christmas and political correctness

a rant about "Toronto" Canadians being overly apologetic about celebrating Christmas and other holidays

Category:

Education

Tags:

• christmas
• and
• political
• correctness
• canada
• toronto

[bttsteph]

This reminds me of a story. I found that the neighbourhood my boyfriend lives in is mainly south asain. When Ramadan comes around every house has lights put up for celebration, and it seemed like everyone in the community accept it. However, when the one Canadian family on his street put up christmas decorations , it was vandalized the next day and there was a hate note dictating how they believe in the wrong god. Needless to say, they no longer celebrate christmas openly. - Steph F. MGTC44

[profwitiger]

they believe in the wrong god - hmm, not very "Canadian"

[allyho328]

We have to admit that there are just people who get upset for every little thing that does not fit into their own values and cultures. This doesn't mean that anyone has to take responsibility for those easily broken hearts. Cultural tolerance is a challenge when openness is missing. Indeed, Christmas is getting very commercial nowadays but that's almost the only minor problem I found with this inspiring holiday!

- Ally Y.L. Ho (MGTC44)

[profwitiger]

Cultural tolerance is a challenge when openness is missing - yes, very difficult

[kn961]

Canada tries harder than any other country to accommodate the needs of immigrants and make their move here easier. This is definitely a good thing but it’s gone too far with this whole Christmas debate. Let’s not forget that immigrants choose to move here, so on some level they prepare themselves for a new culture and know that they must adapt to the customs of this country. Canadians should stop appologizing, they've done nothing wrong – Nehme K CCT322/MGD415

[jayfung]

How long before every religious holiday is going to be "politically corrected"? In Shawn's case, his office doesn't allow any decorations during Christmas time because it may offend people, which I think is totally wrong. Are we not suppose to have freedom of expression in this country? Also, It is unlikely that people will intentionally insult other religions when celebrating their own holidays...so people should have the freedom to celebrate whatever they want to!

-Jason Fung C44

[trinidadeshawn]

This is a terrible pet peeve around christmas time that i feel gets worse and worse every year. i understand that toronto is multicultural, but i don't think it is wrong for a station to say merry christmas. i don't think it is offensive at all.

and by not allowing offices to decorate in the holiday they celebrate is kind of sad. i would imagine it would be more beautiful if everyone could decorate and celebrate their holidays cooperatively as oppose to keeping them hidden.

[arnejaha]

I personally feel that it is this political correctness that makes Canada or its major cities give a warm welcome to people from all around the world. It is true that they do go a bit out of their way though, but being on the receiving end, I usually enjoy it.

-Harleen A. MGTC44 Summer'10

[TheVedC]

I agree that this issue has a lot to do with the oversensitive attitudes of politicians and locals who are just too politically correct to stand up for their own beliefs and issues. As an immigrant myself, I can fully admit that there is a reason why I am here and that Canada is definitely doing something better than the place where I'm from for me to be making the conscious choice to still live here when I could easily move back home.

Vedran Cvarkovic, MGTC44 2010