When is this ever going to end?  We keep talking about a slippery slope well here is a great example. A self-appointed arbiter of Christmas-related language, Mark Kessler, a male professor of multicultural women’s and gender studies at Texas Woman’s University, now believes among other words that “holiday party” is politically incorrect.

The Daily Caller new site is reporting on this slippery slope.  In the article Mr. Kessler is quoted as saying:

“When planning December office parties that coincide with the Christmas season, it is a challenge for event organizers to make celebrations ‘all-inclusive.  Not all faith traditions have holidays in December, and not everyone identifies with a particular faith tradition.”

Really, the majority of us can no longer use the word “Christmas party” and what many thought was its politically correct replacement “Holiday party” because they are both now deemed to be politically incorrect.  You see this will never end in the small minds of the word police because there will always be someone who will feel not included.  We must stand up against these word police and say enough is enough, lighten up people.

What are some of the other words he believes we should not use in order to be inclusive and not upset any other the fragile minds of some people.  Well according to a press release from Mr. Kessler and the Texas Women’s University they are:

  • Consider naming the party, if it is scheduled for December, without using the word "holiday." “Holiday” connotes religious tradition and may not apply to all employees. For educational institutions, a December gathering may instead be called an “end of semester” party. For a business office, an “end of (fiscal) year” party may be more appropriate.
  • Try to assemble and include a diverse group of employees in the planning of the party. This would include, as much as possible, non-Christian employees of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other religions, as well as non-believers.
  • Avoid religious symbolism, such as Santa Claus, evergreen trees or a red nosed reindeer, which are associated with Christmas traditions, when sending out announcements or decorating for the party. Excellent alternatives are snowflakes, snowmen or winter themes not directly associated with a particular holiday or religion.
  • Avoid playing music associated with a faith tradition, such as Christmas carols. Consider a playlist of popular, celebratory party music instead.
  • Plan a menu that does not symbolize a particular religious holiday (for example, red and green sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees). But don’t forget to consider menu items that reflect dietary preferences and requirements of non-majority groups in your organization (e.g., halal or kosher).
  • Describe a holiday tradition that they have either researched or participated in personally;
  • Bring dishes and decorations representative of as many traditions and dietary preferences as possible;
  • Choose a multicultural playlist that reflects all faith traditions; and
  • Discuss what their holidays or perspectives (e.g., atheists and agnostics) mean to them.

Sounds like that will be a fun and festive party, sign me up NOT!

I understand that we need to be inclusive but do most believe that someone whose religion does not have a holiday around the Christmas time will truly be offended by the word “Holiday party” or quite frankly the other suggestions in their press release.  If they are they have bigger problems to deal with.  I would go to any party regardless of what they call it as long as it does not promote violence and hate.

People need to loosen up and just live life without so many hang-ups, it must be tiring to think that the entire world is always against you.

So Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and hopefully Santa Claus and his reindeer will find a nice evergreen tree to park by when they come to your home and bring red and green sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees while playing Christmas music.

Let’s talk about this today on The Live with Renk Show which airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. To let me know your thoughts during the show please call (269) 441-9595

 

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