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‘Political Correctness’ is Denying Children Their Right of Freedom of Speech
Dear Editor:
Merry Christmas, have I offended anyone? I would like to respond to the article in last week’s paper on “Seasonal Political Correctness”. The incident that was brought up at the December 6th Garrison School board meeting was not the only occurrence.
During preparation for the winter concert, the children were asked for suggestions, my daughter requested Silent Night. She was told to discuss this with the principal. On another occasion, after hearing the Dreidel song was being performed, requested to sing a song with Santa Claus, once again was told to discuss the matter with the principal. Needless to say, Hallelujah, Silent Night or Here Comes Santa Claus was not part of the venue. I am not here to ban the Dreidel song because the children love to perform it year after year. What are we saying to these children? What we are saying is that your belief, celebration or tradition does not count because it is offensive!
Schools and society are not allowed to discriminate against Christians or Jews, etc. It is also denying the children their right of Freedom of Speech, which is granted by our constitution. We founded this country so we could have these freedoms and not be limited. The children are being denied the freedoms this country was established for, the basis of our entire constitution. To limit that is denying their rights and to limit only a certain group is discrimination. So basically if our children can not express themselves discuss their beliefs then we have lost all we have fought and died for.
People who do not want to hear other beliefs other ideas in an open society are probably not in the right country.
Christmas is a celebration in many forms, a birthday, feasts, burning of a log in hopes of a good harvest or maybe just a state of mind.
Then are we to corrupt the Pledge of Allegiance because we are not One Nation under God, overthrow the U.S. Mint and no longer use money because it says In God we Trust and fight the insurance companies over claim denials categorized as Acts of God/ojr not say anything to anyone ever in hopes to not offend them.
For thousands of years wars have been fought over religion, let’s not start a war in our schools.
Kimberly Schauffler
Garrison
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