‘Christmas’ Banned
From Our Schools

As I’m hearing more and more disgruntled comments about the new "politically correct" manner of speech, I must share mine. "Happy Holidays" replacing "Merry Christmas," for one, is a burr under my skin.

When you speak to almost any of our elder folk—even those over 100 years of age—one of the most memorable things they share is a "Christmas Program" at school. Yet, I was told recently that we cannot have the "Christmas" word used at school any more. There might be some who will be "uncomfortable."

As recently as the early ‘90s we had students in our little school who belonged to a group that didn’t celebrate the holiday or salute the flag. It was understood by staff and students that these few would sit quietly and read if they wished, while others did those things. They were accepted as the traditional students were accepted without comment.

During the same time frame, the prayer before Town Meeting was removed from Sharon’s meeting. Someone had requested via their lawyer that they were "uncomfortable" during the prayer. Our selectboard of the time decided to drop it rather than address it.

Now the majority can be "uncomfortable" not being allowed to continue a tradition which began with the very idea which was the basis of America being founded in the first place. In the scheme of advancement and activists, ordinary old Americans and Vermonters have become the minority.

We have become such a "melting pot" that we are little but a melted glob being ridiculed by other countries. I have a wonderful article written in Australia about how they handle this issue, and would love to share it if others are interested.

I’m told there are now bumper-stickers which state "It’s OK to say Merry Christmas to Me." And an old song had these words, "If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything."

I can’t stand it any more!

Vivian M. Moore

Sharon

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