Politically correct...Christmas?

Aly Rogers, Section Editor

Winter always has been a time for holidays, because when the main form of entertainment was war and farming, the snow got in the way, so people had parties. Although the seasons don't dictate our actions as much as they used to, the parties long ago morphed into holy days, which are now more about the "holiday" than the "holy" day, as Santa Claus' domination of Christmas reveals. Even though we celebrate in much the same way, the religious and cultural connotations often cause confusion or even anger when schools and government offices decorate.

Connor Chamberlain (10) feels that such public offices should not be permitted to "..put up any decorations. If they did, they would have to decorate for all the religions and all the holidays. They shouldn't decorate for just one."

In response to similar demands, many airports and post offices have turned to the "politically correct" white lights and fake snow, but schools, and U-Prep specifically, don't worry so much. While some people are mortally offended by culture-specific holiday decorations, many just see them as different expressions of the same thought. Tariq Malik (10) says "If [they] want to decorate, that's cool with me," and Hannah Akman, (10) who does not celebrate Christmas, but Hanukka, remarks "I've gotten used to it.. I do appreciate Mrs. Nalley using blue and white lights in her room and that there's a dreidl on her Christmas tree."