I was forced to attend an unannounced assembly at our middle school this week. We knew it was coming, just not when. Years ago is was in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Since no one in our schools seems to be able to get anything done on time they changed the name to Latino Heritage Assembly. It was getting strange celebrating Cinco de Mayo in June.
It had some quality, educational moments. A group of children from one of our elementary schools did a couple of dance numbers. They were dressed in beautiful flowing dresses. They twirled and swayed. They were good but they were only about 10% of the assembly. Another major feature was girls in tight clothes dancing and bouncing in such a way that would have made me think of nothing but sex if I were a middle school boy. They were having fun but could not even stay in step.
The part that interested me the most was the anti-Christian bias of the program. As they worked through some of the Latin American celebrations they came to Las Posadas. This is a tradition that comes from Spain and celebrates the journey of the Holy Family looking for a place to stay. They claimed the word meant “journey.” According to the article in Wikipedia it means “lodging or accommodation.” The entire celebration is steeped in the Christmas story and the Nativity. The school version made no mention of the Holy Family or the Christian faith. It was described as a family festival where neighborhoods took turns having everyone over for a meal and a party.
When it came to the Day of the Dead there was a different approach. It was described as a combination between the Catholic and Aztec traditions of honoring the dead. On the stage an altar had been constructed that had death masks and offerings to a dead couple. As the lights were dimmed you could see candles burning on the altar. Students wearing death masks came down the aisles of the auditorium carrying candles. They went up on stage, knelt down in front of the altar and place the candles before it. What we watched was a pagan worship rite.
When it comes to Christian traditions the school is mute. When it comes to demonstrating pagan rituals there are no restraints. This is the separation of church and state that is taking place in the public square.
Home schooling anyone?
homo unius libri
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