In The News, Opinions
For the past four years, Santa Claus has visited the children of St. Peter, Minnesota's Head Start Program. Santa, in this case, is a gentleman by the name of Dennis Jackson, who donates his time and the candy he gives out to spread Christmas cheer to the little ones who attend this program for low-income families.
But this year, Mr. Jackson (I mean Santa) was told by Head Start's administrator not to come. Why? Because, according to the regional coordinator for the Minnesota Valley Action Council, Chris Marben, at least one Muslim family complained of his visit.
When asked about banishing Santa, Marben said, "We have Somali families in the program. We're respecting the wishes of families in the program." She added, "Part of our challenge in Head Start is providing an environment where young children from many different cultures can all feel comfortable."
Hogwash! Mrs. Marben's decision has nothing to do with making the children feel comfortable. What child wouldn't be thrilled to see jolly old St. Nick and get some free candy?
This decision was all about the grown ups -- their politics, ideology, their fears of lawsuits and their intolerance.
Instead of taking Santa away from all the other kids, why couldn't objecting parents keep their child home that day, or simply request to have their child removed from the classroom at the time of this (supposedly ghastly) visit? But more importantly, Santa-tizing our schools from any religious symbols or references doesn't teach our children to be tolerant or sensitive to other people's religions or cultures. It does quite the opposite.
Moreover, it does the child of a Somali immigrant no good to shield him or her from a symbol that is so universally beloved by Americans. As the daughter of an immigrant myself, I can assure you that knowledge and understanding of the society the child's family has chosen to live in, is key to the child's success and assimilation.
No, none of this is about the children. It's too bad because Christmas is a time when we all think about ways to bring joy to children -- all children -- including those of the Muslim faith.
But this year, Mr. Jackson (I mean Santa) was told by Head Start's administrator not to come. Why? Because, according to the regional coordinator for the Minnesota Valley Action Council, Chris Marben, at least one Muslim family complained of his visit.
When asked about banishing Santa, Marben said, "We have Somali families in the program. We're respecting the wishes of families in the program." She added, "Part of our challenge in Head Start is providing an environment where young children from many different cultures can all feel comfortable."
Hogwash! Mrs. Marben's decision has nothing to do with making the children feel comfortable. What child wouldn't be thrilled to see jolly old St. Nick and get some free candy?
This decision was all about the grown ups -- their politics, ideology, their fears of lawsuits and their intolerance.
Instead of taking Santa away from all the other kids, why couldn't objecting parents keep their child home that day, or simply request to have their child removed from the classroom at the time of this (supposedly ghastly) visit? But more importantly, Santa-tizing our schools from any religious symbols or references doesn't teach our children to be tolerant or sensitive to other people's religions or cultures. It does quite the opposite.
Moreover, it does the child of a Somali immigrant no good to shield him or her from a symbol that is so universally beloved by Americans. As the daughter of an immigrant myself, I can assure you that knowledge and understanding of the society the child's family has chosen to live in, is key to the child's success and assimilation.
No, none of this is about the children. It's too bad because Christmas is a time when we all think about ways to bring joy to children -- all children -- including those of the Muslim faith.
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 10)
1-04-2011 @ 2:14PM
Candice said...It really is to bad that you are that ignorant.
1-01-2011 @ 10:29AM
Patty said...The family is looking for a big pay day, setting themselves up for some bogus lawsuit. I'm really disgusted what is going on in this country. When is someone going to grow a set of balls instead of bowing down to one person. What's next..wake up America!
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 10:34AM
NotAnOccidental said...For Those Who Said "Go Back To Your Country Of Origin" :::: Are You A Red Indian???????? If Not where the hell is your Country of Origin??? Do you all even know that??????. you or your fathers came to the US a few decades before the others doesnot really mean that this is your country of origin. I believe in THE GOD. its just GOD.
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 1:13AM
Tammy said...I'm a quarter Navajo... so... should I stay or should I go? ;0)
1-01-2011 @ 10:50AM
Patty said...Sit back and watch them take everything away. It's just a matter of time and there will be nothing left. Why won't they stand strong and say "too bad..Santa is here to stay" Too many cowards and people running scared. Very sad situation..
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 11:44AM
Freeman said...Man, most of these comments are pretty dumb!
Santa Claus is a religious figure??? News to me! He's not mentioned in my Bible or any that I've read. When I was growing up Santa was denounced as part of the secularization of Christmas in the Baptist churches I attended.
MVAC is a "community action agency" (remember when community organizers were "bad"?), whose mission is, in part (the only part that applies to this subject, though they also do voter registrations among the poor, which was the main objection to community organizers), to "develop... educational opportunities for children". Since when is a visit from Santa an "educational opportunity"?
You want your kids to visit Santa? Take them to the mall. Head Start is inappropriate for this. Devout Christians should be objecting alongside devout Muslims.
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1-03-2011 @ 6:08PM
Jessie said...So true... Santa Claus is something that most true Christians would be hesitant on letting their children believe in anyway; think about it- Santa Claus is a fairy tale which most Americans encourage their children in believing he is a real person (AKA Lying!). Santa Claus should be recognized for what he is, a fairy tale and nothing more. This would solve the whole issue about Santa Claus; how could you be upset over a fairy tale?
1-01-2011 @ 11:57AM
Roy S. said...Education is supposed to be the quest for knowledge and truth - not lying to children about "Santa".
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 2:43PM
brenda f. said...In reality Santa is something imposed by us humans because in reality he isn't real. For religious purposes I think that head starts and schools should try not to bring up the subject of Santa. Not only that but like in the case of some families that I work with some are not able to afford gifts so what happens if the schools bring up the Santa subject then the parents are forced to buy gifts? It's only fair that for religious and not only religious but just for the sake of the parents Santa should not be imposed. Sometimes what we where asked to do where I work is tell the children who donated the toys and sometimes bring in a guest speaker from the organization to tell them about why or for what purposes they are getting a gift. This is much more simple and respectful to all our families.
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1-01-2011 @ 4:47PM
STEVE said...Better rename the city too. "St. Peter," Minnesota. Where does this end?
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 5:27PM
Gigi said...This is what happens when one persons right to express themselves infringes upon anothers. For a more interesting take on the need to remember what America is made of please read -
Separate But Equal located at www.thisblackwomansopinion.wordpress.com
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 5:27PM
suzilla said...The author's pro-santa, pro-(christian)-religion bias is clear, which leads me to wonder what parts of the story have been omitted in order to support this bias. For example, was it only muslim parents who objected, or were there also atheist, jewish, hindu, etc. objections as well? Were the objections about Santa per se, or the fact that this myth is presented as fact, as though this is a real person, physical realities notwithstanding? The christian bible quotes Jesus as saying "you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Where is the "truth" in parents lying to their children in order to maintain a myth that benefits no one but demagogues and corporate income?
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1-01-2011 @ 9:49PM
maxine said..." Where is the "truth" in parents lying to their children in order to maintain a myth that benefits no one but demagogues and corporate income?" -----
Making a comment like above especially, SuZILLA sure fits you! WERE you ever a child? WHY is a child believing in someone - Santa - who is NOT a religious character - get so many people so bent out of shape? IS it such a bad thing that this is something that makes children happy? So what if he is a so-called "myth" (he isn't a myth!) For ONE day a year, LET kids be happy!! Like I said, I am convinced that you, SuZILLA and so many others here were never children! Like it hurts anyone, including the whiner that complained to Headstart!
1-01-2011 @ 11:13PM
Joe Mama said...http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x1531216993/Santa-gets-the-heave-ho-ho-ho
1-03-2011 @ 6:08PM
Jessie said...I agree with SuZilla. I remember being very hurt as a child when I found out I had been lied to for years by my mother & father who encouraged honesty, & Christianity. I couldn't lie to my children and get their hopes up like that.
1-01-2011 @ 6:24PM
Tyrone V said...I believe we are becoming a bit hypersensitive. One family complains and Santa is pulled from all?? This family could have been told when Santa would be on site and they could keep the child at home. Why should my child not see Santa? This is getting to be a bit much. Institutions need to show some backbone. It is almost as bad as a Catholic University removing crucifixes from the classroom so no one is offended. Really??!!
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 9:24PM
max said...Gigi quit spaamming the board - advertizing your book is SPAM and has been reported as such
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 9:38PM
Carol Williams said...I strongly disagree with the fact that our kids should have to suffer because some damn muslim says so.Our kids were raised with Santa.If they don't like it they should keep their kids home or move them into a cave.Haven't we given up enough?
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1-01-2011 @ 10:21PM
Tamir said...Still nobody provided any solid proof that supports the truth of this "fake sounding story".I still believe that the sole intention of this headline is to fuel more hatred against muslims all over the world.There are some hidden hands with hidden agendas and hidden morbid intentions behind this story.Still i can simply come up with any fake story about christians and just post it here the very same way this "ill intentioned"headline is posted here to gain hostile reviews and responses against christians.Where is this school? What is it's name? Any videos on YOUTUBE or even any junkie newspaper to support its truth?Any radio station that anybody had heard of even circulated or casted this news?Stop convincing urselves with ill ideas cuz u just simply want to give urselves the reason or the excuse to believe so even though you all know it is untrue.By the way i am Muslim and i am an american citizen as well , so plz i dont wanna hear no comments as get back to ur country or to ur whereabouts , cuz HERE is my whereabout and where i belong to , but i just dont wanna fool myself like others wanna get themselves fooled.
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 10:55PM
JoeMama said...http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x1531216993/Santa-gets-the-heave-ho-ho-ho