As Chair and member of the Multicultural Diversity Committee, my view is to keep the Holiday practice/celebration broad, rather than defined to one culture/religion (Christian practices, such as: Christmas Tree). It has come to my attention over the years that some individuals have been offended when only one religious practice (Christianity) is honored, and not others (Jewish, Goddess-based, Kwanza, Muslim, Wicca, Earth-based spirituality, etc). In past years, there have been times where various religious/spiritual practices were honored and noticed in the Administration building, reflecting greater sensitivity to various world-views – I would love to support this as an on-going practice!
I realize my complaints about this attitude aren't exactly new but I simply must express my disgust/amusement/bewilderment at such a statement.Yes, I believe it is important to be considerate of all cultures and religious perspectives, but this kind of thinking doesn't really even do that - instead it respects none. There is no recognition of 'diversity' here, but rather an attempt to homogenize all cultures and religions into one 'universal' practice. If the goal was truly to be sensitive to all cultures, the solution would be to allow each culture to celebrate it's own holiday. Instead, the proposed practice is to strip each holiday of it's cultural origin. If you wish to celebrate Hannukah rather than Christmas during this time of year, can i insist that instead of calling it a Jewish Mennorah, you must call it a Holiday Mennorah? After all, we must be consistent - If the Christians are not allowed to claim their own icons, either should any other culture. So I ask, is this truly respecting cultural diversity?
If you want to convince me that these efforts are truly genuine and not simply a thinly veiled attack on Christianity, pursue a rational policy. The biggest irony in this, is that it is our "Institutions of Higher Education" that ooze out the majority of this political correctness nonsense.
