The issue of celebrating holidays came up this week during a school board meeting in Oak Lawn. The Ridgeland School District 122 is comprised of about 30 percent Muslim students. The issue brought before the school board during a Tuesday night meeting is whether or not Christian holidays, like Christmas, should still be celebrated given the rainbow of religions peppering the student body.
In the end board members decided to keep their traditional Christmas and Halloween parties and add a Ramadan celebration.
With some heated debate, that particular meeting lasted about 2.5 hours, but the argument over religious celebrations and customs in schools has raged on for decades.
And while it's likely not one to be solved in a matter of days or on this blog, but I wonder what solutions can the public offer to help the school board and parents in this district?
When I was going to grade school in the Chicagoland area I can remember during holidays.. different hallways of the school were decorated to celebrate different customs. It was not only a celebration, but a learning experience as well.
Comments (1)
Amy:
May I say that you are doing a fantastic job and keep up the great work!
In light of the Oaklawn controversy one important issue should be understood.
The idea of Christmas is that of religion, however, it has been channeled into mainstream America as part of our culture.
When other peoples and their cultures migrate to the US, their objection is to have a better life here.
I am all in favor of keeping their cultures; however, these same people must be able to accept the fact that they have to assimilate into our American way of life.
As for Americans, yes I believe that we should learn
and respect other cultures as well.
The problem at that Oaklawn school could have been solved with one meeting..."you accept our Christmas and Halloween and we will make a provision for your holiday as well."
It just took the school board a little longer to figure that out.
Neil J. Cacciottolo
Senior Editor
CMN and Community Affairs.
Posted by Neil Cacciottolo | October 11, 2007 10:34 AM
Posted on October 11, 2007 10:34