Santa debate will strengthen the community

To the editor: I think people are missing the point with regard to the Sandfordville Santa matter. I do not believe the person talked of is against Santa Claus, but rather, is against having the PTA of her public school sponsor an event at that public school, which event had been billed on the school’s district calendar as “Breakfast with Santa.” While the vast majority of people in the Warwick area are Christian, there are those who are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc. Santa, whose religious status is debatable, nevertheless represents the holiday of Christmas; a holiday not celebrated by all members in the community. This person was brave enough to come forth, in the face of an overwhelming majority, and suggest that the PTA should change its ways and sponsor a party that would be inclusive of all the school children. Was that such an awful thing to do? This same person even volunteered to sit on the committee overseeing the event and share her expertise in planning large events with its members. In furtherance of this “crazy pipe dream,” she merely voiced an opinion that some in the community were too timid to do. She was not trying to impose her religious beliefs upon the community, but rather to find a way to have an event inclusive of everyone. After all, isn’t that part of what this holiday season is all about? The feeling of “good will to all” shouldn’t only apply to those who share the same beliefs as ourselves. I further note that Dr. Greenhall, himself, indicated that had he caught the event listed in the school calendar, he would have put an end to it right then and there. To those of you who call her a coward for not coming forward with her name, I say nothing can be further from the truth. This person stood up in defense of minorities and her own children. Who among us has been brave enough to stand up in the face of such clear adversity, and what parent would not stand up to protect the rights of their child? And this you call cowardice; all because of a name is not mentioned? Reading some of the online responses to the Santa article, only demonstrates how right she was in not disclosing her name. Why should she subject herself and her family to further ridicule by that hopefully small portion of our community who exhibit ignorance and hatred? One last thought: This person, intentionally or not, touched off a debate in our community over a clearly sensitive issue. That we are able to openly discuss this issue is a tribute to the very country in which we live. Growing up, we were taught in school that this country is a vast melting pot. As new ingredients are added to our own pot of Warwick, it gives us all the opportunity to learn about and to celebrate Warwick’s growing diversity. This is an opportunity which we should all embrace. Kudos to this parent. H. Vinokur Warwick