Posted on 12/15/2016 7:49:04 AM PST by b4its2late
When planning December office parties that coincide with the Christmas season, it is a challenge for event organizers to make celebrations "all-inclusive." Many employers may wish to offer a traditional Christmas or holiday party if they know this approach makes sense for their employees and their organization, notes Mark Kessler, Ph.D., professor of multicultural women’s and gender studies at Texas Woman’s University. However, not all faith traditions have holidays in December, and not everyone identifies with a particular faith tradition. With this in mind, professor Kessler offers two approaches for those who want to make all employees feel included during their end of year festivities.
Approach No. 1: Some organizations may choose to avoid potential missteps by planning a party that is unaffiliated with any faith tradition. For a secular celebration at the office, the following approach is recommended:
~Consider naming the party, if it is scheduled for December, without using the word "holiday." “Holiday” connotes religious tradition and may not apply to all employees. For educational institutions, a December gathering may instead be called an “end of semester” party. For a business office, an “end of (fiscal) year” party may be more appropriate. ~Try to assemble and include a diverse group of employees in the planning of the party. This would include, as much as possible, non-Christian employees of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other religions, as well as non-believers.
~Avoid religious symbolism, such as Santa Claus, evergreen trees or a red nosed reindeer, which are associated with Christmas traditions, when sending out announcements or decorating for the party. Excellent alternatives are snowflakes, snowmen or winter themes not directly associated with a particular holiday or religion.
~Avoid playing music associated with a faith tradition, such as Christmas carols. Consider a playlist of popular, celebratory party music instead.
~Plan a menu that does not symbolize a particular religious holiday (for example, red and green sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees). But don’t forget to consider menu items that reflect dietary preferences and requirements of non-majority groups in your organization (e.g., halal or kosher).
Approach No. 2: Make the party a learning experience. Ask a diverse group of employees to plan the party so that attendees may learn about many different traditions and holidays. For example, representatives from within the organization might:
~Describe a holiday tradition that they have either researched or participated in personally;
~Bring dishes and decorations representative of as many traditions and dietary preferences as possible;
~Choose a multicultural playlist that reflects all faith traditions; and
~Discuss what their holidays or perspectives (e.g., atheists and agnostics) mean to them.
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Page last updated 3:30 PM, December 14, 2016
I think I see the problem here.
LOL. Exactly.
I can’t tell you how fast I would not attend a party like this. The lecturing tone of this invite as well as the list of don’ts like you’re a child is nauseating.
How ‘bout just skipping the party altogether and giving us the afternoon off. Much more enjoyable that way.
....or you can call it a Christmas party and attendance is optional.
Doesn’t #2 contradict what they say they want to achieve? Because if the point is to not be a celebration of any particular holiday or tradition, why then the need to “educate” anyone about other faith traditions or other holidays??
Its like they contradict their own criteria as they establish their non holiday holiday celebration.
Even in my very liberal and very diverse office, this would probably be laughed at.
//Mark Kessler, Ph.D., professor of multicultural women’s and gender studies at Texas Woman’s University.//
As a former professor that is what is known as a professional fail.
Here’s a tip” give the Muslims a day off. And lock the doors if they show up outside the party.
~Avoid religious symbolism, such as Santa Claus, evergreen trees or a red nosed reindeer...
Saint Rudolph?
Anna Ryan’s Email address is . . . unfortunate.
Why?
Do Muslims have to make Ramadan all-inclusive?
Do Hindus have to make Diwali all-inclusive?
Do Jews have to make Hanukkah all-inclusive?
So why do Christians have to make Christmas all-inclusive?
If non-Christians feel left out, too bad. Go find your own holiday and celebrate that. Don’t try to change our culture or ruin it for the majority.
I think it's a safe bet to say, not a Trump voter.
Anything even remotely resembling “fun” or a “party” appears to be missing from both approaches.
Like most lefty academics, the approaches are joyless, sterile and duller than death.
When planning December office parties have plenty of booze and offer large bowls filled with condoms. Merry Christmas! that coincide with the Christmas season, it is a challenge for event organizers to make celebrations "all-inclusive."
Sorry, I do not find “Festivus” funny at all. It is an attempt to water down and squelch the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ.
The same mindset that forces participatory celebration of Gay Pride Month.
Are you trying to trigger a jihadist and his wife?
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