Well it's finally happened! Someone has decided to attack a long held childhood celebration under the guise of respect for Canada's social diversity. It seems this year a school principal of the Saginaw Public School, an elementary school in Cambridge, Ontario, decided to cancel the school's annual Halloween costume parade and even go so far as to ban Halloween costumes at the school.
The principal gave three reasons for her heavy handed and somewhat thoughtless dictum. The school claims to teach youngsters from 22 different language and cultural backgrounds. The ban attempted to balance the needs of a diverse community while teaching social norms in society, but it suggests the school official doesn't have fond childhood memories of Halloween. Additionally she suggested, the annual costume parade "made some kids uncomfortable" and "some costumes promote violence."
In her haste to "respect cultural diversity" the principal in question appears to ignore the idea that ALL Canadians are a part of that diversity, including those who like to celebrate Halloween. It would seem acceptable to relegate the cultural diversity of those youngsters to a second class status, if not trampled outright in the rush to political correctness.
One can only wonder what this erudite soul has in mind for other Canadian celebrations such as Remembrance Day, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and those not practiced by those from other cultures attending the school.
Perhaps the "tweet" of R. Lindley who responded to the report of the ban might become foremost in embracing Canada's cultural diversity. Lindley wrote, "We need to start embracing ALL traditions, religious or not. Instead of 'NOT DOING', we need to 'DO'. It is okay to acknowledge all."
Ironically, the News and Events site of the City of Cambridge website welcomed visitors to the site by saying, "Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween." Kinda makes you wonder whether the teacher does actually know best in this case.
