Every holiday, from Valentine’s Day to Christmas to New Year’s, has a rich history. One such day with deep roots is Halloween. This major American holiday is celebrated by millions across the country, but its roots emerge from Hallows eve. This holiday was celebrated because it was the day before all saints day, a religious celebration to honor all saints throughout the world. From these beginnings it has grown into the spooky dress-up day we know today where kids choose a costume and then hunt through the night for candy. It has come far from its past and like many holidays has become commercialized where people care more about what they wear and receive then the actual meaning behind the day. And that doesn’t even touch the chocolate goals for the day. Yet this beloved holiday is starting to receive criticism and cancellation within schools.
This has brought an increase in parental complaints, but this issue is not restricted to just Halloween. It is ongoing. With so many different religious celebrations happening in December, it can become a battlefield. Some organizations have pushed their employees to say “happy holidays,” instead of mentioning Christmas. Others prefer the latter.
Some people wonder why Christmas is even a dilemma anymore after all it has become much more about presents and what one will receive instead of the religious meaning of the past. However, schools are still canceling their Christmas parties and events. One specific event has been Christmas programs at the elementary schools. These programs served as a joyous reminder of the magic of the winter holidays. As a relic of the past, many people remember these concerts fondly from their younger days as a heartwarming experience. Cutting the programs has led to more backlash and concern among parents.
Perhaps instead of singing the more religious songs, like “Silent Night” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” kids could sing the non-religious songs such as “Frosty the Snowman.” This could be done instead of ending the entire program. This is a prime example of the minority obliterating a tradition instead of just trying to find a more inclusive compromise.
Halloween is receiving hate because certain religious sects view it as a devil-worshiping holiday and want their children to have no part in it. Another argument is that certain families have trouble affording this commercialized version of the holiday. The costumes that their children want to wear to school can get expensive—especially with inflation at play. These complaints have led to certain schools banning Halloween dress-up activities and celebratory events. They say that their children don’t feel included when they can’t participate in these activities. It doesn’t just stop at Halloween; Christmas is also facing the ax.
Simply omitting the holidays from the school grounds is a blatant disregard of diversity. Being able to wear a costume is how students can express themselves, their cultures, and their experiences. It’s important to be able to express and celebrate diversity and beliefs–and of developing identity. This attack on holidays is an infringement on the rights that we have as citizens of America. The small minority of people that dislike or don’t celebrate Halloween have the power to ban it from entire schools. It just goes to show the power the few have over the many.
School should be a place where people can express themselves so that they feel welcome and accepted no matter what. It should not be a place where the admin can’t support everybody’s views because of fear of retaliation. Marshfield High School is quite lenient when it comes to dressing up for Halloween. However within the student government they have an unspoken rule—they can’t call any sort of event by a holiday name, even if it is in association. For example when they have any assembly in December they can’t call them Christmas assemblies. Likewise, any in October can’t be labeled a Halloween assembly or event. Instead, they have to plan ahead and find or create various loopholes to express themselves.
Diminishing these holiday celebrations is an enrichment of student rights, and a restriction of expression. People should be able to celebrate their diversity, so schools should try and include multiple different celebrations from different cultures around the holidays. Everyone should have a chance to be able to express their celebratory events to their peers and others.
Even if financial standing prohibits one from purchasing the best costume or the greatest gift for someone, that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the class celebrations. The teacher or school can intervene in this situation to help out. Diversity is something that people should salute. Like standing for the flag salute, participation could be a choice. Historically significant celebrations should not be distinguished just because of an outspoken minority. It is a constant battle in America, as it is one of the most diverse countries. The freedom of speech and religion should be exercised in all facets of the community, including schools.
