The memo specifically pointed to items and colors that are associated with Christmas and Hanukkah, such as Christmas trees, wrapped gifts, and bows.
What's the story?
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences passed out a memo with its "recommended" ideas at its event titled, "Dean's Dialogues: Respecting Religious Diversity in CFANS and at the University."
According to the event listing on the website, the students and faculty at the university represent more than 300 religious or spiritual belief systems.
"Our religious/spiritual beliefs and practices can play a key role in our identity but can be 'off limits' for discussion especially in public spaces," the listing said.
The school and its leadership are "committed to an inclusive community," according to the website.
University of Minnesota spokeswoman Emma Bauer told The College Fix that the memo was to be considered a "conversation piece to facilitate dialogue" at the inclusion event.
"It was not distributed broadly to [College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences] employees. It does not reflect current University of Minnesota, EOAA (Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action) or CFANS official guidance," Bauer said.
What else was on the list of 'not appropriate' items for gatherings and displays?
- Santa Claus
- Angels
- Star of Bethlehem
- Dreidels (four-sided top played with during Hanukkah)
- Nativity scene
- Menorah
- Bells
- Doves
- Red and green or blue and white/silver decoration themes
- Consider neutral-themed parties such as "winter celebration."
- Keep the theme of any invitations neutral and non-religious and not reflective of any one religious holiday.
- Decorations, music, and food should be general and not specific to any one religion. Also, be mindful of dietary restrictions and provide alternatives.
The memo said the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action would provide "additional support and problem solving" for those who reach out against "inappropriate religious celebrations."
Complaints about violations can be made at the "Bias Incident Website," the memo said.
Reader Comments
"Witches dont like all those bright colors and lights when they celebrate..."
i am the son of a witch. A Wiccan. I assure you that what you said was a bit grand and sweeping-stereotype that applies to a small percentage of those following Wiccan spirituality. Perhaps you let your emotion do the speaking and used Witch as a derogatory insult and didn't actually mean witch. I assure you that my mother was the most loving and caring woman. Much more than any Christian I have ever met.
Myself - athiest though raised Baptist. So I'm defending my mother moreso than Wicca. But to defend her I must since she passed last year and isn't here to set the record straight.
What I find hilarious about these arguments against so-called PC Christmas (Oh sh*t!!! Rudolph's nose is the wrong fricking colour!!!), is that its chief critics are the same people who before this particular kink in the timeline would have been railing against Christmas because it was too commercial , too vulgar, too gluttonous, too alcohol driven, too kissy-kissy , or whatever.
So essentially, it's Puritan Vs. Puritan. Humbug Vs. Humbug.
And a PC Puritan is like any other kind of damn Puritan; Left Wing Puritan, Right Wing Puritan, Religious Puritan, Atheist Puritan, Wiccan damn Puritan. They've all got the same thing in common: They 'Love' humanity, but they hate humans.
How f*cked up is that?
To even the most sophisticated, successful and garrulous liar and/or group of liars, truth happens eventually.
Death is coming.
Not to any theater near you, as the world's great liars (college educates, 'professionals' and hierarchy participants) would have it and seek to portray it, rather, it is coming directly to you. To whoever you are.
Birth, death, re-birth.
Birth, death, re-birth.
Ego?
Many of you who are first now, shall be last then. And the last shall be first.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
ned,
OUT