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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 6 of 10)
1-02-2011 @ 2:50AM
Goforbroke said...You're right Tamir, nobody proved that any of this is real, of if only Muslims complained. Well, so far from what I've read; the only people that agree that Santa should be banned are Muslims, truth nazi's and kill joys. Do you think that the Muslims that have posted to agree Santa should be banned are also fake?
A lot of people aren't surprised when a Muslim plays the "your're shoving your religion down my throat" card and wins (hence the negativity expressed in this forum). I recommend turning one of your Mosques into a PR department. It's not world domination that Muslims seek, just "unification"...
1-01-2011 @ 10:40PM
JoeMama said...Risha, You ask,do we go to Mecca with you?
Well as an Infidel I am not allowed to go to Mecca and in many parts of the Islamic world I am not allowed to enter a mosque without fear of violence. Or that matter I couldnt enter a centuries old church(the few that are still left) in the middle-east without fear of violence. Now your culture of intolerance has begun to spread here and demands special treatment as is done everywhere is spreads. Live in Peace and tolerance here or feel free to leave in peace.
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1-03-2011 @ 4:02AM
Nancy said...You know, if you want everyone and everything to be just like where you came from, GO BACK! I, for one, am tired of being told that I,and everybody else in the USA, has to be tolerant of Muslims, when THEY are not tolerant of us! You should see the looks some of "our" male, Muslim K-1'st graders give to female teachers, when they are corrected for "acting out".... I work in a public school system. The building I work in has kindergarten, first grade, pre-school, and Head-Start. Want to know who the majority of Head-Start pupils are now? Not poor, not African-American-> They're students who cannot speak English, well enough to progress in school. I'd say at least 80% here in my school are Hispanic- Since it's illegal to ask their residency status, YOU figure it out! {Since this Muslim child is in Head-Start, exactly how much does anyone think they understand about Christmas or Santa Claus- Afraid they'll be DRAWN TO THE DARK SIDE?} Maybe, they can go back to Somalia, where all they have to worry about is being on the "outs" with the wrong war-lord, and getting killed!
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1-02-2011 @ 9:55PM
pj said...There`s several problems with this. 1) Santa has nothing to do with religion. Santa is completely secular. Jesus is a symbol that represents the Christian faith and a Christian Christmas. Santa is just a story book character that can fly all over the world with flying reindeer. It`s a fun kids tale but not religious. People don`t worship Santa. 2) These aren`t even citizens and probably they are ppl fully supported by US tax payer dollars. So they have no citizenship & getting free handouts while citizens are losing homes and jobs and they have the nerve to complain. Talk about thanklessness!!!! 3) I live overseas & my child`s public school class was going to a Buddhist temple to pray. I simply asked that he stay outside the temple and the school was fine with that. My son understood. The staff understood. The rest of the class was not deprived of their fun or culture. And the parents didn`t have to be upset because one foreigner complained and caused the whole school to change its long time tradition.
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1-02-2011 @ 6:35AM
ken said...If youdon't like the ways and beliefs of OUR country THEN LEAVE GO BACK TO YOUR FIGHTING ASS COUNTRY NOW`, we have put up with you and your kind long enough , speak english and respect the USA or LEAVE HO! HO! HO! and MERRY CHRISTMAS
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1-02-2011 @ 7:19AM
pat said...I bet if we were in there contry they wouldn't change things for us .Its time to wake up,this is America,you came here ,we didn't ask you to ,so if you don't like the way things are here LEAVE.Tired of all the changes
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1-02-2011 @ 7:33AM
pat said...i AM 66 YEARS OLD ,THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SANTA.PLEASE DON'T LET THEM TAKE THIS AWAY FROM YOUR CHILDREN.
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1-02-2011 @ 8:50AM
tvalgal700 said...I believe in freedom of religion. That is what founded America. I also KNOW that majority rules...NOT minority...check out our voting system! It does not go by least votes, it goes by majority.
Why not change our laws to NOT educate females based on Muslim beliefs as well? Why not? Because it is wrong. Why not take equality away from females because of the Muslim belief system? Why not? Because it is wrong.
Why not make it legal to beat your wife because of the Muslim beliefs? Why not? Because it is wrong.
If the Muslims have their way it will be legal in THIS Country to tempory marriages to rape children!
It is NOT intolerant to stand up to EVIL. And based on all this PC nonsense, people have been losing COMMON SENSE!!!
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1-02-2011 @ 5:28PM
risha said...Excuse me, I think you should know more about the religion before starting to speak up. ALL of what you said about Islam is totally wrong. Please, Please, Please, don't fake things. thank you
1-03-2011 @ 6:59PM
Nancy said...risha. Your comments saying tvaigal700 should know more about a religion are ridiculous! The people arguing for Sharia law to come to the USA are saying that Muslim men who beat their wives are following the dictates of the Koran, and should not face criminal prosecution! Afghani women could not go to school under the Taliban- They were not allowed to go anywhere w/out a male "protector", under pain of being shot! And, as to one of the most serious charges, I recommend that you read a book called, " I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced"- This girl lived in Yemen, was forced to marry at 10, was RAPED at the ripe old age of ten by her husband, and beaten by him- She also had to quit school- wouldn't do for her to get an education, and get "uppity". I'm guessing you're from a more tolerant branch- that doesn't mean there aren't MONSTERS out there!
1-05-2011 @ 2:29PM
Garry said...Why are the people with old-fashioned values FORCED to give up our beliefs and customs to satisfy the overly sensitive members of intolerant groups. If we were to ask them to comply with our requests to limit or cancel one of their customs or celebrations we would be called racist or worse! When is the "moral majority" going to say enough is enough and tell these groups we have the right to enjoy our religion and culture without the threat of offending some radicals!!!!
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1-02-2011 @ 10:56AM
e said...So let Mohammed wear the damned suit too!
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1-04-2011 @ 1:48PM
Nagiah said...LOL That is too funny As Salaam Alaikum..
1-02-2011 @ 11:05AM
jan said...I There is something in MN called MN nice. It is a thing people from here tend to do. If it is percieved that someone has their feelings hurt they will do what they can to make them feel better. I am sure this muslim parent brought up that they didn't want their child exposed to Santa and the person running the program panicked and stopped all Santa celebrations.. I am from CA and I know that this suprised me when I moved here how nice people can be. Yes, some of it is passive aggressive. LOL! I think it was wrong to withhold a tradition within this school. Why can't Santa be explained as a folk tradition without any religious tones. By the way St. Peter is a very small town in MN. It is a college town home to Gustavus Adolphus College. It is a very Lutheran/catholic town. That said, this preschool program is for children that are "underpriviledged". Santa brought joy and candy to children who might not otherwise experience this fun. When my kids were in elementary school they lost any holiday parties at all throughout the year, not just Christmas because there were children who were Jehovahs witness in their school and those parents complained. So it is not just muslims it is anyone with a religion that does not recognize celebrations..
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1-11-2011 @ 1:35PM
mj said...i am a jehovahs witness and if there is going to be a holiday party i donot complain. i just tell the teacher my children will not be in school that day. we are not violent and we donot take other peoples rights to have santa or any other holiday party. when i was younger i either stayed home or i went to another class. so dont speak what you dont know. if you want to knw more just ask.
1-02-2011 @ 1:01PM
patt said...when i was young the people who immagrated to our country came here with adream and the promise that they could enjoy the same freedoms that we enjoyed as americans.the fact that they are different and have different traditions and in some cases different religions is really what our country was founded on. the first immagrants that cme to america came here to practice their religion free from the persicution they had faced back in the home land. having said all this to banish santa claus an icon of american culture over the objections of a few new comers shows a true lack of backbone in our society today we as americans need to stand up for the values and the way of life our ancesters fought so very hard for .lawsuits be damned
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1-02-2011 @ 1:42PM
Karin said...WOW!! This article and many of the comments following were such a wake-up call for me. What a shocking display of ignorance and hypocrisy, of "my way is the only way"- and more. I cannot believe that this is 2011 and there are still Americans who:
1. Do not understand the meaning of separation of church and state. Public schools are to be free of religious celebrations and symbols. Should your taxes pay for my child's (non-Christian) religious education? This is FEDERAL LAW.
2. Do not understand that this is one of the foundations THIS country- the United States- was built upon. THIS country was intended to be free of religious influence in all public entites and sectors b/c not all citizens are the same religion. This may not be law in other countries but it is the law in THIS country. This is not Ireland, or Israel, or any one of a number of other countries where religion influences law. This is NOT a Christian country. Understand the difference between a Christian country and a country where Christianity has the most followers of any other religion. These are NOT the same thing!
3. Do not understand that Santa is a symbol of CHRISTmas, which is a Christian holiday. It is not a symbol of world peace to all, it is not "universally beloved by all Americans", and it is not a holiday celebrated by all Americans. It is a symbol of CHRISTmas. Don't be so ethnocentric- don't claim that tolerance is being stomped on when YOUR religion is the only one being recognized in a tax-funded public school! That smacks of hypocrisy. The fact that there are non-Christians who celebrate this holiday doesn't change the fact that it is a Christian holiday. Also, having knowledge of other religions and their holidays is NOT the same as being forced to participate.
4. Do not understand that tolerance involves respect and recognition of ALL religions and cultures- not just one's own. Christianity is NOT "the religion of the United States", it is NOT the religion of all Americans. What goes on in Islamic countries during Eid or any other holiday is irrelevant b/c we are talking about the United States here, not any other countries. But for the record- if you go to a country where religion determines law and it's not YOUR religion, you have no right to expect anything else. The mere idea of removing non-Christian children from school during a school day so federal law can be violated as it apparently had been for so many years prior is beyond appalling! How can any decent person believe that this is a reasonable (OR LEGAL!) solution? "Either submit to our religion or stay home- but either way shut up??!!" How DARE anyone think this way! Have your religious celebration during NON-school hours- after school ends, on a weekend, before school begins, etc. If you are feeling so magnanimous (by imposing your religious beliefs ILLEGALLY on all regardless of belief), you can open the event to non-Christian celebrants as well and some might choose to attend and be grateful for the invitation.
GOOD GRIEF!
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1-02-2011 @ 2:09PM
Denise White said...I guess we'll have to remove the Christmas trees next!! Why are squashing American traditions for the sake of a few (immigrants or otherwise)?!?
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1-02-2011 @ 6:15PM
Karin said...Donna- Christmas is not an American tradition. It is a CHRISTIAN tradition.
Thanksgiving is American. Christmas is CHRISTIAN. In this country we separate religion and nationality.
1-02-2011 @ 8:43PM
Denise said...While Santa is symbolic of Christmas, the Santa TRADITION is celebrated by both religious and non-religious Americans--whether you like it or not.