Has had it with political correctness over Christmas

Are we letting the Grinch steal our Christmas again?

The other day I got an e-mail from our middle school regarding the winter feast preparation. In it, this instruction was given: "Please make sure napkins and plates do not have things like candy canes, etc., or look Christmasy, as the teachers want to be sensitive to everyone's beliefs."

This comment floored many who received the information.

Clearly, this isn't a napkin issue. The statement reflected intimidation. This is a clever plan plotted out by the "Grinch" years ago to eliminate Christmas in the name of tolerance and sensitivity.

Tolerance is noble. Sensitivity is good. However, when applied partially, it becomes contradictory. If we took this to its logical conclusion, we would eliminate Chinese New Year, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, etc., because these holidays are just as insensitive to the other cultural groups.

Yet no one calls these festivities intolerant or insensitive.

I believe the majority of the people in our country celebrate Christmas. Christmas has been celebrated for hundreds of years. A minority celebrates Jesus' birth, which is really the target of the Grinch's hatred. The majority celebrates Christmas as cultural tradition. It's Christmas season, and we are celebrating Christmas. We don't need to be afraid to say so.

We don't need to substitute the name with a generic term. We don't need to feel apologetic when celebrating our holiday.

I grew up in a Buddhist culture. Ironically, the discrimination I experienced as a non-Buddhist was nothing compared to the social ostracizing and rejection I've experienced here in this country in the last decade.

Just as Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year, Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we celebrate Christmas, and some celebrate all. A higher form of tolerance and sensitivity is to include them and share with them our wonderful festivity.

Be courageous and refuse to let the Grinch steal your Christmas. But, even if he does, Christmas will come anyway- - perhaps stronger and better. Sophia Beccue Westlake Village