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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 7 of 10)
1-02-2011 @ 9:51PM
Karin said...Whether I like it or not? This has nothing to do with what I like.
You don't seem to comprehend the difference between being Christian and being religious. Whether or not people observe their Christian faith by attending church, etc doesn't change the fact that they are Christians Wake up! Only those born CHRISTian, whether observant or not, celebrate CHRISTmas. Does Santa come in July? Does he come at Easter time?
Santa is a symbol of CHRISTmas, which is celebrated by CHRISTians, regardless of their level of observance.
Learn the difference between a NATIONAL holiday and a RELIGIOUS one.
Whether you like it or not.
1-02-2011 @ 2:37PM
Donna said...Oh man, I am FED UP with these muslims coming to the USA with the intent of slowly infecting our way of life with their dangerous, false religion. I am sick of their demands, their aggressive posturing and I am mostly appalled that any American would bow or give what 'offends' them a second thought. WHO CARES if they're offended??? Well, I am offended they are on our soil, enjoying our standard of living while criticizing every belief we have. Most of the muslim civilization, especially in the Middle East, have not progressed much past the time of their pedophile, thieving, murdering bull s**t spewing 'prophet'! Few even have indoor toilets and we're letting them tell us how to live?? Are you people nuts? STOP bowing to their precious little feelings. STOP accomodating them. Give them a nice pork BBQ sandwich to make up for any of our slights. They are a deadly plague that is slowing but surely infecting this country and you politically correct nimrods had better wake up and stop them!
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1-02-2011 @ 5:19PM
risha said...Donna, I am a muslim citizen. I could see how angry you are from the attitude of this lady who complained from Santa's presence. I agree with you because these are the customs of the country and muslims shouldn't change the way the americans have been practicing long ago. However, may I ask you, what made you hold all this grudge to ALL Muslims? If some minority did something unacceptable, this doesn't mean it's about All the muslims or about the religion. To decide about a religion, try to read and know more about it. It is the religion of peace, tranquilty and the most credible of all religions. I know that are lots of bad images from the muslims themselves but this could not by ALL means gives you the right to despise and HATE all the community. One more request, Islam is not "FALSE" religion, being poor doesn't mean bad. Please mind your words. Thank you
1-02-2011 @ 3:30PM
Bob said...Try that in a Middle Eastern country and say I do not believe in your holidays so all of your children have to respect my wishes and not have their holiday and traditions celebrated. This is POLITICALLY CORRECT BEHAVIOR TO THE EXTREME. THE FAMILY CAME HERE TO AMERICA WHERE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM TO BELIEVE OR NOT IS ONE OF THE LAWS OF OUR LAND. IF THEY DO NOT LIKE IT, TAKE THE KID OUT OF SCHOOL THAT DAY OR WEEK. This is our Country.
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1-02-2011 @ 4:39PM
nanarina said...I am sick sick sick of what people think... WHY CHANGE SOMETHING BECAUSE ONE PERSON COMPLAINS! IT ISN'T FAIR TO OTHERS! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT...THEN LEAVE! IF THE MAJORITY WANTS OR BELIEVE IT....THAN LET THE MAJORITY HAVE IT! I DO NOT BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS BUT I WOULDN'T TAKE IT AWAY FROM CHILDREN BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE. I AM SICK OF THESE PEOPLE THAT COME TO OUR COUNTRY AND WANT TO MAKE CHANGES TO REPRESENT WHERE THEY CAME FROM...GO BACK TO WHERE YOU LEFT! IF YOU DON'T LIKE OUR TRADITIONS THAN LEAVE AMERICA AND GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME!
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1-02-2011 @ 4:01PM
Joanne said...Since we live in a multicultural society, it would be more appropriate to recognize all cultures/religions of children in the school. That way, no one would have to be ostracized, and all could enjoy the holiday season. That being said, since the name of the center is "St. Peter," this implies a religious context, so the Muslims shouldn't complain.
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1-02-2011 @ 4:22PM
Athena said...Why not let every tradition teach the children about their celebrations? Head start is key for getting children ready for the academics and socialization required for school. Teach tolerance of every part of our culture and that will help to socialize children.
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1-02-2011 @ 4:40PM
Donna said...If I hear the terms 'tolerance' or 'multiculturalism' one more time, I swear I'm gonna hurl! They are in OUR country. We 'tolerate' their presence and give them the freedom to live and worship as they please. Same rights everyone else has. If they are offended by our way of life, they can friggin' well climb on an airplane and go back to their countries. I will NOT change the way I live or speak in order to placate these losers. I am offended by them! Think anyone cares about that??
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1-03-2011 @ 8:22PM
David said...Thank You Donna for speaking the truth. The muslim faith is phony and so far gone from any sane religion or any sane personsideals and morals muslims are an immoral people no matter if they say do not put them all together. They are all killers and terrorists trying to tske over the world and with our president they just might be able to since he is giving them land and anybuilding and more rights then the people that built this land off the sweat and blood of their backs. Muslims were never here doing anything but tearing down our land and trying to make this a smelly rotten country like their own so they can live like they do back home I say kick them all out. tear down the mosques and build womens shelters and homeless shelters and schools in their places
1-02-2011 @ 5:26PM
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
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1-03-2011 @ 8:26PM
David said...muslim faith is phony and all it does is teach people to hate and kill and destroy humanity cause they have these leaders that want world domination and to take away from the real religions in the world. muslim faith has no place in the United states so take your people and go home and stay out of what the children should have and the schools celebrations
1-02-2011 @ 6:20PM
Karin said...Donna, you seem to define "tolerance" as the act of putting Christianity in front of all other religions. If that school was supported with tax dollars then it is a public school and should not be celebrating ANY religion during the school day. That is illegal in this country and the mere fact that federal law has been broken forever doesn't legitimize it.
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1-02-2011 @ 6:25PM
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 @ 7:48PM
Leslie said...First of all, Santa isn't a God. He's not a religious symbol. As far as "Separation of Church and State", last time I went to church, they discouraged the church from making Christmas about Santa. The Christian Church says that Christmas is about Christ. And many of my agnostic and atheist friends celebrate Christmas. I believe that Christmas is what you make it. Yes, it can be a religious holiday where you celebrate the birth of Christ. (But what does Jesus' birth have to do with Santa?) But you can also celebrate Christmas as a time of joy, giving, family. It is a time of traditions, a time of magic. I don't blame all muslims. I do, however, blame the administration of the school for allowing the wish of a small minority to remove a long standing tradition from a large majority. No matter how you look at it, this is wrong. As many others have stated, I have not gone to other countries and demand that they cease their traditions to respect of me. That would be wrong. I respect their freedom to celebrate their traditions and/or beliefs. This has nothing to do with the people in question being Muslim. It has everything to do with the people in question being ridiculously intolerant. It is just a travesty that we have allowed our traditions to be taken away at the request of a small group. I grew up with friends who were Jahovah's Witness. They don't celebrate Christmas, either. They, however, did not demand the removal of Christmas from our schools or our lives. Tolerance. That is what we need to be stressing. Acceptance. Cooperation. And we as a nation need to stop worrying about "Political Correctness" and start worrying about doing what is right by the majority while trying to assist the minority.
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1-02-2011 @ 8:30PM
Lola said...This is the way I see it TAKE YOU DUMB ASS BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These people that are to lazy to fight for their country come over here and try to make this one their own. I would have told the Muslim family if you dont like Santa move, change your number, get out, go away,leave here and last but not least Get the HELL OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How dare they what needs to be done there is what was done here in California with the kid and the American Flag only get the BIKERS to dress up like Santa and then see who says a word. I hope people protest this kind of CRAP it is just wrong in so many ways. I am so mad. How can the School Board allow this to happen???????
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1-03-2011 @ 12:18AM
Coop said...Instead of the Somali families keeping their kids home in Minnesota that day, how about they pack up their sh*t and head back to Somalia that day - and stay there. That's the very community that spawned a bunch of wanna-be terrorists after being welcomed into the State and given every conceivable hand-out, including - ironically - the opportunity for their kids to participate in the Head Start program. I hope the Americans in St. Paul raised Cain over this one.
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1-03-2011 @ 12:27AM
david m parker said...well i think that santa clause stays & makes the children in the class rooms happy & the muslim parent can either get along or just not attend & just leave ok in jesus name!!!!
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1-03-2011 @ 10:53AM
Snowman269 said...Roots? You shouldn't have went there, heh, heh..heh..
WIKI Jacques_de_Noyon born 1668, is my 7xGreat Grand Father and his Wife was part of the original settlement of NEW ENGLAND! My Family has served in EVERY WAR this nation has ever been in. And I predict we will be in the next one too. We Are Patriots who will defend this Great Nation, no matter what the cost.
Go back and study the separation of Church and State as well, because that phase isn't ever there.
The Amendment PROHIBITS the making of any law "respecting an establishment of religion", IMPEDING the free exercise of religion, INFRINGING on the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment OF "1868" has been INTERPRETED by the Supreme Court as erecting a separation of church and state.
Go study up on your history. What your referring to only goes back to 1868. Which is a little over a 100 years ago!
You stated, "Our founding fathers instituted this because THEY came from countries where the beliefs of others were imposed upon them."
"Others" Try the GOVERNMENT making them go to church and killing them and jailing them for refusal.
That is a HUGE stretch to Santa Claus passing out present which the school isn't even paying for. It's people handing out FREE gifts as a form of FREE SPEECH!
Also, did you know, with my TAX Dollars, which I guarantee I pay more than you do. You can request to assemble and have a religious meeting on public school property. Happens all the time, and my FREEDOM of FREE SPEECH allows me to NOT attend.
Happy New Year!
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1-03-2011 @ 11:10AM
Snowman269 said...Next thing we'll see, is a petition to change the name of the town, because it has a Saints name in it. That name is offending my religious beliefs since I'm not Catholic or Lutheran. It's on my mail, it's everywhere...
This may seem absurd, but if we allow this type of nonsense to happen to our American Traditions in a public school, when will it stop. Most public schools are NOT allowed to even recite the Pledge of Allegiance! THAT IS A DISGRACE!
Santa Claus to be systematically executed - TBD
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1-03-2011 @ 11:54AM
kristian said...Yikes people...capitalization of words is equivalent to yelling or screaming at the reader. It's almost as entertaining as the random rants about all the terrible immigrants invading your country. Maybe ask a Native American what they think of your priviledged caucasian interpretation of the foundation of your fabulous country. The hatred spewed on here is pitiful, regardless of what you think.
-A caucasian Canadian
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