School District Bans Halloween.....

[Amethyst Rose]

.....because it's offensive to real witches!

http://www.komotv.com/stories/33602.htm

[Shanti]

Will they ban all national celebrations that are connected to religion or culture?

[Tzhebee]

On one hand, it's kind of nice to have PC work towards Wicca (instead of against).

But on the other hand, it's just totally blown out of proportion (like most everything PC, these days).

[Lunamoth]

I have never been offended by those images.

Shall we ban everything that might potentially be offensive to someone? I'm offended by lots of things that are around me in society. *rolls her eys at the world*

[Élistariel]

:wtf: Well I see their logic train just crashed. I suppose next up is Christmas?

[Boogins]

Oh, please.

[Holly Ariadna]

Oh God, that's just ridiculous. I'd buy a pointy hat, paint my face white, grab a broom, and run around the neighborhood. :nyah:

[WynterWynd]

.....because it's offensive to real witches!

http://www.komotv.com/stories/33602.htm
Oh good Gods!!!! How ridiculous is this!!!:G To spoil halloween for a bunch elementary school kids because they're trying to be 'PC'....give me a break!!!

[Sleet]

It's probably a CYA maneuver to ward off a possible lawsuit.

[HolographicJoe]

:wtf: Well I see their logic train just crashed. I suppose next up is Christmas?

Actually, I like the idea. We have long been conditioned to accept those images of witches and it's really high time they were changed. No one goes as a Jew for Hallowe'en, with horns a yarmulka and a big nose, why should they go as a witch with green skin and warts?

Although cancelling one of the few fun things at school is a major tactical error. A harvest party is a better idea. Also, a little education as to why the witch is a harmful stereotype and where it comes from is in order.

And thirdly, Christmas should go. It's irritating and down right offensive to many people, and has no place in public life.

[HolographicJoe]

Oh good Gods!!!! How ridiculous is this!!!:G To spoil halloween for a bunch elementary school kids because they're trying to be 'PC'....give me a break!!!


Where do you draw the line? Shall I go as a negro? Shoe polish, lips, nose..... Or maybe as a Jew? Ringlets, horns, money in every pocket.... Wait, no, I'll go as a Mosl'm, with a towel on my head, dynamite and a beard! Great idea!

The truth is that we are too used to this image of the witch, and accept it unquestioningly. I think the guy is right. The warty green-skinned witch should be cast off as the relic of the Inquisition it is.

[Psyche Ague]

What a bunch of crap. I'm sorry, I'm super PC, but it sounds like more of a ploy to get people pissed off at real witches for ruining their fun.

[Amethyst Rose]

The truth is that we are too used to this image of the witch, and accept it unquestioningly. I think the guy is right. The warty green-skinned witch should be cast off as the relic of the Inquisition it is.

Sorry, but I AM a witch and I do not find this image insulting. Infact, I find it amusing. I dress as a witch for halloween every year.....I have the perfect witch's hat! And the green skin and warty nose makes it even better.
In my opinion, you take yourself way too seriously if you can't have a little fun with a steriotype.

[Avalon]

This is just silly.

[Mab]

I vote "overkill".

[WynterWynd]

Where do you draw the line? Shall I go as a negro? Shoe polish, lips, nose..... Or maybe as a Jew? Ringlets, horns, money in every pocket.... Wait, no, I'll go as a Mosl'm, with a towel on my head, dynamite and a beard! Great idea!

The truth is that we are too used to this image of the witch, and accept it unquestioningly. I think the guy is right. The warty green-skinned witch should be cast off as the relic of the Inquisition it is.
While I may not be a fan of the 'warty faced old hag image' and I do agree that image should be dropped...I don't think ruining a school celebration for children in the name of Paganism is worth it. Most elementary shool children look forward to this from the time they set foot in school on the first day of the year (that and the Winter Festivals).

And if the schools are going to start banning holiday celebrations because it may offend some one/group, then they all should be banned from school curriculum. Jeez...won't that make the school experience all the more fun for the youngsters!:rolleyes:

And if you are so offended by the green skin and warts....then stop wearing them.

[Goddess Rhiannon]

sounds like the Christmas episode of southpark.....where they virtual destroy the holiday...in order to cater to everyone's religious beliefs.......I don't think they should ban the holiday

[Lunamoth]

So... we're supposed to be insulted by the image of the Crone? Because, you know, when you're as ancient as She is, you might not look too pretty either. Isn't it Her time of year, the Samhain celebration? Why don't we ban the dressing up altogether because there's always going to be *someone* who thinks xyz costume crosses some boundary. I'm not going to dictate to everyone else what their boundaries should be, and I don't expect anyone else to do it to me.

Instead of making lemonade, people are squeezing the lemons right into their eyeballs.

[Terestai]

Oh good Gods!!!! How ridiculous is this!!!:G To spoil halloween for a bunch elementary school kids because they're trying to be 'PC'....give me a break!!!

Which is exactly why I'm against being PC in any way, shape, and form. :thumbsup:

[Aowyn]

1 To me the long nose is a sign of knowledge after all it is one of the few body parts that continues to grow throughout a person's life, since the crone aspect is the one associated with halloween then it is logical that the witch represented would be old hence the nose.

2 As for the pointy hat, at one thime it was thought that it made people smarter to wear such. The original dunce cap was used not to humiliate but instead was thought to be helpful.

I think these people are whackjobs for taking things this far. I have seen people dress up all kinds of ways there is no accounting for taste and i think this PC crap is outta control!

[Calen]

This is just silly.

Agreed. I'm not offended by it, and I love Halloween.

[Ravens_Tears]

That's just assinine.

[Jeleia]

You can't do anything anymore without offending someone.

Its sad.

[Xeen]

What's with these STUPID HUMANS??

"I do lots of things that are not revolving around wearing a black outfit and stirring a cauldron,"

Helloooo... Halloween isn't about YOU and YOUR religion. I'm really getting tired of these people's attitudes.

If we keep this up, all Holidays will be banned and we'll only be allowed to wear brown burlap sacks, so as not to OFFEND ANYONE'S GODDAMNED PERSONAL ----FEELINGS!----

[Blair]

That is so stupid. And I was even planning on dressing as a witch this year, minus the old face of course not because I'm being PC or whatever but because I don't like makeup. Why does everyone have to be worried about offending everyone else? Children shouldn't have to deal with this.

[Klucky]

*shrugs* Whatever. *walks off*

-Klucky

[Pure Ahimsa]

Woah...when I saw this subject I was angry b/c I thought they banned it b/c it is "evil".
Good thing that they banned it b/c it is offensive. I guess I shoudl be more optimistic with these things...eh?
lol
Blessed Be

[Mindflayer]

I agree that it's ridiculous to ban Halloween, the part of the article that's bugging me the most is they are using Wiccan and Pagan like one in the same:


The Wiccan, or Pagan, religion is growing in the U.S.
where she explained that Wiccans (or Pagan Clergy) celebrate nature, not Satan.

[witchsmacked]

Woah...when I saw this subject I was angry b/c I thought they banned it b/c it is "evil".
Good thing that they banned it b/c it is offensive. I guess I shoudl be more optimistic with these things...eh?
lol
Blessed Be

Actually, there is a small town, Baker, near Baton Rouge that wanted to ban it all together because it was "anti-Christian" and (gasp!) fell on a SUNDAY! They town big wigs compromised and moved trick or treating to Thursday. :nuhuh:

I say we just chuck all the holidays, religious or not. Then no one will be offended or no one group will be more recognized than the other. _vb_

Can you tell this has been a constant source of conversation over the last few days? :meanface:

[Breathless Falcon]

OK....this is really getting out there. Idea........instead of dressing up for Halloween change the name of the holiday and call it a New Years party lol, think they would catch on?. :muwaha: Adults have to take the fun out of growing up. Whatever happened to teaching our children about the meaning behind holidays or special days. I would ask what is next? Take out birthday treats? but I already know the answer, one year my daughter came home with extra treats from her birthday. When I asked "so and so had to leave the room he/she was not allowed to join in........." :G

I think the PC is going to far and now their trying to put in on offending a witch. We've lasted this long through much worse. What's wrong with a little girl wanting to be a crone? Viewed as wise and knowledgeable to most !

Falcon

[Mad Dame]

That is so sad, lets do overkill and annilate all fun for kids in the name of PC.

[Sleet]

I agree that it's ridiculous to ban Halloween, the part of the article that's bugging me the most is they are using Wiccan and People like one in the same:

They're also using "witch" to mean "Wiccan" - they're not the same, either.

IMHO though that's not worth getting undies in a bundle over. It's good enough for me that they noted that Wiccans aren't devil worshippers - I don't have a problem with leaving the subtleties of pagan diversity for those truly interested.

[halfwaynowhere]

personally, i have never met a witch who was offended by halloween. The witch stereotype can be a bit annoying, but its all in the spirit of halloween, and its always fun. I would often dress up as a witch for halloween as a kid. I would paint my face green, and run around with a pointy hat, cape, and broom. it was a lot of fun, and i don't associate that type of witch with real witches at all. its like they are two different things that share the same name. like vermiccelli. vermiccelli are worms, but they named the pasta after them because thats what it looked like. okay, a bit off topic again. stupid random trivia knowledge.

[Sith]

This is weird. They pagans ina good light but banned Halloween? Why aren't the pagans standing up for Samhain? Kids and adults like it and it can bring people together. Imagine the school having a Halloween party with trick-or-treaters and pagans explaining paganism in a scholarly manner to anyone that asks. Maybe even tarot reading being given. Nothing offensive about that.

As far as the witch stereotype, why get rid of it? It's ugly :sadeyes: but why be so serious about it? It's not like other stereotypes that involved slavery or a Halocaust (burning times was bad but not as bad as what the Jews suffered).

If people keep complaining about things being offensive and having it removed, we won't have anything. Some people get upset over Christmas decorations, some with Halloween, others for Ford trucks. No wonder U.S. society is so divided. People need a :achillpil and :drinking: more often. Then maybe things will improve or at least more sane.

[Lunamoth]

Some people get upset over Christmas decorations, some with Halloween, others for Ford trucks.

I would personally like to lead the world toward a ban on Ford trucks. Especially their commerials (or the ones we're subjected to in Texas anyway).

:kooky: