Merry Kwanzaa

More columns
written by Jeanne:

Your comments about this column are welcome ~ e-mail Jeanne at

The Spectator

founded 2004 by ron cruger

A place for intelligent writers
A place for intelligent readers

Musings of a
peaceful instigator

When did we all become so sensitive?

Please don’t utter the word Easter. Spring egg hunts are now called Eggstravaganzas and processions are Bunnies and Bonnets parades. We don’t want to offend anyone of another religion.

About a decade ago, I said “Merry Christmas” to an acquaintance and was told “I don’t celebrate Christmas.” From then on I only wished happy holidays if I express anything at all. And no Christmas cards please. Only Happy Holidays unless one is absolutely positive of the faith of the recipient. And ditto for all the religious celebrations.

Apparently holiday salutations, Easter parades, Christmas cards are not covered by the First Amendment. We’d rather be politically correct and not critiqued by a person of another faith or no faith at all.

America was based on Christian beliefs so there should be no surprise that those holidays are celebrated in our multicultural society. They have become part of the culture through the centuries and celebrated with school and work days off. Spring break usually coincides with Easter and Passover. I have yet to hear any complaints regarding the time off from work or school from any religious sect, agnostic or atheist.

I know a married couple who embrace different religions; the man is Jewish, the woman Christian. The duo honors both faiths. In fact the husband now asks when the Christmas tree needs to be purchased and joyfully participates hanging the ornaments. The wife has learned to create matzo ball soup and relishes smoked salmon with cream cheese, red onions and capers on bagels. They treasure receiving the yearly assortment of holiday card salutations celebrating Chanukah and Christmas. Possibly there is more of a core societal acceptance and respect of these specific two religions since this county was based on Jewish-Christian values. But all that has changed as America becomes more multicultural.

The individuals who desire that America celebrate their religious holidays should initiate legislation to encompass Kwanzaa, Ascension of Baha'u'llah, Chinese New Year or the Day of the Dead. Actually, in our over stressed society this might be a beneficial idea to have more legal holidays. We could become more familiar with everyone else’s beliefs. The Muslim practice of a month of fasting [from dawn to dusk only] during Ramadhan may even shed some of those pesky pounds. And since it is a month long holiday, perhaps a week should be shed from work and school—a fall break. Just don’t say Happy Ramadhan.