Claremont parents clash over kindergarten Thanksgiving costumes

[Liberal_in_LA]

Claremont parents clash over kindergarten Thanksgiving costumes

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-thanksgiving25-2008nov25,0,1458033.story

Some say having students dress up as pilgrims and Native Americans is 'demeaning.' Their opponents say they are elitists injecting politics into a simple children's celebration.
By Seema Mehta
November 25, 2008
For decades, Claremont kindergartners have celebrated Thanksgiving by dressing up as pilgrims and Native Americans and sharing a feast. But on Tuesday, when the youngsters meet for their turkey and songs, they won't be wearing their hand-made bonnets, headdresses and fringed vests.

Parents in this quiet university town are sharply divided over what these construction-paper symbols represent: A simple child's depiction of the traditional (if not wholly accurate) tale of two factions setting aside their differences to give thanks over a shared meal? Or a cartoonish stereotype that would never be allowed of other racial, ethnic or religious groups?




"It's demeaning," Michelle Raheja, the mother of a kindergartner at Condit Elementary School, wrote to her daughter's teacher. "I'm sure you can appreciate the inappropriateness of asking children to dress up like slaves (and kind slave masters), or Jews (and friendly Nazis), or members of any other racial minority group who has struggled in our nation's history."

[David Zephyr]

1. Such is Claremont, California.

City of trees, bicycle lanes on every street, rich hippies and where Birkenstocks and Rhino Records are at the very main intersection in its "village". I love Claremont.

[amdezurik]

3. so you approve of faux "history" being taught?

After all I really doubt the ones dressed as "pilgrims" after the feast at school kill and/or rape all the other ones do they? Or is knowledge of real history "too hippie" for you?

[David Zephyr]

7. Hardly. You must be in a foul mood trolling for arguments.

You need to chill or read before you reach for your keyboard. I said I love Claremont. That would be the very city where "faux history" has finally been challenged. That's a good thing unless you think otherwise. That would be my city.

FYI, I am one of those "rich hippies" in Claremont. You are barking up the wrong tree. I'm on your side and my town is doing something about "faux history". Now what about yours, oh ye who are so quick to lash out.

[hughee99]

2. The Pilgrims were slave owners?

I guess they skipped that part in my school when I was growing up.

[amdezurik]

4. it is called "example"

two different ones were provided, to wit slaves vs "kindly" slave owners, or Jews about to be gassed vs (again)"kindly" nazis.

seriously, is english being taught in schools anymore?

[hughee99]

9. Ah,

So I see, so while the Pilgrims and Native Americans being (poorly) depicted aren't actually slaves and slave owners, there relationship was the same. That's what's being implied, right?

[michreject]

5. Not depicted in the movies either

I must have led a sheltered life.

[cali]

6. no, the Pilgrims were the vanguard of a wave of people that

oppressed and killed the native americans.

[Berry Cool]

8. So of course, that makes Thanksgiving evil, and means they never got along, ever.

*sigh* Yet another holiday destroyed by political correctness!

Jeez, you wanna go after something, go after those inaccurate paper Pilgrim hats. Contrary to popular belief, Pilgrims were not fond of putting big fat buckles on their hats, belts or shoes. They didn't go in for that ostentatious stuff.

[depakid]

10. Americans really need to lighten up

It's bunch of cheesy kindergarden costumes, for crissakes.

[Johonny]

14. I agree

At worst it might get children to consider native American a little and the fun of wearing clothes with lots of buckles.

[cali]

12. no, I love Thanksgiving

and I actually don't see the harm in this for young children, as long as later they're taught the real history of what happened to Native Americans. I do see the parent's point, however.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

21. I'm glad you said "political correctness", because that's what I was gonna say

:thumbsup:

[David Zephyr]

11. Thank you, cali.

Our two national holocausts: slavery and the genocide of the native populations.

And it was the "vanguard" of what came.

[cali]

13. well, you may want to see my later post, David

I'm actually rather conflicted about this, and Thanksgiving is by far and away my favorite holiday. But NOT for it's roots.

[David Zephyr]

16. I saw your later post and it was a balanced one.

Although Fox has sort of poisoned the word "balance".

Celebrating Thanksgiving is a wonderful thing and I, like you, love it.

That said, I agree with your other point that children need to know the history of what came afterward or as one poster put it, the Pilgrims were the vanguard of what was to be a holocaust.

This is happening in my own little berg, Claremont. I'm glad that the controversy is happening. It's healthy. It's good.

I grew up think Christopher Columbus was a great man. I now know that he was an absolute monster without a single redeeming merit who deserves scorn, not a holiday. And I grew up thinking how enlighted we white people were to have sat down and given thanks to Jesus with the "Indians" in their peasant clothing. Mr. Ratzinger, who sometimes calls himself a "Pope" made the unforgivable, callous comment that the natives in the Americas "were yearning" for the "Gospel and salvation". That is part of this European, paternalistic mindset that still poisons us.

I am glad that even Thanksgiving can cause thought and introspection. It is a good thing. I am proud it is Claremont.

[msongs]

17. thanksgiving need having nothing to do with the genocidal pilgrims nt

[hughee99]

18. It was the "vanguard" of what came later

much in the same way that 60's drug advocates were the "vanguard" of what came later, a far wider drug use and the toll drugs, drug policy and drug related crime and punishment. I have a hard time blaming Dr. Leary for that, though.

[Caliman73]

15. Thanksgiving

Deconstructing the Myths of “The First Thanksgiving”
by Judy Dow (Abenaki) and Beverly Slapin
Revised 06/12/06

What is it about the story of “The First Thanksgiving” that makes it essential to be taught in virtually every grade from preschool through high school? What is it about the story that is so seductive? Why has it become an annual elementary school tradition to hold Thanksgiving pageants, with young children dressing up in paper-bag costumes and feather-duster headdresses and marching around the schoolyard? Why is it seen as necessary for fake “pilgrims” and fake “Indians” (portrayed by real children, many of whom are Indian) to sit down every year to a fake feast, acting out fake scenarios and reciting fake dialogue about friendship? And why do teachers all over the country continue (for the most part, unknowingly) to perpetuate this myth year after year after year?

Is it because as Americans we have a deep need to believe that the soil we live on and the country on which it is based was founded on integrity and cooperation? This belief would help contradict any feelings of guilt that could haunt us when we look at our role in more recent history in dealing with other indigenous peoples in other countries. If we dare to give up the “myth” we may have to take responsibility for our actions both concerning indigenous peoples of this land as well as those brought to this land in violation of everything that makes us human. The realization of these truths untold might crumble the foundation of what many believe is a true democracy. As good people, can we be strong enough to learn the truths of our collective past? Can we learn from our mistakes? This would be our hope.


http://www.oyate.org/resources/shortthanks.html

[madrchsod]

19. shit, no one can have fun anymore..the right wing took away mayday

ya it used to be a wonderful day where girls danced around a big phallic symbol and handed out their "virginal goodies" to the boys of their choice.

then it became law day because of the godless commies...oh well

[iamahaingttta]

20. The War on Thanksgiving!

Woo hoo!
Get your war on!!

[Berry Cool]

25. I've got nothing against educating kids

and having them know real history.

But it's being a real killjoy if anyone tries to take a warm, family-oriented harvest festival holiday and turn it into something where you're somehow expressing approval of the slaughtering of Native Americans just by celebrating it. Sheesh.

As has been repeatedly said by people here who are not religious but enjoy celebrating Christmas, you don't have to put your stamp of approval on everything associated with the holiday in order to enjoy what it is today and not be a terrible person because of it.

And those who would try to talk Christians out of Christmas by constantly bringing up its pagan origins would be well advised that I find that to be equally nonsensical.

[KittyWampus]

22. Raheja is an egotistical idiot. Why not ask for more REALISTIC costumes & more accurate portrayals?

As the article goes on- another kid with NA ancestry LOVES his costume from the previous year and wearing it still gives him pride in his background.

[JCMach1]

27. Some Perspective on the Issue

In my eyes, Thanksgiving has never been about the Pilgrims-- and to many Americans, I question if this is their sole source of celebration, as many people blindly celebrate holidays and have no clue of their history. Although I am sure many people celebrate Thanksgiving as a way to express “thanks,” for me, Thanksgiving serves as another remembrance of how my Native American ancestors were maltreated; annihilated; ousted from their land; and consigned to reservations, eradicating every trace of their pre-existing life.

Thanksgiving rehashes memories of how the hospital staff, in its refusal to treat my great-great grandfather, sent him home to die from pneumonia because he was Native American. Thanksgiving reminds me of how my grandmother had “to pass” as a light-skinned black person to avoid being forced on a reservation... http://angryindian.blogspot.com/2008/11/aisha-ali-dismantling-thanksgiving.html

[QueenOfCalifornia]

23. I lived in Claremont

for 10 years.

they are a bunch of people with nothing better to do. Believe me... they are arrogant about everything. idiots.

[David Zephyr]

24. Tsk, tsk.

Claremont is a great little berg. Arrogant about everything? Everything?

[QueenOfCalifornia]

26. Yes...

EVERYTHING.

Look - I know it is impossible to believe that a bunch of over-educated clowns could be arrogant but it's true.


:rofl: