CHRISTMAS ON THE CAMPUS

At Missouri State University, the Office of
Multicultural Student Services does not list Christmas as part of its
December celebrations: but it does list Kwanzaa, which unfortunately
they think is spelled Kwanza. They celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
from mid-September to mid-October; October is Gay and Lesbian Month;
and Native American Heritage Month captures November. But no
Christmas—just “Kwanza.”

At SUNY Buffalo, they celebrate a Holiday Carnival
which includes “a Hanukkah table, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day [this is a
Canadian holiday], St. Nick’s Day and Kings Day.” There are also red
and green cookies for the nostalgic, and chicken is served at the
Kwanzaa table. 

At Delaware College of Art and Design they believe in
diversity so much that “to help set the holiday mood,” says Lynda
Schmid, director of admissions, “students make multisided solids based
out of various materials, including paper and copper.” Sounds like a
ball.

Penn State is clearly the most sensitive campus this
season. Patreese Ingram has a title that is just perfect for censoring
Christmas: she is an Associate Professor of Diversity Education. She
cautions that we need to be careful when planning a holiday party. For
example, “Try to avoid dates that may conflict with important dates in
other cultures and religions.” Also, “Try to keep decorations neutral,
with symbols—flowers, balloons, candles and snowflakes—that can be
enjoyed by most people.” Best of all is her advice about eating and
drinking: Remember, she says, “pork is forbidden for Jewish and Muslim
people. Shellfish is prohibited for Jewish people and beef is not
eaten by Hindus. While coffee, tea and caffeinated soda may seem
‘safe,’ members of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and Seventh-Day
Adventists are prohibited from consuming caffeine. Therefore, juice
may be an acceptable choice.”

I have a better idea. Why not just start the academic
year a month earlier and cancel December? Either that or spike the
juice with some Vodka.

William A. Donahue is the president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.

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