By Brendan Pringle
Forces on high school campuses are actively trying to
"secularize the season," setting political correctness above
religious freedom. Two high school YAF chapters in Michigan have
had to derive creative solutions to celebrate the season at their
respective campuses.
Grosse Pointe South Activists Bypass Secular "Mothers"
Unsatisfied with the decision of their school's "Mothers Club"
to place a secular "Holiday Tree" on campus, the YAF chapter at
Grosse Pointe South High School asked the volunteer organization to
place a Christmas tree in the same room.
 |
 |
| Langston Bowens |
Grant Strobl |
Instead of honoring this simple request, the Chair of the
Decorating Committee lectured YAF activist Langston Bowens, telling
him that public schools are supposed to be secular and that they
were restricted from placing religious items on campus. The
"Holiday Tree," she clarified, was more inclusive as it
incorporated elements from all cultures and religions.
The chair completely contradicted herself during this exchange,
but rather than argue, the YAF club decided to take matters into
its own hands. Bowens convinced the principal of the school to
permit a Christmas tree in the student commons.
Gross Point North Activists Find Faculty
Allies
Grosse Pointe North High School's YAF chapter likewise found a
reasonable alternative after facing passive resistance from the
school administration. The club's idea was to put up a Christmas
tree on campus which would also serve as a drop-off point for
Christmas gifts and donations for families in need.
Hoping to avoid controversy, the administration said they would
"think about it". (The administration is still "thinking about" No More Che Day posters that the students wanted to post back in
October.)
Rather than allow their Christmas spirit to be brushed aside,
these activists, led by Grant Strobl, decided to take a different
approach. They contacted three sympathetic teachers, who agreed to
let them place 6' Christmas trees in their rooms. One teacher is
even helping the activists collect gifts and donations for the
needy.
These YAF chapters offer a stellar example of how to creatively
bypass secularist tendencies on campus in defense of religious
freedom.
Brendan Pringle is a development officer at Young America's
Foundation's Reagan Ranch Center
