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Bad History Destroys Traditions...

10/24/2011

 
An elementary school principal in Somerville, Mass is making national headlines because of her stance against the celebrating of fall holidays.  

Ann Foley, principal at Kennedy School, has argued that celebrating Halloween and even Thanksgiving is insensitive and even morally wrong.  According to Foley and the Somerville Superintendant Tony Pierantozzi, “Halloween is problematic” and should not be celebrated because it has its origins in witchcraft, is un-American, and sends a dangerous message to our children. Unfortunately, their logic is flawed with bad history…  

Halloween’s origins actually lie in the Ancient Celtic ritual of Samhain and goes back over 2,000 years.  The Celts of Ireland, England, and Northern France celebrated the New Year on what is now November 1st, and as such they believed that October 31st had special significance.  They believed that during the evening of the October 31st the
boundary between the world of the living and that of the dead became blurred and contact was possible between the two worlds.  Later in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st  as “All Saints’ Day” and the day before as “All Hallows’ Eve”… so if America was formed on Christian (even if not Catholic) ideals by the Founding Fathers, then one can argue that Halloween is by definition an American tradition.

Foley’s argument against Thanksgiving is that because of the atrocities committed by Columbus, it is irresponsible to celebrate a holiday which stems from his voyages of discovery. Once again, history is not on Foley’s side…

While Columbus did indeed commit acts of savagery against the native populations of the “New World”, he did so approximately 130 years before the first known “Thanksgiving” celebration which occurred between the Plymouth
colonists (the Mayflower people) and the native Wampanoag Indians in 1621.  And Columbus never steped foot on North America, thus could not do any harm to the natives of New England.  

I beg the powers that be… if you insist on destroying our traditions, at least do so with reasons based in accurate history. 


Emma period 6
10/25/2011 02:54:15 am

I agree that if you are trying to stop celebrating a holiday, it should be with accurate history. I do not think that the principal of that school should forbid her students to celebrate the holidays. Halloween is a time to be what you are not, and eat candy and have fun! Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks to your family, friends, and others for things they have done for you. I mean, its not like someone has not done something for the principal? And its not like she doesnt want to celebrate having candy, and her students having fun every once in a while...

Kyle Period 4
10/25/2011 05:36:49 am

I think this is so stupid. Why would Ann Foley want to destroy American traditions like this? Also, she don't even have the right information. This person is a total idiot, she has know idea what she's talking about. Halloween is a holiday, and it doesn't have origins with witchcraft. How can getting dressed up and getting candy at peoples doors be originating with witchcraft? I mean Halloween is one thing but Thanksgiving, I mean come on. I don't like Columbus one bit either, but he didn't even step on North American soil. Ann Foley has know idea what she is talking about, and we should keep celebrating these holidays.

Jin Period4
10/25/2011 05:47:13 am

I totally agree with what Mr.X said. This Ann lady should get her facts straight before she decides something like this. Just because she does not want to celebrate these holidays, it does not mean she should ruin it for everyone else. So what if they were immorally wrong(which they are not!)? If people want to celebrate it, then let them. Its never been a problem before, so do not pick a fight with it. She's just asking for her house to be egged.

Jessica Period 2
10/25/2011 05:59:00 am

I honestly think people spend a lot of their time just looking for things to argue and complain about. Most people who have a problem with certain traditions simply ignore them and go about their own business. Why make a big deal about it? This woman clearly has WAY too much free time if she's trying to get rid of holidays that have been around for hundreds of years. Not only this, but she's clearly stupid. She's trying to argue and get rid of something that she obviously knows NOTHING about.

Julia per.6
10/25/2011 07:04:08 am

My thoery is that these people didn't get enough or good candy when they were young. Seriously.
Anyway. If you are trying to stop something, please, do your research. People these days are protesting against things (Occupy Providence) they know nothing about or people are trying to stop something without doing their research.
My little sister says "She's CRAZY!!" I totally agree with her.

Shailin Period 6
10/25/2011 07:25:25 am

I would have been embarrassed if I came out with wrong information. These teachers are against these fall holidays, they might as well have the right info. Which in my opinion, I don't think there is any reason to be against these holidays.

dana period 6
10/25/2011 09:01:42 am

Ok then. Well this showes why we pay attention in history class. Some people think that history is stuff about dead people. In a way it is, but, what happened in the past effects everyday life. Columbus was not in America at all, he landed in Cuba. The pilgrems landed in Massachussets 130 years later. They are much farther north than Cuba and Columbus for Spain not England. Halloween was a day to celebrate the new year in many places. Although it was called Hallow's eve. Many people upheld this tradition. It is creepy for little kids because they think it is real, sometimes.

Victoria period 6
10/25/2011 09:55:09 am

This teacher clearly was not paying attention in her history classes. The poor lady must realize by now that she has only made a fool of herself instead of proving her very out of the ordinary point. What was she thinking when she decided that Halloween and Thanksgiving were not American holidays? I mean really, think about it. Not to mention during the time of the first Thanksgiving the Native Americans and the English were getting along just fine and Columbus did not have anything to do with it. In my opinion I think that it would be smart to look into the history of a subject before I would go around trying to put an end to it.

Heather Period 1
10/25/2011 09:59:03 am

I think this principal is taking this a little too far and overreacting. Halloween is fun for kids, they get to dress up and get candy. Also, Thanksgiving is a happy time for families, they get to all come together and eat lots of good food!. I think this is people just being dificult.

Julianna Period 2
10/25/2011 10:29:10 am

I think this principal is just a complete idiot. It's almost like she thinks she's the King and now can make her own decisions about everything. It's okay to have an opinion, but this principal is going way to far. What really makes me laugh is the fact that she isn't even stating history facts accurately. She says Halloween and Thanksgiving aren't American. How did this women graduate high school? Amy Foley is being a complete jerk about these holidays. They've been around forever, and always will be. Why did this princess wake up one day and think that she had a say if they stayed or were abolished? She must be losing her mind!

Lexi Period 1
10/25/2011 11:27:05 am

I feel that this is just ridiculous. You are not going to stop a traditional celebration that has been going on for a very long time. Another thing if you are going to try and stop a holiday you should give correct information. So now this woman sounds like she does not know what she is talking about and she seems like a jerk.

Britney Period 1
10/25/2011 02:00:08 pm

This is ridiculous. I think some people will just find something wrong with anything just because they can. I also think that people should get their facts straight before trying to change American traditions and the way we celebrate American history.

lillian period 6
10/25/2011 10:00:42 pm

I do not agree with this principal. You should definately not tell students they can't celebrate a holiday they have always celebrated. They are American holidays, so they are allowed to be celebrated. The principal should have done research before saying that the holidays have nothing to do with American History, vecasue they are part of our history.

michael period 6
10/25/2011 11:14:06 pm

i think it's pretty funny that teachers don't even know history when that is what they could teach! i'd be afraid to show my face in school if I was either of them. but, saying that Thanksgiving and Halloween shouldn't be celebrated is their own opinion, and plus they have no good reasons to back it up, since their reasons are completely wrong

Shawn Period 3
10/26/2011 01:00:29 am

It's stupid for an elementary school principal to take a fun tradition from kids away. And she doesn't even have her facts right so it's just making her look stupid

Monica Davtian
10/26/2011 05:10:53 am

Some history class she was in. The has to have atleast by now realzie the mistake she made. Halloween and Thanksgiving are very much so American Holidays! Next time anoyone tries to "put an end" to something ... make sure you have information or history behind it, to back it up. Otherwise you will just embarass yourself.

Rebecca Period 6
10/26/2011 05:45:41 am

Even if Halloween wasn't started in America, does it really matter? It makes little kids happy. Why would you want to take that away? You dress up, and get candy. I don't think that's too harmful.

faith period 4 link
10/26/2011 06:18:06 am

i think this is so ridiculous. why would someone want to ruin american holidays. this lady doesnt have her facts right and shes a teacher.

Greg Period 6
10/26/2011 08:02:24 am

I understand why some people would want to take Halloween away from schools. Because not everyone agrees with it. But not everyone believes in half the things they teach us in school... are we going to take that away too? i dont know.. possibly. But all im saying is that if they take this away it is going to start a ripple effect and then kids will have nothing. Moral of the story... not everyone is going to be happy with everything all the time... deal with it.

Sarah period 6
10/26/2011 10:51:48 am

Yikes, that's embarrassing, to come out with the wrong info.. These teachers obviously don't know what they're talking about. Kids look foreward to Halloween and Thanksgiving every year. Why would you want to take it away ? If someone's trying to get rid of something, they should back up there stuff with the right information.

Austin period 3
10/27/2011 04:53:45 am

This principal is a joke. Not only does he want to get rid of a holiday that people have celebrated for hundreds of years and he can't even give proper history as a reason for it. The fact that he can sit there and tell a kid no is horrible because he is backing it up with false history. I believe that these holidays are perfectly fine and they should be able to decorate and celebrate any holiday they please.

Haley p.2
10/27/2011 06:24:27 am

If they had approached the situation with valid facts then thats a different story. I understand that some people may not agree with ideas and concepts of halloween but to take it away is not right. I think they just wanted something to complain about but then when they couldnt back up their reasons they started making stuff up. I think taking away halloween and thanksgiving is rediculous, period, end of story.

Sam 3
10/27/2011 06:35:37 am

Okay, are you trying to tell me that Sanat Claus isn't real? And neither is the Easter bunny? But yet we can dress up for Halloween. That is weird. Why take away the fun holidays when kids are actually learning about them and their history?

Dominique Period 4
10/27/2011 07:38:59 am

These holidays are important American traditions. We should continue to celebrate them. If someone doesn't like it, then they don't have to celebrate. Why ruin it for everyone else? Teachers should at least have the correct information.

Anneliese period 6
10/27/2011 09:56:39 am

I think this principal is ridiculous. To take away holidays is just wrong, and she doesn't even have her facts right. People should celebrate the holidays they want to.

Brianna period 1
10/27/2011 10:13:43 am

This is a little bit ridiculous. Halloween is a fun time for everyone and just because this lady doesn't think it is right for us to be celebrating it, doesn't really matter. These holidays are part of our American tradition, things that we have all grown up with. It is a time that brings together family and friends. This woman doesn't really have any facts, just opinion so.... The principal is trying to take away a fun tradition!

Kayla Period 3
10/27/2011 11:09:19 am

Halloween today is not even celebrated as an event that happened in history. Children just go out and get candy. There is nothing really evil about that! Thanksgiving is more of a holiday that connects to its history. Foley's argument did not make any sense. She should not make any arguments towards anything until she knows Thanksgiving did not involve Christopher Columbus.

Ehamm per. 2
10/27/2011 11:45:53 pm

Ann Foley is the prime example of a women who deserves to be punched in the jaw. She is a grumpy old women who is just madd at everyone else because she has no one to share her holidays with. Clearly she is tired of feeling miserable alone so she wants all the little kids out there who look forward to these holidays each year, to feel miserable too. She is basing her opinions on facts that she has made up in her own head to make her argument sound better. Before she tries to ruin everyones holidays, she should learn to base her arguements on real facts.

Nikkii Period 6
10/28/2011 12:12:30 am

I believe everyone has a right to speak their mind. After all, freedom of speech is one of the most well-known amendments we have to the Constitution today. However, when a person forces their opinion on others, they become wrong. Just because you think Halloween or Thanksgiving is a useless holiday does not mean that it will stop being celebrated or declared a holiday. If you feel this way, do not participate. You do not need to make a big deal about it like Ann had. Also, like Mr. X said, use accurate information to back your opinions. There were so many flaws in Ann Foley’s reasoning. This also reminds me of the teacher in the earlier posts that became popular in the news because he believed that saying “God bless you” was inappropriate and wrong. Why are so many teachers crazy?

Danielle Period 3
10/28/2011 02:16:49 am

I agree with what you have to say. No one should stop a child from learning about holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving I mean they'll learn it anyway from parents but it's pretty stupid that she'd go that far without the facts.

Jesse period 3
10/28/2011 02:16:53 am

Those teachers don't know what they're talking about. Thats probably going to be a problem since they're teachers I'm glad I don't go to school there.

Mel Per 2
10/28/2011 04:46:05 am

This principal needs to get her facts straight. Not celebrating fall holidays is her choice but she has no right to try to force others to do so if she is. Making a valid argument as to why these holidays should not be celebrated would be a lot more effective if she knew what she was talking about. Maybe if she learns more about history, she can make a better argument for herself.

Sara Per 2
10/28/2011 05:10:26 am

What?! Is this girl kidding right now... leave halloween alone. No need to rain on everyone's parade, halloween is clearly the best holiday and she's trying to ruin it. Good thing I don't go to this school! Why is she even a teacher if she doesn't know the roots of halloween?! Especially an elementary school teacher?! Why are you working with kids?! and yet hate halloween. I'm a little confused right now! Other than the faact that she deff needs to brush up on her history.

Meghan P4
10/28/2011 05:19:00 am

HAH! Its ridicules what people are doing these days, quite extreme. And she could have at least gotten her facts right!

Tayla Period 1
10/28/2011 05:28:54 am

I think this is ridiculous. Halloween is a time for kids to have fun and get candy and look silly. And thanksgiving is a time of thanks. this principal is way out of line

Alexis Per 1
10/28/2011 06:15:43 am

this lady should research about what she's talking about cause im pretty sure X told the facts and truth about the origins of these holidays..

halloween... some people are against it because of like the sense of witchcraft and stuff but it IS a tradition in america and most people don't think at all about that side of it. to us its just a fun holiday where you dress up with your friends and get candy, whats wrong with that?

and for thanksgiving... dude how is there any controversy over this holiday at all; we're giving thanks.... to God. is that morally wrong or..

it's just a warm embracing time of year where family can get together and eat and have no worries just greatfulness

Vence Period 6
10/28/2011 10:08:12 am

I don't really see what's wrong with Halloween. It's a time for fun, frights and candy. Second how is Thanksgiving wrong to Foley. Maybe some more research would change her look on the holidays.

Erin Period 1
10/28/2011 11:40:50 am

I think before Foley even opened her mouth she should have done some research. They hold tradition. Halloween and Thanksgiving have been around for hundreds of years. They're harmless holidays, and if she doesn't believe in them she can live her life as any other day during Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Rakel period 1
10/28/2011 12:59:07 pm

I think it's just weird that they want to try and ruin holidays with things that aren't even right. They really should check things out and learn about their own history.

Adam Period 3
10/29/2011 01:34:00 am

I don't know what this teacher was thinking and how she even thought this was an Ok thing to do. I also find it funny how she was wrong about some of her history. I actually just learned that Christopher Columbus never set foot on the US.

Lindsay Period 1
10/31/2011 07:22:11 am

The comment that these holidays are "un-american" is just stupid and ignorant. Something that is labeled as "American" was decided by us, americans. We have been celebrating Halloween forever and always will be!

Deveny Period 6
11/3/2011 09:52:39 pm

This is actually pretty funny. Even though she has authority over in this school she does not run the country and can not ban national holidays, ecspecially if she does not have the correct historical information. Instead of going of saying all of these "facts" she should have atleasat took her time and done some research to make her opinion at least look educated.

Cody period 6
11/4/2011 01:19:09 pm

It is completely wrong for this principal to do this, she can have her beief's but to bring it into the school is deffinately not appropriate.

Cody period 3** ^^
11/4/2011 01:22:53 pm


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