The School Board in Randolph Township, NJ have proposed to eliminate references to holidays, and instead, to just allow days off of school. This proposal prompts this discussion - Why do we have national holidays?
We have national holidays to honor, memorialize and remember some of our Country's most important sacrifices, and events. Examples include memorializing those who have given their lives for our Country, those who have served as President, Martin Luther King, Jr, and our declaration of independence. The days off are not mere days off. That a school board would lose sight of the things that are being marked, honored, remembered is worrisome.
Sure - people can disagree about what things are most important, and which holidays ought to be holidays. The solution is to add, subtract, rotate, change the things we honor.
Why do we honor, memorialize, and remember the subjects of these holidays? Because these things bring us all together. They do not divide us. True, I am jewish and I do not celebrate Christmas, nor is there a national holiday for Chanukah or any jewish holiday. But, we live in a time and place, where I am free to celebrate my holiday and my faith. No one should take this freedom lightly. The founders knew that to achieve our greatness, we needed the First Amendment to the Constitution. That same First Amendment makes it possible for the Randolph Township School Board to have and voice their opinion. As much as I may disagree with the opinion, I will defend to the death their right to have and voice that opinion.
I do consider myself a patriot, and for that, I will not apologize. We are, all of us, blessed to live in the greatest Country ever imagined. Probably this is also the best of times in history, to be alive. The simple pleasure of biting into a sweet, fresh, juicy fruit, or eating fresh fish and meat are reminders of the awesomeness of the times and place in which we live. We take these things for granted. Only 100 years ago, such things were not so mundane.
I hope that the School Board members are wise enough to hear this reminder, to consider alternative opinions, and to change their minds if they agree with my point of view. I hope they will agree with my point of view, but understand that they may not. Ultimately, if a majority agrees with me, the School Board members who stick with their current position may be voted out. If a majority agree with them, maybe they will retain their positions.
The ability to hash out a point of disagreement is at the very core of our great Country. God Bless America.
