Claremont school Thanksgiving costumes create a commotion

Nearly two dozen protesters were stationed this morning in front of Condit Elementary School in Claremont, the site of a decades-old Thanksgiving tradition that is under fire because kindergartners dress up in handmade pilgrim and Native American costumes.

After a handful of parents complained that the Native American headdresses and vests were demeaning, cartoonish stereotypes, the Claremont Unified School District eliminated the costumes from this year's festivities, but allowed the turkey feast to go forward.

The protesters were evenly split between parents who supported the costumes and parents who opposed the outfits, and their discussion grew so heated that school officials called police, who separated the protesters on separate sidewalks, said Lt. Dennis Smith of the Claremont Police Department.

Police are also paying extra attention to Claremont schools Supt. David Cash's home, after he called police to report he was receiving hate e-mails and feared for his safety, Smith said. The e-mails did not rise to the level of criminal prosecution.

Cash and Condit principal Tim Northrop did not return phone calls seeking comment, but school employees reported that the commotion in front of the school was heated.

"It's been wild," said one woman who declined to give her name. Meanwhile, the kindergartners -- some of whom showed up wearing their banned costumes -- frolicked on the playground, eating, running and chattering with friends, Smith said. "The kids were oblivious," he added, "as they should be."

--Seema Mehta

Read the original story here.

Comments

[Alan]

Honestly, aren't there more pressing issues for people to debate than whether costumes can be for a kindergarten class Thanksgiving feast?

[Uh Ooo.]

Here is a great opportunity to engage a local Native American tribal orangization to help educate what dress might have been like and emulate that (as close as a first grade class can do properly). And while you are at it, you can see how they feel about celebrating what we are calling Thanksgiving.

[FTracy3]

Why does it not surprise me that the only parents opposed to this are college professors?

[Michael]

As an observer who was there at the time, I feel compelled to correct a couple of inaccuracies in this account. Whatever one may think about the validity of their position, the fact is that the Native Americans were protesting very quietly and were calm and collected the entire time. The only "heated" interchanges I saw -- and I was right next to them -- consisted of pro-costume parents yelling angrily at the protesters. Also, the police separated no one. Mike Bateman, a school district official, asked the Native American protesters to go across the street, and they complied with his request before the police arrived. The pro-costume parents had set up a refreshment table directly in front of the school, and were allowed to maintain their presence there. Mr. Bateman told me he made his request because he didn't want students to hear the "discussion." In fact, there was no discussion; there were only angry parents yelling at the Native American protesters. It was only at the moment when one of the protesters quietly began to respond to a shouting parent that Mr. Bateman asked him to go across the street. "Discussion" over.

[olivia]

what is happening to this world? no more fun

[emcee]

PATHETIC -PATHETIC - PATHETIC These administrators are out of their mind, once again don't let the FACTs get in the way of history. These school officials have obviously forgotten that they work and live on the very land once walked on and "owned" by native Americans? Kinda hard to teach evolution and history when you haven't done either.

[Michael]

I'd like to add one more observation. Lt. Smith is correct in mentioning that the kids were oblivious. I'm not sure what he meant by saying "as they should be." For one thing, to see how adults behave when their emotions get the better of them can be very educational. In addition, to see how people in the minority are treated when authority sides with the majority against them is also very instructive. To see people try to exercise their right to protest, and to see what happens when they do, is also a great lesson. Perhaps an unfortunate but useful lesson would have been for the kids, right after their celebration, to watch some of their parents yelling at Native Americans, rather than trying to listen to why the Native Americans considered the costumery demeaning and offensive to them.

[Chief Amadeus]

Anyone who would take away this innocent fun event from children is an inconsiderate irrational oversensitive bully and must be stood up to.

[confucius]

Hmmm.... If the Native Americans are complaining because it is demeaning, let the pilgrims dress and the Indians not dress. I hope the pilgrims don't get offended. I need to go gamble at Pechanga so I can give more money to Native Americans.

[DRE DAWG]

It's really a silly thing when one person complains and everyone else has to suffer. Especially since the kids already spent time making their costumes. It's a tradition about the past, it is no reflection on the present day Native American culture. What followed after the "First Thanksgiving" is nothing short of a holocaust with entire native american tribes being murdered and completely wiped out. But some how the purpose and spirit of Thanksgiving has to come through. The PC nature of college professors (as the woman who complained was) is off the charts to begin with, you can't talk sense to those people. She, instead, should have suggested that the kids add something to their costume that pertained to the native americans who lived in that area in that time. This could have made those non-descript native american costumes something more meaningfull and thoughtfull.

[SonoranSteve]

Right on Principal Northrop! Thanks for standing your ground on this. Is it deaming to dress like a Viking? A Roman? A knight in Shining Armor?An Aztec Warrior? A Pilgrim? Why is is suddenly bad and offensive to dress like a Native American from Northeast America 400 years ago? These Anti-Thanksgiving agitators are vomiting pure hatred and they are disgusting. They know better too, but live to hate America. I think they probably even hate themselves....

[Jair]

The last line of this article: "the kids were oblivious...as they should be" pretends to be a call to our common sense; but I wonder if we would have the same attitude if some crazy schoolmaster would organize a "frolicking on the playground" of kids dressed up with concentration camp customes and nazi regalia, or perhaps, of kids with traditional muslim customes and hindu dress. Would the author close his article with the same line?

[eric]

The residents of Claremont need to get a grip! What horrible examples to set for the children.

[Willy]

What is really disgusting are the parents who protest these costumes and project their twisted political correctness into kids and idiotic costumes

[Jim Bob]

Another example of political correctness run amok.

[Susan]

Lt. Smith, Superintendent Cash, principal Northrup and the "nearly" 24 protesters have better things to do with their time than worry about a bunch of 5-year-olds in made-up costumes. And if they don't, or can't think of any, I'd be glad to make some suggestions.

Start with, grow up.

[Stephanie]

Is this not crazy? Geez, before you know it the next thing to be complained about will be dressing up for Halloween followed by decorating Xmas trees and other assorted fun stuff I remember getting to do in school when I was a child. I'm glad the kiddos had a good time regardless of the protest outside. It's also crazy that the super is getting hate mail and fears for his safety over this. Just ridiculous!

[Debby Detering]

Why not ban alll public celebrations because somebody might be offended? Even Fourth of July, because persons of British heritage could object.

I don't see how it's demeaning to recognize that Eagle feather headdresses were used (and of great cultural significance) by at least some Native American tribes. And you can't expect kindergarteners to have real ones instead of paper ones any more than you can expect them to sew their own pilgrim costumes. I don't see why it's demeaning to remember that the first Thanksgiving was one time when two cultures met for feasting instead of on the battlefield.

[Joseph]

When the families that protested the simple fun of tiny children resume their normal lives and purchase Christmas Trees I'll arrange for Greenpeace and the Sierra Club to protest at their homes. Live balanced and fight for a better world.

[Jon K.]

Urgh. Political correctness is a disease. This is ridiculous.

[Anne]

I agree with Uh Ooo. Why not turn this into a positive discussion. These parents are setting a bad example for their kids.

[andrea]

It is true that the kindergarten/elementary version of Thanksgiving taught to children is shallow and full holes- historically speaking. Still, children can only grasp the most basic concepts at such a young age. The deeper, and sometimes uglier side of American history comes out in middle school and high school. Protesting costumes to the point where police needed to intervene is ridiculous. Bring in an expert to lecture to the students if necessary, but practice caution! The brutal realities of colonial life are not for the ears of 5-year-olds.

[Jon K.]

Political correctness is a mental sickness which tries to convince the world that a person or group's over-sensitivity is everyone else's problem. It's not.

[michael hill]

P.C. out of control..ridiculous waste of time..no matter what the P.C. brigade says..kids will always..play cowboys and Indians..shoot each other with cap guns and fingers..mow each other down with toy uzi's..call each other bad names...spit at each other..and YES..GOD FORBID..DRESS UP AS PILGRAMS AND INDIANS>>FOR THANKSGIVING

[marion]

I was at mountain view this morning. i say that if a parent doesn't want their child to participate in this, then KEEP THAT CHILD OUT. don't try and ruin it for all of the kids. my mom told me that one of the kids came home CRYING because he worked so hard on his costume and wasn't going to be able to wear it. this is innocent fun for them!!! it makes learning about the pilgrims and indians more fun for the kindergarteners!!

[tom]

just a typical UC professor against such a thing. UC colleges- what a waste of an education.

[Frank]

How ridiculous that this PC hypersensitivity lingers on like a foul odor. The school is merely carrying on an innocent tradition that hurts no one except those who are looking for any excuse raise their fists in imbicilic outrage. Such hypersensitive morons should find a real issue to be outraged about, but they are obviously too daft to recognize one.

[huhwhut]

white people shut up... dress like a fool in your own house....

[huhwhut]

christians complain more then the liberals do....

[whuthe]

kids can be kids, so the next time a child wants to dress like virgin marry or the devil to school ...it will all for fun...

[Samuel]

The Native Americans have every right to protest. So do the parents. To say the parents were not setting a good example is ridiculous. In fact they were setting a fine example. The children got to witness the right to protest.

The real tragedy in all of this is that a 20 year tradition is wiped out because of a complaint. The district got scared of a lawsuit and negative press but got the negative press anyways. This country continues to erode when we let the few determine our future because of politcal correctness.

[BluGrass]

Let's all remember that the original Thanksgiving had nothing to do with anybody vanquishing anybody else. It was an old farmers' tradition of saying thanks after the harvest had been put in. Agricultural people all over the world did it, including those Native Americans who cultivated. Surely there's time to have a thanksgiving without having to turn it into discussion of the brutality that both the Europeans and the Native Americans showered down upon each other. If you know your American history, there's plenty of horror stories on both sides to go around. Thanksgiving, though, transcends all skin colors, and we should spend the time without yelling or protesting. And, yeah, I personally give thanks for the freedom of speech we all enjoy. Best to all.

[Trevor]

I remember everyone wanting to dress like the Indian because the pilgrims looked silly. Are they protesting the stereotype of white people dressing with lame belt buckles on their hats? If not, I don't get the issue.

[Rick]

This has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. These people are missing the entire point of what the children are celebrating... two opposing groups of people, the pilgrims and indians, set aside their differences for a day and had Thanksgiving. A very positive thing to do and something that like it or not; is history.

The original protester thought this was no different than dressing the children up like Jews and Nazis; but then there was never anything positive in that conflict.

Why don't we just do away with Santa Claus and all of the days we celebrate something historical to prevent anyone from being offended. The heck with what the kids think! I don't want to be offended.

Not to mention what could possibly be offensive about a kindergartener dressed up to celebrate Thanksgiving. I mean the pilgrims and indians did dress that way back then didn't they?

Think of what you are teaching your children! It is not very positive!

[plankbob]

Thank you, Michael, for your observations. They added a lot to the story, a story that needed details like yours. Something's lacking when those details are missing from a story. It didn't mention that the protesters were Native Americans.
American history is full of myths that need dispelling.

[Kevin Rodgers]

We have raised a nation of narcissists, whereby any single person feels the whole world should stop on its axis and bow to their every need. There's a time and place to fight for your rights: gay marriage, wars, equal opportunity for all, the war on drugs, poverty & terrorism. All of these lofty issues are worth fighting for. But five year olds parading in pilgrim and Native American clothing for a day? These kids have fun for a few hours and will most likely forget about that day until the next year. This is not part of a grand conspiracy of institutionalized hate against the indigenous. One person, a Condit parent and UCR nazi/professor Michelle Raheja, gets her PC feelings hurt and decides, instead of pulling her kid out of school for the day, to shut down harmless fun for all kids at the school. Well done, selfish baby boomer! You've managed to mute the fun for all kids and parents and yank away decades of benign tradition.

[Alexandra]

When I was in elementary school, our school had pilgrim and Indian dress up as well and I don't think it was demeaning at all. If anything, I feel that it helped me to appreciate Indian culture more than I would have. I say this because Thanksgiving parties in elementary school place Native Americans in a positive light while children are still young and forming their personal views for the future.

[Michael]

When sensible minds prevail, as they ultimately will in our town, there will be some real discussion of the issues involved here -- and there are issues. One is, when people complain about something, or differ with our own view, it's probably more fruitful to hear them out than to shout them down, which is what happened this morning at Condit. I'll say it again -- the haranguing and the refusal to listen here was on the side of the pro-costume parents. The Native Americans got an earful, and didn't get a chance to say anything. People have heard of the mob mentality, but surprisingly never see it in themselves, whatever their ethnicity or beliefs. And I want to make clear that the parents who were yelling at the protesters do not represent all of us in Claremont or the Condit community.

[Maria-D]

What a shame, that a cute little kids event was turned into a major political brouhaha because of one dumb woman standing on her "I'm Offended!" soapbox. If she felt that insulted, and didn't want her daughter traumatized, then for pity's sake, STAY HOME and don't ruin somebody else's good time! What a narcissist!

The result is even the most tolerant Californians among us are starting to get to the point that they are tired of the bullying of the political correctness crowd and saying amongst themselves that enough is enough. Thanksgiving is a National holiday and it THANKS GOD for His provision and HONORS the people of different colors and races who got together to celebrate. What irony that same holiday is causing this divisiveness in this day and age!

When you tolerate stupidity, you get more of it. Some people just aren't happy unless they are making others as miserable as they are. It's time regular folks stand up and let our voices be heard.

[Steve Hollar]

I am so sick of liberal lunatics. Why don't they just go find an island to live on so they can sit around with sour looks on their faces, prohibiting any kind of enjoyment that might offend someone.

[Linda Ann]

Goodness gracious, what is this world coming to? We allow a silly groups of people determine what we do for every darn holiday nowadays. They complain and Christmas is now Winter Holiday. They see a problem in mentioning God. Now this. Well they can kiss off and grow up. It is history. Why must we comply to their desires? I plan on calling it Christmas, yes with CHRIST in it. Indians and Pilgrims are part of our nation's history, like it or not and chiladren enjoy learning about it and being able to "take part" in the holiday. These people need to find productive hobbies.

[Chauncy]

It was the UCR professor/parent/fascist that took it upon herself to wipe out decades of harmless tradition for her selfish reasons. Baby boomers raise their kids in a Utopian world, where everyone gets trophies at little league games that no longer keep score in fear of some child's parent crying that their child will be scarred forever if they have to cope with defeat. This also applies to parents who want to ban peanut-related foods at their precious child's school because there is a small chance their moronic child will mistakenly shove a payday bar down their throat and die. So all the kids will have to pay the price of a few psychopathic parents. All the while these hippie-turn-parents attempt to constantly use positive reinforcement on their kids, stressing to them that their angels cannot possibly do any wrong in this world. Humility is an anathema to these types of PC parents. Everyone has seen these types of sick parents: they just wanna be their kid's "friend" and be the eternal good guy, as opposed to their proper parent that ultimately does the right thing and prepare their child to handle obstacles in life on their own. I've had many friends in elementary, middle and high school that have had "cool" parents that never impose an rules or restrictions on their kids behavior. They grow up the most selfish, twisted, Zanax-hazed patients only a psychotherapist and their mother could love.

[Steve]

Right on Andrea! Look at the context! Kindergartners are trying to figure out how to play nicely on the playground and pay attention in class. Let Thanksgiving be an example of cooperation between different people. It isn't historically accurate, but the Thanksgiving myth is important to our understanding of American ideals. It gives us something to live up to.

[bwunderlick]

oh boy, when the pro-pc comments show up are they going to feel foolish!

oh wait, no one is pro-pc, it's just some abstraction people attack when someone else has the gall to suggest something is offensive. like dressing up your kid like the lady on the butter and acting like it has some deep moral/historical meaning about....something.

i forgot, it's fun! how dare those pc thugs ruin our minstrel shows, it's so much fun! and we've been doing it for something like, 15 whole years!

[lisa]

Costumes. We all wear them. Throughout history they change. What a wonderful way for the little ones to learn about those who walked before us.

[Frank]

I have lived in Claremont almost my whole life and i am NOT suprised about this. If you have ever been to Claremont there is absolutley NOTHING for these people to do but go and protest over 5 year old kids. I did the same thing when i was the same age and its just stupid that people act this way how little kids are dressed. Ever since we were little we have been told the pilgrims came on the mayflower the indians greeted and cheered us and we shared a big meal. What are we going to tell the kids, the pilgrims basically murdered the indians and pushed them onto reservations to live. Have some common sense people they are LITTLE KIDS who dont know right from wrong!!!!!!!

[Michael]

There was more "freedom of speech" in Iraq under Saddam Hussein than there was at Condit this morning. The protesters, who were very softspoken when they weren't silent, were harangued until they left, much as they are being harangued now by bloggers who weren't there and who know nothing about our town. There was no good example set for our children -- and it wasn't the fault of the protesters.

[Robert]

Why don't they celebrate thanksgiving the old fashion way? Invite all the neighbors over, throw a big feast, then kill them and steal their land.

[Tim_CA]

Great...Now the loons are perverting a holiday tradition that celebrates a day that people put aside their diferences, sat down, gave thanks, and shared a meal together. Whether this really occured or is folklore is irrelevent, the message is valid and good, and the tradition is cherished.

Now, because some nut-job wants to play the perpetual victim, it's ruined for a group of innocent children - and the message (of brotherhood, tolerance and thankfulness) is lost.

Ms. Raheja - you really need to get a life. Fill the pathetic hole in your soul with something other than disdain - this is a celebration, and a time for reflection and nothing else. Please, go somewhere else to search for your 15 minutes of fame and let our little ones have fun, pretend to be Pilgrims and Native Americans and enjoy their day.

[Mike]

As the see-saw conquest of Sicily was coming to a close, 12'th century rule under the Christian King Roger II was remembered for providing an umbrella of multi-ethnic, religious tolerance for a period. No it didn't last, but remembering and celebrating such a period would be worth while. So, what's the harm in dressing up too? Do we need Kindergarten 101 lessons in PC costumes ?

[PAM]

Does this professor even remember what Thanksgiving was really about? An oppressed group from Europe known as the pilgrims came to America to practice their religion freely, live in peace, and through the agonizing reality of traveling from afar, having to survive, the very kind and gracious Native Americans they met freely helped them. In the end they feasted together, people of different faiths, from different lands, celebrating their thankfulness. I think this "Thanksgiving" celelebration between these Claremont kids teaches kindness, sharing, and celebrating diversity and the great things that happened in America's history. Yes, many Native Americans were later killed and hurt by non-pilgrims, but the spirit of Thanksgiving is not that, it is of immense gratitude and friendship despite any differences.

Shame on the staff and the professor who tried to ban this festivity that celebrates peace, equality, thankfulness, and sharing.

[american-american]

These people who complain "What about the Jews, Muslims, Nazis" WAKE UP!!! THey had absolutely NOTHING to do with the start of this country! The TRUE stories about the Pilgrims and the Indians not only should but MUST be celebrated. That is what Thanksgiving is all about and that beginning is the asis for the starting of this country!

When I was in school, I always took part in our Thanksgiving programs. I taught us all many things. We learned the importaince of cooperation, tolerance and forgiveness. It is obvous that NO BODY ELSE HERE ever learned this.

I give thanks to all my great teachers, my mother and many others who taught me to respect and help anyone and everyone, just like the Pilgrims and Indians of Plymouth.

These people who complain about the degrading Indian and Pigrim costumes probably let their little girls dress like WHORES on Halloween but think it is wrong to show pride and thanks for where America started!

[Kim]

WOW...Are we all that bored that this matters so much. Isn't there anything else going on? Last week I heard parents say that the siblings of the children who paricipated last year are broken hearted because they were so looking forward to this event. Please these kids are 4 and 5 years old! Looking forward to this event....They are feeling what they hear their parents say. I feel like people need to get a life!!! And I live here in Claremont. I think both sides are ridiculous and feed off drama!!!!! Please try to keep your drama from ruining what is one of the greatest school districts in the US!!!!! You should all be ashamed!

[Clare]

Well...since they find a Thanksgiving so objectionable I guessing the Wounded Knee Re-Enactment and Carnival is really in trouble.

[KO]

I agree with the poster (Uh Ooo) who suggested that the parent who started this use it as a teaching opportunity as opposed to having no dress-up at all, which serves no purpose. Ms. Raheja could have worked with the schools and used her knowledge of her family's ancestry to educate the students about how some Native American tribes dressed. The sad thing to me here is that these students look forward to this activity and go into it with the best of intentions. I don't think the kids intend to mock when they dress, but to use their creativity to interpret historical events as they picture them. Unfortunately, as adults we often lose the ability to look through the innocent eyes of a child and not assume the worst of motives behind people's actions.

[dudeman1961]

Yeah, the story may be partially fabricated, but how is telling 5 year olds that '2 different cultures sat downin friendship to give thanks to their creator and each othe for what thye haver' so terrible? In another part of the state my son's school did this and it was so cute. We have indian blood way back, and he thought it was so cool to be the indian, which according to the story were the one's who helped teach the pilgrims how to plant the corn successfully.

As others have said,.try to look at it through the eyes of a 5 year old, with innocence and awe of a story of friendship and helpfulness and love for others.

The anti-celebrators are messed up!

[debrisbox]

this is better than Jerry Springer

[Carolyn Gonzales]

STOP! the nonsense. If there is a problem with what the children were wearing, why did the protesters not offer a 'CORRECT form of attire". The future "Native Americans" (back in the 1700's they were identified as Indians, no disrespect, it is a heritage of honor - my greatgrandmother shared that heritage) in anycase, they were wearing something. So, get the costume straightened out, and let's move forward - - We should NOT STOP the activity. Exactly, what is demeaning? There were no slurs, no one upmanship, the Pilgrims outfits were pretty hilarious too. Perhaps we, as a people , have lost our sense of purpose, so we try to forge one out of insignificant issues. It is only when one has no pride that they are offended so easily.

[tarbubble]

At my 6-year-old's school they did the standard silly paper faux Plains Tribes headdresses today. I didn't notice any Pilgrims, but I'm sure there must have been a few. I do sort of wish they would either get the Native American garb right or not do it at all. But I feel the need to point out that the population at our school is overwhelmingly Central American. So is it equally offensive when a bunch of Mexican/Nicaraguan/Panamanian (etc) Indians dress up?

I kind of look at Thanksgiving as a fantasy of what could have been, what should have been. The kids will learn about the Native American holocaust soon enough, but it's nice that they get taught some idealism before they have to face the reality of what happened.

[Stacey]

I had an American Indian friend tell me once that they do not celebrate "Thanksgiving" because it was supposed to be a going away party. The complaints here about the political correctness of the decision make me sad. After four hundred years we still don't seem to be able to muster any shame or remorse about the treatment of American Indians that was tantamount to genocide. How can you not see how they might be offended by the institutionalized carictures of American Indians in our schools. Here's an idea, why don't we try to be respectful of everyone.

[Kimberly]

Let us all take a second to think about what city our children are so blessed to attend school in. In a time of MID YEAR school budget cuts and potential layoffs for most school districts... Claremont District and David Cash have worked tirelessly over the last few years to assure that our school would not have mid year cuts. Not only will every single child who attends a Claremont School recieve music and art this year... but our children will not lose programs in the middle of the year. Other children in the US are not as lucky. And here we are, so caught up in the emotion of this event that we overlook what it does to our school and the people who have worked so hard to assure the education of our children. Now I know that quite a few of the people fighting this battle are new to our school district as Kinder parents. They may not know how hard our district works for our children. AND in allowing the emotion of both sides to fester into David Cash and the principal at Condit getting phone calls is ridiculous. I would hope that people were grateful for their children to live in this district! I am disgusted that these parents act out of emotion and turn into children themselves. (both sides) Please get back to reality and realize how lucky you are to be here in Claremont and that your children are healthy. And leave our Dr. Cash and our principals alone. They work too hard for your children and do not deserve this. They take care of plenty of small children every day. They should not have to deal with full grown children!

[Parent]

What are missed on this article are signs that these protestors had. The signs said "Don’t Celebrate Genocide" and "Racist" the racist sign had an arrow on it and when kids were walking by they were pointing the arrow to the kids. The School Board and the Superintend is not going to stop this celebration.

There was also another Native American holding a sign in support of the celebration.

[TJ]

Claremont has always had it's share of sniveling lukewarm liberals....add in a recent version of today's oh so sensitive english teachers and, well, what ELSE would you expect. Cheers to those who stand for a tradition tied in with the early years of our country...a tradition that, lo and behold up to now has NOT caused the world to reverse it's direction, or ruined the remaining years of a normal fun loving kid. Oh, that's right,,, perhaps the children of said teachers aren't supposed to have much fun.

[Teach]

I'd like to see the children dressed up like slaves and slave sellers. or even like the people at Hiroshima after the nuclear bomb, just for fun, you know.

[Amused]

Where else but in California has P/C replaced common sense!

[Mike]

I'm not even going to buy gas in Claremont anymore. Just pass by on the freeway and laugh. What a freakin' joke.

[Clare]

the really sad thing about this whole thing? In 1621 the pilgrims and local Native Americans did celebrate a common Thanksgiving dinner. They eventually did agree on a peace treaty and although it didn't last forever, for a full fifty years they did continue to live in peace. When you consider the life expectancy of anyone in 1621 fifty years is well within the the average lifespan. Therefore just about anyone (certainly any adult) present at that first Thanksgiving DID enjoy a peaceful co existance with the nearby strangers for the rest of their lives. Certainly that is something to celebrate. I really can't imagine what this woman is complaining about. Unless she's got some really specific gripe about the costumes- I can't see how its anything other than a helpful historical lesson.

[Susan Aleman]

Our money is going up in flames in the stock market. You need to worry about our economy not our childrens' Thanksgiving events! Shame on you! Thank you parents who kept our tradition of wearing costumes today. You all looked great!

[D.A.M.!]

What about the CLEVELAND INDIANS ?????? They need help ! ! ! !

[bryan]

I would have to agree with comments about appreciateing the Native American culture more when i participated in those corny Thanksgiving activities in elementary school. You have to start somewhere. They will learn more details as they get older just as i did. You can't start with the whole enchilada at 5 years old, they will lose interest. Whose to say that the kindergarten interpretation of a real native american headress isn't accurate anyway. Cartoonish stereotypes? No, try simple diagrams. As an architect I draw simple diagrams of very complex systems all the time. It helps my audience LEARN. If i just showed them the actual system, they would walk away gaining nothing from the meeting.

[Carlos]

The original article mentions the fact that Native Americans are on both sides of this issue. I am a long-nosed darkskinned 3/8 Indian, and used to work on the Reservation. I take no offense to children dressing up as Indians. I feel like they are honoring my people.

Also the person who commented that 'white people need to shut up' regarding this issue is unreasonable. It's like saying that only Han Chinese and Tibetans can have a valid opinion regarding the staus of Tibet.

These 'Indian' College professors are not representative of most Indians. Indians have the highest rate of military service based on ethnicity, and tend to be very patriotic.

[havesomemanners]

So let me get this straight: so many people are taken by the sweet story of how famously the Pilgrims and the Native Americans allegedly got along that they are willing to angrily shout down present-day Native Americans who are offended by their cartoonish representation. Some are sending hate mail, lots of people commenting here are calling the protesters "PC" as if that somehow trumps all other arguments.

Those of you who express anger at the protesters are exposing your guilt by being so defensive. You know it's wrong to teach children that Native Americans are just colorful entertainment figures from the past, yet you belligerently insist on your right to be offensive. Whose really being PC, the people who want to preserve a little historical dignity, or the fools who insist on their "right" to denigrate others?

[Rebecca]

My son attended Condit and got a good education. For that I give thanks.
My son attends UCR now, OMG.....! For that I need to pray harder.

[LokalYokal]

My wife and I have enjoyed living in Claremont for three years. We love this city! I'm glad, however, that our children are grown and that we didn't have to subject them to the ridiculousness of this morning's demonstration.
I grew up in Pennsylvania...learned how to shoot a gun and a bow. I loved Indian Lore and always had a deep respect for Natve Americans even before the term existed. Never once, in all my years in school nor since have I felt predjudiced. Anti-semitism is taught. The teachers in my school never taught that, however. We were taught that at Thanksgiving there were no bad guys...only good. As best as we could we decorated and celebrated. As a result, I think I have a sense of what happened that day when people from two cultures came together to give thanks.
No, it''s not appropriate to act out the Holocaust with 5-year-olds! But Pilgrims and Indians at Thanksgiving? What a great tradition!

[Carolyn]

BRAVO for the Claremont parents who stood up to the politically correct BULLYS. They set a WONDERFUL example for their children - that one of the founding principles of this country is the right to FREE SPEECH and to fight against TYRANNY.

[Josh Norris]

The thanksgiving story is a myth. So is the characterization of Indians as warm nieghbors. So is the characterization of Pilgrims as morally driven. The frightened of the truth crowd really wants to hold on to this one. If this myth is taught in school it should not be taught under the pretext of "history", rather it should be treated as any other myth, say, like Paul Bunyan or Buffalo Bill.

[common sense]

Hey havesomemanners,
If they were truly Indians out there protesting, then they are the 1% of the Indian population that is offended by this. The kids dress up in costume to honor them, and that shouldn't be objectionable to any race. I truly think that for some reason, the more booksmart people get (professors), the less common sense they have. Maybe one of you professor weenies should get a government funded grant to study that! I'm sorry, but you and your professsor friends are nutjobs, I just wish you had the common sense to see it.

[Justamom]

There's a good discussion to be had here about history, but what I'm seeing is too much heat and not enough light. Intimidation tactics are so unnecessary. The principal and the superintendent and the school board are all charged with making these tough calls, after consulting with a variety of people. Express an opinion sure, but sending hate mail? Come on people, it's Thanksgiving week.

[Marcus Murcur]

After reading all this bickering about such a small idocy, I am reminded of the most effective means of protest - econonomic. Remember, the school receives money from the state for each little pilgrim and injun who attends the school. If those parents really want to protest - pull your little darlings out permanently and cripple the system, why don't you? - Ozzy

[JR]

I maintain the bigger crime in the whole affair is the refusal to acknowledge the recipient of the thanksgiving...GOD.

Are the children in Claremont taught the real truth about Thanksgiving - that it was, and is, a day set aside to honor, praise and give thanks to God?

[NoWayNoHow]

To the people who comment to ask why we're outraged over this PC nonsense: it's because we haven't gotten outraged often or quickly enough. PC doctrine is destroying this country.

The events that happened after the Americans came to this country were not a 'holocaust' or a 'genocide'. It was war. We won. You can spend your whole life looking through history and weeping over all the people who were wronged by one group or another, but you won't have time for anything else.

And the costumes aren't specifically injurious to Indians. The Pilgrims didn't wear those costumes either! The Pilgrim costume as we know it is a fabrication created by an 18th-century painter, just like the Indian costumes. It's not about rote historical accuracy or sensitivity to other vanquished cultures or any of that PC hippie nonsense. It's a celebration of our country, and of giving thanks for bounty. It's tradition.

[Leann]

Only in Claremont.

[John Doe Ray Me]

There is a lot of misinformation out there about this issue. (Imagine that)

I am a Claremont resident and have 1 child in Condit (albeit older) and one that recently moved on to Jr. High via Condit. Some points that may provide some clarity:

#1 - This entire episode blew up, primarily, due to the general incompetence of the principal @ Condit. Rather than take the professor's complaint and give real, meaningful thought and research to the issue, the event was summarily cancelled without so much as a conversation with those that would be affected by this decision. It's par for the course with this principal.

#2 - It wasn't a 50/50 split of protestors/supporters as has been widely reported. The protest group was comprised primarily of the professor, her peers and some of her students. There were very few, if any, Condit/Mt. View parents sitting in protest.

#3 - Dave Cash is a drama queen. It would be fair to question the veracity of his "hate mail" claim.

#4 - To those who have proposed that it would be wonderful if Condit (or any elementary school) could take this opportunity to bring in Native American scholars to teach age appropriate history and culture to the students: Great Idea! Condit has a long history of doing just that. It was assumed by the professor (and others) that this has been lacking at Condit and that couldn't be further from the truth. My chiildren can tick off the numerous positive, and educational, encounters they had with local Native Americans thoughout their time at Condit Elementary.

John

[disgusted at comments]

Wow. The hateful and hostile behavior of the pro-costume parents about htis issue iis really unfathomable -- and the comments here supporting it equally so. People, just because you did something as a child doesn't mean we can't rethink it a generation later! People used to dress in blackface, and play "Little Black Sambo" too -- but we've learned that is not respectful or appropriate. Isn't there something we can learn here? The viciousness of this reaction (vandalism? hate mail?) makes it seem like there's a lot of power in the performance of this stereotype. (and in what way is putting on headbands and feathers NOT a stereotype? would you want your ethnicity to be portrayed in a cookie-cutter way by people pretending to be like you -- but who clearly have no respect for you or interest in learning or hearing what you have to say?..) I'd been considering moving to Claremont where my kids could go to what I'd heard was a "good" school system. It sounds like the Superintendent is a courageous man (and I hope the people who vandalized his home are prosescuted for hate crimes, as they should be) -- but I would NOT want my kids to be part of a school community where parents act so visciously to another parent or to a minority community.

[Maria-D]

commonsense, your post is absolutely dead on. This episode shows the divide between what passes for the intelligentsia and the rest of us unwashed common folk. It's all for the children, they say, but in this case it's the children who are being hurt, and that's the extent of their understanding. Will they grow up resenting Native Americans because of this foolish woman? It's surprising what little kids remember...they are more aware than you think, and they are far quicker to discern the truth than adults.

"When the modern liberal mind whines about imaginary victims, rages against imaginary villains and seeks above all else to run the lives of persons competent to run their own lives, the neurosis of the liberal mind becomes painfully obvious." Dr. Lyle Rossiter, author of The Liberal Mind: Psychological Causes of Political Madness.

If the shoe fits!

[Craig]

As a long time Claremont resident I am disappointed in the school officials. It is obvious that this woman has an ulterior motive and should not be allowed to impose her political views on the rest of the student population. Thanksgiving is a time of people coming together in peace and gratitude. Our traditional way of teaching it to our young children is one of innocence, not politics. I am curious if this is the first time that this woman has a child in a public school. If it is, and she is offended, perhaps she needs to consider private school or, better yet, home schooling. If she is a professor I am sure she is qualified to teach her child adequately without imposing her views on the general public.

[Cynthia Franklin]

In the context of Hawai'i, playwright Alani Apio calls the kind of cultural practices that Michelle Raheja protests "1000 little cuts to genocide." At the same time as Raheja is mocked and trivialized for protesting a "harmless" tradition, the vitriol and outpouring of responses her efforts have met with speak to the ways in which settlers feel it is their right and privilege to "play Indian" and at some level indicate that settlers know that their actions are wrong--that they constitutes an ongoing, everyday assault on the dignity and rights of native peoples. Claremont School is lucky to have Michelle Raheja there to educate its children and their parents.

[Juliettemomof3]

and people wonder why I homeschool????? jeez!!!!!

[Native Warrior...]

Both side of this whole mess are in the wrong....Its the rights of non-native american parents to demand that their children be taught history in a rated E version because they are ashamed of what their ancestors did, so its washed clean to make everyone feel better. Now on the part of you natives, this fight is kinda embarrassing, your picking on children, they dont know better. I know tons of issues in Indian country, regarding BIA trust issues, and sacred lands issues, and programs for reservation youths, are a better fight because there is way more to gain, this fight does not advance us all as a native people.

[PapaTom]

Contrary to some opinions, Mr. Cash is a very respectful superintendant, who acts in the interest of the community. As a conservative resident of Claremont, I see all kinds of political correctness throughout this liberal town. Heck, it infuriiates me that my kids cannot wear costumes to school on Halloween, because the school district is so politically correct. So, it surprises me that there weren't more people in support of the Native American protests. Davide Cash and the school board probably felt they were making the right decision based on the political demographics of the city's population. And, eventhough I do not agree with the decision to hold the event without costumes, it is not at all justified to send hate email to the administrative heads.

[arapahoman]

The separatists at Plymouth lived with the Wampanoag people mostly in peace - though not a perfect peace - for many years thanks to a wise leader named Massasoit and his ambassador to the colony named Tisquantum.

It seems good to me that little children learn of this peaceful relationship and re-enact the gathering of the separatists and the ninety or more Wampanoag men at a feast of thanksgiving. If making little clothes out of paper and glue helps them learn, then that is good, though I don't think the Wampanoag used feathers sticking up in headbands. If the if the Wampanoag Nation is not offended by the little children dressing up, then it should be allowed. But if they are, it shouldn't be done any more. Has anybody asked them?

p.s. With reverence to the histories and feelings of the many tribes and nations of people who were here before the Europeans arrived, I don't think a Seneca or any other tribe has a say in this matter. This is not their history being re-enacted.

[Eerietown]

Only in this confederate California town would one expect to see backlash of the nature involved in this discussion. California has teaching standards and educational standards. The dress-up is a bastardization of primary education. It is not a state-relevant lesson, only a peculiar institution in this town. It is a shame that people are so protective of a flimsy lesson when children could be learning something that will prepare them for 1st grade. Kindergarten is no longer focused on crayola conceptions of the world. American kids will fail when going up against the rigorously educated students of the world who speak multiple languages, understand critical issues in history, and are able to negotiate the discovery of new knowledge against outdated rituals such as this one. Too many sentimental parents who want to prevent their kids from learning and responding to relevant and new historical information, have too much influence on public education--they will often turn to violence and simplistic logic rather than learning something themselves. Too many of these overly-sentimental parents think that school is where children are supposed to learn to be American by definitions no longer helpful to their own poor children who will enter the global era having to educate their parents and more than likely suffering because of parents who are clinging to such ridiculous ideas as continuing in the steps of ignorance instead of learning something new. Kindergarten is no longer what it used to be. The world is changing. Those who expect teachers and schools to backdate their lessons to give parents what they want and not what their children need, are self-serving and ignorant and clearly not even attempting to be a role model for their children to learn what it may mean for them to enter a world where Thanksgiving is a local celebration not a worldwide tradition. Let these children leave behind the useless superficial rituals such as dressing as Pilgrims and Indians, and let them begin to fulfill their destinies as thinking members of a society where they will have to solve the direst problems of the environmental collapse, the economic collapse, and other challenges they are inheriting. I am a lifelong teacher, and all teachers know and share this experience: the ones hardest to educate are not the kids themselves but their parents. If anyone saw the photo of the old guy in a so-called Indian headdress that opens this article can see this case illustrated perfectly. Parents are sometimes the biggest burden and barrier a child has to deal with in their attempt to master school lessons, become abstract thinkers, and deal with the pressing problems which will require totally new solutions which their parent's generation will more than likely stymie and stop. Poor children whose parents encouraged them to defy the community lesson and dress-up anyway. Poor children--they will probably have to carry those parent's ignorance on their backs the rest of their lives. They are the biggest losers in this and its all in the name of love.

[Justadad]

I was there today and the reason why the parents were very upset by the protestors was due to the signs that they held. "Don’t Celebrate Genocide" and "Racists". Why would you be calling the children racists? Are children born racists? This professor is the one who is teaching racism to her child and she wants to force her views onto everyone else. I'm sorry I don't agree with your views that we should be teaching 5 year olds what happened after this event between the Indians and the Pilgrims. The event was only the celebration of the thanksgiving event nothing more and nothing less. Get over it and move on. This tradition will continue next year and the year after. The Superintendant made the wrong the decision and the parents called him out on it. The only people that looked foolish were the protestors and the Superintendant.

[RK]

It is unfortunate that white racism continues to exist in America today. Perhaps if folks would take the time to educate themselves on the history of the nation (which is not only in the past, but continues in the present as evidenced by this current example) and become familiar with their own cultural background, they would be less inclined to trample on natives. Then again, the racist rant exhibited the parents who insisted on dressing like Indians only shows how distant they are from themselves.

[birdie]

To the parents who want their children to dress up as "Indians"- - -

I ask you to try to think about the situation from another perspective...a Native American child's perspective. I am going to tell you this so you can no longer be naive of the consequences of such activities. And you can then make an informed conscious decision.

The truth is it hurts.

Children will put those "costumes" on and pretend...pretend to be an Indian. Talk in a strange voice, make funny noises, maybe run around & try to make rain or even try to "kill" the Indian. (This is fact- not an imaginary situation. It happened to me, to my siblings, and now my children.)

Imagine how that feels to a child who has been brought up to honor their heritage and culture.

I know how it feels- it makes you feel scared, invisible, embarrassed, ashamed, alienated, alone...it does hurt.

Hate & racism hurts, but ignorance can hurt just as much.
But now there is no room for ignorance once you have been informed.

[TurkeyTime]

I am also Tribal and I remember dressing up and enjoying that experience. Here's the thing, my parents provided the proper educational setting for this topic for me and my brothers. Why not do the same? Let the pleasures of youth live as long as it can. This is America and there is plenty of time for OUR young to become jaded!

For those who want a little more, or maybe you started the jade process, here is the start of an article by Mr. Ely. It's interesting! Enjoy! Or not!

Native blood: the truth behind the myth of `Thanksgiving Day'

By Mike Ely

It is a deep thing that people still celebrate the survival of the early colonists at Plymouth — by giving thanks to the Christian God who supposedly protected and championed the European invasion. The real meaning of all that, then and now, needs to be continually excavated. The myths and lies that surround the past are constantly draped over the horrors and tortures of our present.

Every schoolchild in the United States has been taught that the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony invited the local Indians to a major harvest feast after surviving their first bitter year in New England. But the real history of Thanksgiving is a story of the murder of indigenous people and the theft of their land by European colonialists–and of the ruthless ways of capitalism.

[Thanks_But_No_Thanks]

While I understand the often overlooked history between Native Americans and Pilgrims, we are talking about five year olds for crying out loud. Let the children enjoy the festivities and when they get older and can decide for themselves, then they can frown upon or embrace this tradition. Besides, isn't kindergarten partly about learning the golden rule of sharing? Cut out another creative festivity from an already bland curriculum? Thanks but no thanks.

[Kate H]

What a shame that a few spoil sports have to ruin everybody’s fun. I am sick to death of the politically correct and I can’t wait for the day when they go quietly into the night because everyone else is fed up with their BS!
We live in a town near a large Indian reservation and the Indian community here is proud to share their heritage with the other locals. My eight year old daughter and several of her friends dressed up as Indians for Halloween and you didn’t hear any of the parents complaining at our school. How refreshing.
Maybe the people that have a problem with kindergarteners dressing up as pilgrims and Indians for Thanksgiving should home school their kids!

[Fred flint]

This is what happens when Intellectuals take over. Although this is a sideshow, it illustrates the warped view of the world and especially of these GREAT United States, that they have. These types of battles are occurring all over the country, and are undermining our culture and country. Stand up to them now before it becomes our "new" culture. Checkout in youtube "Crying Over Dead Trees", the elitist at this school are cut from the same cloth.

[ArdisK]

Please parents, don't put your ridiculous, petty protestations on your children.
Let the kids decide what they want to do!
I am sure that most would decide they want to do the traditional celebration. The only ones who would vote against it are the ones who have been "brainwashed" by their parents.