By Dave Fried
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali or Ramadan, my sincere hope is that you had a peaceful and safe 2013 surrounded by your loved ones.
The recent attention over the Robbinsville Christmas tree and Menorah lighting on Dec. 3 at the Foxmoor Greenes was the result of a letter I penned to residents the previous day. The decision to return “Christmas’’ to our vernacular began with internal discussions timed almost perfectly with an e-mail from a township resident who had finally had enough of the political correctness that is consuming our society.
He let me know it. And I could not have agreed with him more.
This was about much more than a Christmas tree. This was about freedom. This was about respecting someone’s right, in both the majority and the minority, to say and believe what they feel; in other words, to exercise their constitutional rights as American citizens.
This was never about any one religion or belief system. We should respect all faiths and allow the individuals practicing those faiths to express themselves freely without prejudice or intimidation.
The response we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. I have even heard from a citizen of Sweden, where the proliferation of “micro-creeping’’ and political correctness now disallows children from singing the national anthem in schools.
In this country, because no one will ever come right out and tell you not to say “Merry Christmas,’’ that micro-creeping chips away at the edges until something such as “Happy Holidays’’ becomes an appropriate response.
Political correctness in our society, especially by elected officials, has gone too far and it is wearing us down by slowly eroding our very beliefs and customs. Simply put, it is damaging our country.
The “PC Police’’ cannot win on straight-up messaging. They win by making us afraid of telling it like it is. They win by making us so afraid that we may offend someone that we give up little pieces of ourselves until only a shell remains.
Many in a position of power and influence are afraid to speak out or do what is right. They know if they do speak out, or ever admit they are wrong, it makes for bad public relations. Show me someone who has never been wrong, and I will show you someone who has not lived and has never made a worthwhile decision in their life.
There are people in this country in charge of making some very important decisions, but they are afraid to change their minds about anything because they will be labeled the dreaded “flip-flopper.’’
Instead, they grit their teeth, play it safe and cling to the status quo of bad ideas or bad policy. People want to be told the truth. If you make a mistake, just admit it. We all need to be problem solvers and not become part of the problem.
This country is an incredible melting pot of cultures and beliefs. It is a flavorful stew that makes our country the wonderful place it is. What we do not want is for that pot to be boiled down to the point where we are all the same, or forget where we came from and what we believe in. We should embrace all of our customs and cultures proudly.
The events of December were about more than a Christmas tree or a Menorah. It was about freedom.
I want to thank everyone for your notes. They have warmed my heart.
Dave Fried is the Mayor of Robbinsville.
